What is Screen Printing?

What is Screen Printing?

Screen printing is a method of printing commonly used for bulk orders of printing custom images on fabric. Not to be mistaken with DTG (Direct-To-Garment) Printing, screen printing involves the use of a thin mesh screen to transfer ink to the desired surface.

The first step is to create a negative of the image you want printed on clear film, using black ink that will completely protect the covered areas from UV light exposure. This film is then placed on your mesh screen.

For each color being used in the design, a separate screen must be prepared. Once that's taken care of, an emulsion is applied which will harden during the exposure stage to create the stencil itself.

Place each screen into a UV exposure unit, take them out and wash off the emulsion. At this point, you'll have a screen stencil with the design being the only area on the mesh screen which will allow ink to pass through.

The next step is to place the screen (or screens if you are using multiple colors) onto the T-shirt or other printable material and then to roll ink over the screen. The areas of the screen that weren't affected by the UV exposure, because they were covered by ink on the negative, will not let ink through.

You are left with your printed design!