Screen printing is a printing technique that uses a stencil (also known as a die or screen) to transfer ink onto a surface, usually fabric, paper, wood, metal or plastic. It is a versatile technique widely used in the graphic industry, clothing production, art and decoration.
The screen printing process involves several steps:
1. Stencil Preparation: A stencil is created by applying a photosensitive coating to a fabric mesh stretched over a frame. This template contains permeable and non-permeable areas that determine the areas where ink can pass through the mesh.
2. Design Preparation: The desired design is transferred to the template through a light exposure process. Unexposed areas harden, forming a strong stencil, while exposed areas wash away, leaving open spaces through which the ink will pass.
3. Printing: The stencil is placed on the substrate (the surface to be printed) and ink is applied to the top of the screen. A tool called a squeegee is then used to spread the ink over the screen, pressing it through the open areas and transferring it to the substrate. This process is repeated for each color in the design, using a separate template for each color.
4. Drying: Once the ink has been applied, the substrate is allowed to dry to set the print. Depending on the type of ink used, this may involve air drying or heat drying.
Screen printing is prized for its ability to produce high-quality, long-lasting prints with vibrant colors and sharp details. Allows a wide variety of effects and finishes, including solid, gradient, metallic and fluorescent colors. Additionally, it is a flexible technique that can be used on a wide range of materials and substrates, making it a popular choice for mass production of printed products, as well as the creation of unique and original works of art.