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Most of us have drawers full of screen printed t-shirts. Screen printing is used to design shirts and convey a message, memory, confesses the love for something, ran in a charity event, show your favorite band - really anything you dream about can be screen-printed onto a shirt.

Many have us have dozens of screen-printed T-shirts on the drawer, however very few can explain what is screen printing and how it works. So have ever wondered the process that your T-shirts go through to get that amazing print that you like? If yes then today you are in the right place because, in this article, we are going to take you through that amazing journey to help you know more about screen printing.

What is Screen Printing?

Popularly referred to as silk screening, screen printing is actually a printing technique where images are applied to products such as the poster, t-shirts, wood, etc. among others. Anything that needs to be printed on can be screen printed if you have a big enough screen. It is a very simple process but it requires skill, experience and use of the right equipment to get the process right.

The process of screen printing involves taking mesh that is stretched over a frame and burning it to create the stencil. The area that has been stenciled will remain open mesh while on the area that is not stenciled is filled material that is non-porous. The mesh is then laid over the material to be printed on and filled with ink. Then you use a special tool called a squeegee to help push the ink via the open area of the mesh to the material to be printed thus creating the desired image.

This process is the same in all types of screen printing, the only difference only comes depending on the type of ink that has been used, the effect that it has rendered, and the surface printed on. When screen printing is done, one color is applied at a time. This means that the cost of screen printing will increase with every additional color. For instance, a design with 5 colors will need 5 screens.

How Does Screen Printing Work?

The screen printing process actually begins with the artwork. The quality and uniqueness of the final work will depend on the art. This is also the stage where you get to decide the number of colors of ink that you will use and where each color will go. As said earlier, more colors used means more cost and more time consumed because each color will require its own unique screen.

Once you are done with the artwork, the next process is to create the quality film positive of your artwork then use them to create a screen. The screen usually contains polyester mesh that is stretched into an aluminum frame. The mesh will have areas where the ink cannot penetrate and areas where the ink can penetrate.

Once you are done creating the screen, the next part of the printing process is to line up the printed material on the object you want to print on. The printed material must be lined up correctly before the ink is forced via the opening in the mesh to print the design to the material with an aid of an ink or else the design won’t be aligned correctly.

Once the printing is complete, place the printed material somewhere clean and let it dry.

Different Types of Screen Printing:

• Plastisol - This is one of the most popular types of screen printing. Plastisol is actually a suspension of the PVC particles that increase in size and flexibility. Plastisol is commonly used in the production of the garment because it usually gives quality image clarity. However, some people complain the Plastisol has a plastic appearance that they don’t like.
• Flocking- Flocking is a type of screen printing where glue is used to create an image. A foil is also used to help bring shiny appearance to the printed design.
• Discharge inks - Suitable bleaching agent is applied to water-based inks to remove the color from the garment so that the desired pigment settles on a neutral color. The discharge ink always works by altering the existing dyes in the garment to brighten them.
• Water-based ink - Unlike Plastisol screen printing, water-based usually give more penetration to the fabric. As a result, it is usually recommended for people who are looking for softer results.

In conclusion, from the above information, it is clear that screen printing is actually a simple process but requires skill, experience and use of the right equipment to get quality results. Although the screen printing process is the same, there are different types of screen printing that you can use to get the result that you are looking for.

 Whether it’s a logo on a hat, or lettering on a jacket, custom embroidery is a great way to set yourself apart from the crowd. Custom embroidered polos are not just for the casual golfer. Wow your friends with your very own embroidered polos. Pick your favorite brand garment and let us do the rest! Hoodies, Cardigans, Zip-Ups, Track Jackets & more! Let us embroider your outerwear to keep you rocking' the style all year long. 

Embroidery involves stitching a thread into a product to create the logo. The result is typically a more professional look than screen printing and tends to also be more durable. Corporate apparel, custom company beanies, and golf shirts are all examples of items that can be embroidered. The price depends upon factors including the type of embroidery machine being used. For example, some have multiple heads that can embroider several pieces simultaneously. The overhead cost might be a little bit more, and that will be passed down to you when you place your order, but these machines typically save you money in the long run if you are embroidering a large number of items. The pricing also depends on the number of stitches in your logo.

Embroidery is a classy way to customize your corporate apparel and promotional items because people tend to associate embroidered products with something that’s handmade. The result is a clean look that makes your logo tangible. Unlike paint or ink, embroidery doesn’t fade, so if you’re washing it over and over again, it is likely to hold up better than a screen-printed piece of clothing.

In this digital age, embroidery is done using advanced software and high-tech machinery. The following takes place to create embroidered promotional products:

• Step One: A design, logo, or any other artwork is scanned and loaded onto a computer.
• Step Two: An operator presses a frame around the imprint area and inserts the fabric under the needle in the machine.
• Step Three: A mechanized needle goes across the material at a rapid pace, putting each stitch into place.
• Step Four: Each thread color is stitched individually until the logo or design is complete.
• Step Five: A technician snips off any excess thread and checks for inconsistencies in the embroidered design.
• Step Six: The end result is a raised, textured look.

This process might surprise you. After all, when you think of embroidery your mind might automatically go to a grandmother sitting in a rocking chair with her needles. However, this digital method is much more efficient and can produce a high volume of embroidered products at a fast rate. In fact, many factories have multiple machines working at the same time!

Firstly, what is sublimation printing? Sublimation printing is a popular method of printing which aims at transferring a design from sublimation paper onto a piece of fabric or material by using pressure and heat (between 350 – 400 degrees). Changing the solid particles of the ink into a gaseous state, it is an easy and cost-effective way of adding personalization to products that is used by both companies and people at home.

The high-quality end product of sublimation printing has resulted in its popularity increased over the past few years. However, like all forms of printing, it is essential that you know how to create the designs (by watching tutorials or reading guides like this one) before you try it for yourself. If you are wondering how does sublimation printing work, read the explanation below to help better understand what the process entails.

If the process is done incorrectly, it can create designs that have white creases on them or ghosting patterns. This can cause you to lose both time and money. You should always test out a few designs before doing it in bulk, to get more familiar with the machines and how the designs will work on the fabric. Try with a simple design to start with, rather than a design that covers all of the fabric. Once you have gotten used to it, you can start experimenting with more detailed creations.

So how does sublimation printing work? After you have chosen your design, you should use a sublimation printer to print it out onto the special paper. The design is then printed onto the fabric, by either using a heat press or (if you are doing it at home) by applying pressure and putting it into the oven.

You will have to use a transfer paper (usually sublimation paper) so that the design transfers onto the fabric. Bringing the ink and the fabric together, the ink is embedded and therefore will remain more vibrant for longer (in comparison to other printing processes). The heat in the press or the oven opens the fabric’s pores up, whilst the pressure that’s put onto the fabric cools the ink down – turning it into a solid form. The press can then be released and the paper gently taken off of the shirt or mug (or whatever object that you have used).

A simple process once mastered, it can be inexpensively be recreated at home with the help of a compact sublimation printer and a heat press. If you’ve ever wanted to create designs that stand out from the crowd, this is an efficient and creative way of doing so.