Screen Printing Machine Suppliers
Screen Printing Machine Suppliers
Screen printing, also known as silk screening or stencilled printing, is a versatile and inexpensive print method for producing multiple-colored printed goods.screen printing machine suppliers It uses a mesh-like material, ink and a squeegee to create a stencilled image on any surface, most commonly fabric but it can be paper, glass, wood, card or plastic as well.
The screen printing process is actually quite simple.screen printing machine suppliers A design is created on a transparent overlay, which can be drawn or painted directly onto the overlay, photocopied or printed with a normal printer. Then, using a special type of squeegee that has a rubber blade on a handle, ink is pushed through the mesh to the item under the screen where the open areas of the stencil are exposed. The stencil is then wiped clean, leaving the screen ready for the next color to be deposited. Screen printing can be done by hand – and is still used for small runs and for experimental work such as graffiti or art - but it's much more often automated in industrial-scale printing, where large numbers of items need to be produced.
A wide selection of screen printing supplies is available, from a basic washout booth to advanced LED exposure units that offer high-definition and faster exposure times for precision results. Advanced software for color separations and halftone processing ensures accurate screen files for multi-color designs, saving time and ensuring professional results.
Once the design is ready, a mesh screen must be selected and coated with a light-reactive emulsion layer. There are many types of emulsions available, including Diazo and SBQ, which vary in cost, curing speed and suitability for finely detailed work. There are also dual-cure emulsions that combine the advantages of Diazo and SBQ.
The overlay is then exposed to ultraviolet light and the parts of the screen that aren't protected with a negative will be burnt away, creating a 'pin-hole' in the emulsion that can now be filled in with 'block out' pens or tapes. This will prevent the ink from being able to get through the stencilled area of the screen and deposit on the substrate, thus avoiding the creation of an unwanted mark or print.
Once the screens are prepared, they can be loaded with the desired ink, which can be plastisol or water-based. Plastisol inks are beginner-friendly, durable and quick to dry, while water-based inks produce a soft finish that works particularly well on lighter fabrics. A squeegee is used to spread the ink evenly across the screen, and these are available in different sizes, shapes and durometers to suit a variety of printing needs. In addition, a conveyor dryer is essential for curing the inks and improving durability. These are available with programmable temperature control for precision application and even curing.
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