Screen printing isn’t as simple as you might think; it involves choosing the right fabric and the right ink. Remember, not all signs are made equally. But before we get into the types of fabrics available for your project, let’s take a closer look at screen printing.
Basically, screen printing is a stencil technique used to transfer a design or text onto a substrate. (You might have heard of screen printing for t-shirts). Screen printing is also known as silk-screen, screen, or serigraphy.
There are three main components to screen printing:
- The Screen: this carries the image
- The Squeegee: Applies the ink through the mesh/screen
- The Ink: the stuff that’s going to make your design
Now that you know what signage screen printing is, you should know that there are different materials you can use to print your next project on. For a substrate, you can can use vinyl, cotton, silk, wood, and a variety of other options. If you’re looking to print banners, then you might want to consider Herculite’s Printer's Choice® Banner Media and 3P products.
Remember, the quality of the substrate you choose to print on will affect the look of your project. So if you're looking for a fabric that is formulated with the highest grades of vinyl – which helps insure printability and consistency – then you might want to check out Herculite’s Printer’s Choice products. Printer’s Choice is formulated for easy sheeting and loading on all types of presses from clamshells to inlines. The surfaces of the products are also specially prepared to maintain consistent dot gain. This brand has been around for 30 years!
Printer’s Choice is also available in a variety of weights, strengths, widths ad colors. Here’s a quick rundown of the features of this great line of screen print fabric:
- Variety of products that range from a 7 oz. short term fabric to an 18 oz. product with maximum durability.
- Readily accept UV and conventional inks.
- Unique Core Process Stability – insures virtually no shrinkage during the drying process.
- Excellent lay flat during the printing process.
- Custom widths and roll sizes available upon request.
- Rapid Response Delivery.
- Made in the USA.
Remember, screen printing is versatile. You can print on posters, paper, even metals and a variety of fabrics. You can also use a palette of colors and not be pressed into a corner with just a few colors that other forms of printing can confine you to. With technological advances, even the ink that can be used is better than it was in the old days. For example, ink can be UV curable.
Also, the production rate of screen printing has improved. For example, the invention of an automatic press has greatly increased the rate of production. (Back in the days, screen printing was done by hand. While this is still something you can do in your garage, this may not be ideal if you have a large order to fill).
So now that you know a little more about screen printing and the substrate options out there, you might want to consider utilizing this technique for your next project
For more information about screen printing and Herculite’s Printer’s Choice substrates visit www.herculite.com/screen-print.
