Screen printing Guide

1. 1. ScreenScreen PrintingPrinting
2. 2. History - beginningsHistory - beginnings • Screen-printing firstScreen-printing first
appeared in aappeared in a recognizable form inrecognizable form in China during the
SongChina during the Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE).Dynasty (960–1279 CE). Japan
and other AsianJapan and other Asian countries adopted thiscountries adopted this
method of printing andmethod of printing and advanced the craft usingadvanced the
craft using it in conjunction with blockit in conjunction with block printing and
paints.printing and paints.
3. 3. History – western introductionHistory – western introduction • Screen-printing was
introduced to WesternScreen-printing was introduced to Western Europe from Asia
sometime in the lateEurope from Asia sometime in the late 1700s, but did not gain
large acceptance1700s, but did not gain large acceptance or use in Europe until silk
mesh was moreor use in Europe until silk mesh was more available for trade from the
east and aavailable for trade from the east and a profitable outlet for the
mediumprofitable outlet for the medium discovered.discovered.
4. 4. History – popularity increasesHistory – popularity increases • Screen-printing was
first patented inScreen-printing was first patented in England by Samuel Simon in
1907. It wasEngland by Samuel Simon in 1907. It was originally used as a popular
method tooriginally used as a popular method to print expensive wall paper, printed
onprint expensive wall paper, printed on linen, silk, and other fine fabrics.
Westernlinen, silk, and other fine fabrics. Western screen printers developed
businessscreen printers developed business policies intended to keep secret
theirpolicies intended to keep secret their workshops' knowledge and
techniques.workshops' knowledge and techniques.
5. 5. • Originally a profitable industrial technology,Originally a profitable industrial
technology, screen printing was eventually adopted by artistsscreen printing was
eventually adopted by artists as an expressive and conveniently repeatableas an
expressive and conveniently repeatable medium for duplication well before the 1900s.
Itmedium for duplication well before the 1900s. It is currently popular both in fine arts
and inis currently popular both in fine arts and in commercial printing, where it is
commonly usedcommercial printing, where it is commonly used to print images on T-
shirts, hats, CDs, DVDs,to print images on T-shirts, hats, CDs, DVDs, ceramics, glass,
polyethylene, polypropylene,ceramics, glass, polyethylene, polypropylene, paper,
metals, and wood.paper, metals, and wood.
6. 6. The process of forcing inkThe process of forcing ink through a porous
fabricthrough a porous fabric and the open areas of aand the open areas of a stencil to
produce anstencil to produce an image.image.
7. 7. Screen Printing ProcessScreen Printing Process
8. 8. 1960’s to present1960’s to present • Credit is generally givenCredit is generally
given to the artist Andyto the artist Andy Warhol for popularizingWarhol for
popularizing screen printingscreen printing identified as serigraphy,identified as
serigraphy, in the United States.in the United States. Warhol is particularlyWarhol is
particularly identified with his 1962identified with his 1962 depiction of
actressdepiction of actress Marilyn Monroe screenMarilyn Monroe screen printed in
garish colors.printed in garish colors.
9. 9. Two terms commonly used:Two terms commonly used: Serigraphy (in the field
ofSerigraphy (in the field of fine arts) and Screenfine arts) and Screen Printing used in
 the graphicPrinting used in the graphic communications industry.communications
industry.
10. 10. Applications for ScreenApplications for Screen Printing:Printing: • PostersPosters
• Plastic bottlesPlastic bottles • Drinking glassesDrinking glasses • Soda bottlesSoda
bottles • Mirrors, metal surfacesMirrors, metal surfaces • WoodWood •
TextilesTextiles • Printed circuit boardsPrinted circuit boards • Product
displaysProduct displays • Vinyl bindersVinyl binders
11. 11. Advantages of Screen PrintingAdvantages of Screen Printing • Images can be
printed on a wide variety ofImages can be printed on a wide variety of
substrates.substrates. • The production process is relatively easy.The production
process is relatively easy. • Capital expenditures are low compared to otherCapital
expenditures are low compared to other printing processes.printing processes. •
Images can be printed with glitter, flock, andImages can be printed with glitter, flock,
and other decorative finishes.other decorative finishes. • The ink film is very resilient
due to the extremeThe ink film is very resilient due to the extreme thickness of the ink
deposit.thickness of the ink deposit.
12. 12. Disadvantages of ScreenDisadvantages of Screen PrintingPrinting • The process is
usually limited to flat, relativelyThe process is usually limited to flat, relatively thin
substrates, such as paper, metal, orthin substrates, such as paper, metal, or
plastic.plastic. • Rate of production is slow.Rate of production is slow. • Ink mileage is
poor.Ink mileage is poor. • Excessive drying times may be necessary.Excessive drying
times may be necessary. • Details and fine line images may be difficult toDetails and
fine line images may be difficult to print.print.
13. 13. Basic tools & Equipment for ScreenBasic tools & Equipment for Screen
Printing:Printing: • FrameFrame • SqueegeeSqueegee • Vacuum Printing
FrameVacuum Printing Frame • Printing TablePrinting Table • Screw DriverScrew
Driver • DividerDivider • HammerHammer • Sharp KnifeSharp Knife
14. 14. FramesFrames  Materials ◦ Wood– less expensive, warps or rots faster ◦
Aluminum– more expensive, durable  Sizes ◦ Labeled according to I.D. (inside
dimension)  Recommended sizes for printing: at least 6 inches beyond.  Image size
at top and bottom: at least 6 inches on each side.  Types ◦ Wooden with groove: made
for attaching fabric with a rope. ◦ Wooden or aluminum without a groove: fabric
attached with glue. ◦ Retensionable aluminum: screen can be tightened repeatedly.
15. 15. FabricsFabrics • Two main functions • Provide support for stencil. • Control ink
flow. • Mesh count: how many opening per inch. • Fine mesh=100 count (ct) up to 500
ct. mesh • More detail and uses less ink; feels softer to touch. • Less likely to smear on
non-absorbent substrates. • Coarse mesh=40 to 100 ct. mesh • Heavy ink deposit (good
for light inks on dark shirts. • Better opacity
16. 16. FabricsFabrics cont…cont… Two general types Multifilament: tiny strands
twisted together Includes: polyester and silk Good for film stencils (like amber
film)—sticks to it better  Monofilament: (mono= one) single strand of thread Good
for liquid emulsion Includes polyester; stainless steel Good for fine detail; easier to
clean than multifilament
17. 17. FabricsFabrics cont…cont… Colored Fabrics: used to reduce unwanted glare
during exposure, called “halation’s.” Halation’s cause distortion around edge of
images.
18. 18. Chemicals Used In Screen Printing Autosol. Photocure Texture. Sp-1300.
Benzene. Carbon tetra chloride Detergent powder Glue(swan Aica) Cold and
clean water
19. 19. Light Sensitive Film For Screen Printing Direct film Indirect film (Pre-
sensitized gelatin film & Pre-sensitized synthetic polymer coated film. Known as five
star film) Indirect film used for indirect stencil making.
20. 20. StencilsStencils (Two Types)(Two Types)  Non-photographic: hand cut (i.e.
amber film, or paper)  Photographic: (light sensitive) photo emulsion (liquid) ◦
Exposure process: Some type of light is used to harden emulsion.  Why does the
image spray out?- The particles in the emulsion that the positive was not covering,
was hardened by the UV light. ◦ Overexposure: results in image NOT spraying out
completely. ◦ Underexposure: results in scuming (an almost invisible film forms on
stencil from the still soft emulsion running across screen as it dries)
21. 21. Stencil Making There are two way of stencil making. Direct process. Indirect
Process
22. 22. Stencil Making of Direct Process In a darkened room or in a room with a yellow
safe light, pour the emulsion into a scoop coater
23. 23. Coat the screen, applying 2 thin coats of emulsion on each side of the screen.
24. 24. If your scoop coater is smaller than the width of your screen, coat as shown in this
slide. Once you have one coat on this side, turn the screen upside down to apply the
second coat. Then apply two thin coats onto the back side of the screen, again flipping
the screen upside down in between coats. Wipe off any excess emulsion that gathers
around the edges.
25. 25. Store the coated screens in a dark room or light-tight box until they are dry.
Screens should dry with the flat side down (the side you used the squeegee on should
be facing up). They need to dry perfectly flat. If the screen is tilted even the slightest
bit, then the emulsion might dry unevenly and run off the screen.
26. 26. If you are coating more than one screen, stack them using small blocks in between
each one.
27. 27. Once the screens are dry they may be put in black plastic garbage bags until you
are ready to expose them
28. 28. Expose the silkscreen with the students’ Film Positives. There are different types
of exposing units. This one is a light table with clear glass and florescent light bulbs.
29. 29. This process involves direct contact exposure. There must be no space between the
Film Positive and the screen. Build a flat that is larger than your image, but small
enough to fit inside the screen to ensure direct contact. Cover the flat in padding and
black fabric to protect the screen.
30. 30. Weigh down the flat with something heavy.
31. 31. After your exposure time is up, rinse the screen on both sides. The emulsion that
was not exposed to light (because it was blocked by the opaque black areas of the Film
Positive) will wash away. Wash the screen until there are very few white bubbles
remaining. Store the screen on a flat surface to dry or use a fan. When dry, screen is
ready to proof.
32. 32. InksInks  Consist of…Consist of… ◦ Pigment--- provides thePigment--- provides
the colorcolor ◦ Vehicle--- gives it “bulk”Vehicle--- gives it “bulk” ◦ Solvent--- makes
it flow, then evaporates, leaving the rest of theSolvent--- makes it flow, then
evaporates, leaving the rest of the ink behindink behind ◦ Modifiers--- examples:
thinners; phoshluorescents; puff agents;Modifiers--- examples: thinners;
phoshluorescents; puff agents; etc.etc.
33. 33. Types of InkTypes of Ink Conventional– dry by air Water based Solvent
based  Non-conventional– cured by “polymerization” Plastisol– cured with heat
(325 degrees); used for absorbent materials only (textiles); won’t work on paper,
 except for heat transfers.  UV (ultraviolet) inks– cured with UV light; for non-
absorbent substrates such as vinyl, and coated papers. Quick, clean method.
34. 34. Inks cont…Inks cont… Process inks vs. spot colors Process inks- ________,
________, _______,________ combined to produce full color prints. Process inks
have less “opacity.” Spot color– one or more colors to improve appearance without
expense of process printing (or could be a special color added to a process print)
35. 35. Squeegees Three main purposes Force ink through mesh “Flood” stroke:
purpose Control ink deposit
36. 36. Squeegees cont…Squeegees cont…  Recommended size:Recommended size: two
inches wider than image widthtwo inches wider than image width
(maximum)(maximum)  Storage:Storage: Blade upBlade up  Blades vary in:Blades
vary in: ◦ Material: vinyl or rubberMaterial: vinyl or rubber ◦ Hardness: durometer
rating (the higher the rating, the stiffer theHardness: durometer rating (the higher the
rating, the stiffer the blade)blade) ◦ Shape:Shape:
37. 37. Squeegee cont…Squeegee cont… Clean-up Water based ink- cleans up with
Water!! Plastisols require __________ (paint thinner) or other specially made ink
cleaning solutions. Liquid (direct) emulsion– remove by degreasing first to get rid of
ink solvents left behind, then apply reclaimer.
38. 38. Potential for Further Development The main focus of further development lies
principally in the plate making sector: • The direct imaging of screens (computer to
screen) will become more and more prevalent, especially in conjunction with rotary
screen printing units for large print runs. • The already available but still little used
filmless stencil production with ink jet printing technology is of particular interest for
large format applications. At approximately 600dpi, the resolution guarantees
sufficiently good print quality even with color gradations.
39. 39. Computer to screen for screen printing • Computer to screen printing is the digital
production of image carriers for screen printing in which the print image data,
controlled directly via the computer, are output onto the stencil or screen. Most
computer to screen systems work using the ink jet technology, in which either heated
wax or ink is applied to the screen. • First the screen must be lined with a closed layer/
emulsion (stencil material). The print image is applied to this coating using ink jet ink
(as a film substitute). This is then followed by the usual exposure to cure the stencil
material. The uncured ink-covered areas of the coating are then washed off with water.
After drying, the stencil/ screen plate is ready for printing.
40. 40. Different type of screen printing process
41. 41. Modern screen printing proces s
42. 42. Terms to Know!Terms to Know!  Scum: Unexpected image which comes from
stencil or plate.  Haze: Generalized faint staining of screen mesh caused photo
stencils, screen filters, printing mixtures and varnishes: cf. ghost.  Fisheye:
Unwanted open area in a photo stencil which prints with the appearance of the eye of a
fish.  Margin: Perimeter of mesh adjacent to the frame of the screen: this non
printing area is closed during printing, either temporarily or permanently, to protect
the mesh and to be used as a printing mix reservoir.  Digital positive: Positive
created and output using a computer.
43. 43.  Artwork: A general term for photographs, drawings, and others materials
prepared to illustrate printed matter.  Heat transfer paper: The substrate used in
thermal transfer printing. The design is first printed on it with inks containing
sublimely dispersed.  Flood stroke: The squeegee motion that deposits a thick layer
of ink on top of the screen printing screen under light pressure. The excessive ink
 prevents the image areas from drying between printing strokes.  Mesh aperture: The
space between the woven threads of screen printing fabric, through which the ink
passes during printing.
44. 44. Screen opener: A chemical, usually in aerosol spray from, used to clear dried-in
areas of a screen printing stencil. Dark reaction: In an unexposed light-sensitive
emulsion or coating, the sloe chemical change that occurs when the material is stored
in an unlighted area. Mesh? Stencil?