Screen printing has been with us for hundreds of years, providing businesses, industrialists, entrepreneurs and artists with a convenient and cost-effective means of producing high-quality and vibrant designs across a variety of materials. Well-known for its long-lasting, durable prints and bold colours, screen printing is the method of choice for businesses in need of creative branding solutions.
Screen Image is a major leader in the printing industry, with world-class services designed to meet all of your commercial and branding needs. In this article, we provide a full overview of the popular printing method, how the process is carried out, why it works so well, common uses, main benefits, and more.
What Is Screen Printing?
Also known as silk screening or serigraphy, screen printing is a printing method originating from China that’s been used for centuries with exceptional results. Modern methods use a mesh screen, ink, and a squeegee to effectively transfer a design onto a surface. The method at play revolves around using a stencil or screen to direct layers of ink onto a surface or material to create a particular design.
The first forms of this method were pioneered during the Song dynasty in China, around 960 AD. They were used by creatives and craftsmen to create incredible works of art. For centuries, this method remained popular in China and nearby Japan, only reaching the attention of the West in the 20th century. Despite being late to the party, Europeans and Americans immediately fell in love with it, recognising its ability to produce eye-catching prints efficiently. Today, the love for this printing technique is still alive and well worldwide. The thick layers of ink set down by screen printing allow for far bolder and vibrant designs that outlast alternatives.
How Screen Printing Works
A big part of the reason it’s such a popular choice is its simplicity. Although complex designs can be created, the method remains straightforward and has not changed much since its first inception in 960 AD.
The first, and arguably most essential step, involves absolutely no machinery or equipment; it is the human process of designing the print. The method allows for a great diversity of designs, but its outcomes best favour bold and vibrant ones, which tend to pop and stand out. For screen printing, each colour requires its own screen, so the fewer colours that make up a design, the easier the process is.
Next, the screen and stencil need to be prepared. These screens were traditionally made from silk, but the modern era often opts for more affordable polyester screens. The screen is coated in a light-sensitive emulsion before being placed in a dark room. A transparency of the design is placed over the screen once it’s dried, and then exposed to light. The light reacts to the emulsion and hardens the screen, except for where the design blocks the light. This then allows the unexposed area that makes up the design to be washed, leaving us with a perfect stencil.
After careful alignment, the screen is placed over the surface and is ready to receive ink. A squeegee is used to evenly spread and press the ink across the screen, forcing it through the mesh and into the material in the shape of the design. This entire process is repeated for each separate colour within the design using a fresh screen.
The finishing touch is the drying and curing process, which is needed to let the ink set so that it won’t smudge or run. If it’s just a few items that need curing, a heat or flash gun often suffices. Larger-scale operations tend to favour conveyor dryers, as this is more efficient at handling big batches.
Why Screen Printing Works So Well
Screen printing, once you’re aware of how the process is completed, may come across as quite a labour-intensive process, especially when compared to more modern methods like digital printing. There are, however, many reasons why this age-old method’s popularity still endures into the modern day.
First off, screen-printed designs are very durable, holding their integrity and vibrancy for a very long time. Secondly, the method produces pulsating colours that stand out spectacularly on a range of materials, including wood, PVC plastic, vinyl, fibreboard, and more. Third, it’s something that can be easily scaled to large-scale operations, with the process being easily repeatable across bigger batches. Finally, screen printing is an incredibly cost-effective method of printing, especially for big, bulk orders.
Common Uses of Screen Printing
Screen printing can be used on a wide range of materials and for all sorts of purposes. The versatile nature of the method means you’ll find screen prints on self-adhesive vinyl bumper stickers, decals, license disc holders, reflective vinyl, plastic floor coverings, display stands, and more.
You’ll also find screen-printed designs on posters, billboards and signs, as the vibrant and bold images favoured by the method are great at catching the eyes of passing pedestrians. Some artists even integrate the method into their work, using it not only for its effervescence and durability but also for the unique retro vibe it can add to a piece.
This printing technique also makes an appearance in more commercial and industrial fields. You’ll often see labels, decals and products created with screen-printed designs. The ability to print onto a range of surfaces makes it ideal for promotional items like fridge magnets, coasters, ABS rulers, folders, and more. You will also often see screen prints on boxes and cartons, menus, gift wraps, business cards, and solvent-applied decals.
Benefits and Key Considerations
We can clearly see the benefits that screen printing offers to both small- and large-scale operations. The thick layers of ink result in bold and vibrant, long-lasting colours and designs, and prints can be used on a variety of different materials, including vinyl, fibreboard, PVC plastic, and more. The ink used also effectively binds with surfaces, so prints are resistant to wear and fading. Additionally, customisation and creative effects can be used to give designers a sense of artistic flexibility. All in all, the benefits are plenty.
There are, however, some key considerations to keep in mind. First and foremost, smaller orders are likely to cost more upfront. While this method is best suited for mass-produced and bulk items, it can also be used for one-off orders. In these cases, the costs are steeper per unit than when making large-scale print orders.
Screen-printed designs are bold and vibrant, but not particularly detailed. The mechanics behind the process often don’t allow for finer details and photorealistic imaging created by something like digital printing, which can place the ink drop by drop.
All of that being said, these minor downsides do not diminish the technique as a viable method. They simply prove that, like all things, it is something that is situationally applied. Fortunately, the versatility of this method means that these situations are anything but limited.
Is Screen Printing Right for You?
So, is this the right choice for you? As it depends on a number of factors, here is a checklist to go through when trying to decide on which printing method best suits your needs.
Do you need large quantities of product? If so, this method is ideal for you, as it only becomes more cost-effective with larger batches. While this is very obvious when producing thousands of items, you may see it paying off after only 50 units. As such, this is a great choice for bulk prints.
Do you need durable prints? This is especially important if you’re going to be producing products likely to see a great deal of exposure to the elements, such as billboards, boxes, bumper stickers, licenses, vinyl, floor covers, and a lot more. With this method, prints are far more durable, perfect for frequent use and washing.
Are your intended designs simple or bold? Designs made up of solid colours in high contrast and cut in clean lines are eye-catching and perfect for any kind of branding or promotional material. Remember, screen printing is great for bold and striking colours.
Do you plan on using speciality inks? The modern age offers us a great wealth of possibilities when it comes to ink, including options such as metallic, puff, or even glow-in-the-dark ink.
Why Use Screen Image?
As experienced experts with a proven track record of producing high-quality prints, Screen Image stands out as a reliable and trusted source for all of your printing needs. As a full-service printing business, we offer more than just screen printing, we can also take care of your digital printing needs, as well as labelling and overprinting.
We’re best at offering innovative branding solutions to businesses both in South Africa and across the world, and we have built positive relationships with world-renowned brands such as Nestlé, Good Year, Chiemsee, Red Bull and Old Spice. A team of qualified, experienced staff and high-tech machinery means we can not only produce massive runs, but we’re also able to assist with awkward one-off jobs where a specialist is needed.
From window graphics and vehicle markings to mass producing product labels, we can attend to all of your printing needs. With decades of experience and a motivated workforce, we continue to stand out as leaders of the industry.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, screen printing is a popular, trusted and reliable form of printing. The centuries-old method continues to charm and captivate the modern world. This method uses a time-tested strategy to produce its distinctive designs with a screen bearing a design as a stencil to direct ink being pressed into a material.
From its vibrant designs, durability and versatility to its ease of scalability and affordability at large scales, it’s the trusted and commonly applied method in the modern world. You can see this method being frequently applied in everyday life, from massive promotional billboards to packaging boxes for moving companies, firmly proving its wide versatility. For anyone who needs big batches, durable products, bold designs, speciality inks, or versatile materials, this is the perfect printing method.
At Screen Image, we’re committed to providing reliable and effective printing methods to meet all of your printing needs. We have the equipment, expertise and experience to provide high-quality and trusted print jobs. We’re committed to providing creative branding solutions for businesses, both local and abroad, and our track record is proof.
To learn more about Screen Image or to book your next print job, feel free to give us a call at +27 21 510 0488. You can also contact us via our website, or browse through our services to find what best suits you and your needs!