What is screen printing?
Date: Aug 26 2024 From: Star Color
Screen printing, as one of the four mainstream printing technologies, uses screen printing as a plate base to produce screen printing plates with images and text through photosensitive plate making methods. Then, with the help of scraper pressure, ink is squeezed from the mesh holes onto the substrate to achieve the replication of image and text information.
The history of screen printing is very early. It is said that there were records of screen printing in humans 2000 years ago. Screen printing is mostly used to print patterns and designs on clothing and fabrics.
After the 18th century, as silk fabrics and screen printing equipment were brought from Asia to Europe by merchants, this technology began to spread throughout Europe. However, it was not until the 20th century that screen printing truly became popular in Europe and North America. At the beginning of the 20th century, with the application of photosensitive emulsions and photosensitive templates, screen printing technology made new developments, allowing images to be transferred to the screen faster and more accurately
The basic principle of screen printingScreen printing technology has the advantages of simple equipment, convenient operation, easy printing and plate making, and low cost. At the same time, it also has strong adaptability, not only for printing on flat surfaces, but also for printing images and text on already formed products.
The main components of screen printing include screen printing plate, scraper, ink, printing table, and substrate. The screen printing plate is the core of printing, and the mesh holes on its graphic and textual parts can pass through ink, while the mesh holes on the non graphic and textual parts act to block ink.
During the printing process, ink is evenly applied to the screen printing plate, and then the scraper moves at a certain angle and pressure on the screen printing plate, squeezing the ink out of the mesh holes in the graphic and text parts and attaching it to the substrate.
The plate making process of screen printingThe plate making process of screen printing is an important guarantee for printing quality.
The plate making methods of screen printing are mainly divided into direct plate making method and indirect plate making method. The direct plate making method is to apply photosensitive material onto a stretched mesh, and then directly perform exposure, development, drying and other processes to produce a screen printing plate. This method is easy to operate and suitable for printing needs of small batches and multiple varieties.
The indirect plate making method involves first exposing the image and text information through media such as film, transferring it to a photosensitive material, and then bonding it with a screen to create a screen printing plate. This method has high accuracy and is suitable for occasions that require high printing quality.
Application areas of screen printingScreen printing plays an important role in modern society with its unique printing method and wide range of applications.
In the industrial field, screen printing is widely used for decoration and identification printing in industries such as household appliances, textiles, ceramics, glass, wall and floor tiles. It can not only achieve large-area and high-precision pattern and text printing, but also adapt to various complex shapes of substrate surfaces, meeting the diverse needs of industrial production.
In the field of art and design, screen printing has become a beloved tool for artists and designers due to its rich color layers and delicate printing effects. Whether it is oil painting, printmaking, or posters and other artistic works, high fidelity replication and dissemination can be achieved through screen printing technology.
Screen printing is also widely used in the production of personalized printed products, such as business cards, T-shirts, cultural shirts, etc.
In the field of commercial advertising, screen printing also plays an important role. It is widely used in commercial advertising platforms such as packaging decoration, outdoor advertising, electrical packaging, cigarette packaging, and liquor packaging.
Technical advantages and development prospects of screen printingScreen printing technology has significant advantages such as large batch size, low price, bright colors, long shelf life, and fast delivery.
These advantages make screen printing stand out among many printing methods and become the preferred printing method in many industries and fields. However, with the advancement of technology and the continuous changes in market demand, screen printing technology is also facing new challenges and opportunities.
On the one hand, we can explore the application of new printing methods and materials, such as metal screen printing technology, water-based inks, etc., to expand the application fields of screen printing and improve printing quality.
On the other hand, the application of digital and intelligent technologies in screen printing can be strengthened, such as introducing intelligent control systems, automated production equipment, etc., to improve production efficiency and reduce costs.
In summary, screen printing, as an important printing method, plays a significant role in modern industry and art design. Its simple technical principle, low usage cost, and wide range of application fields make screen printing unique among many printing methods.
With the increasing awareness of environmental protection and the deepening of the concept of sustainable development, screen printing technology also needs to pay more attention to environmental protection and sustainable development. Environmental impact and resource consumption can be reduced by adopting environmentally friendly inks and plate making materials, optimizing production processes and procedures, and other measures.
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