Design Service - Wedding Brochure - Hen party design Kerry

Screen Printing

Screen printing involves several tactile and precise steps. First, a silouette design is created, either by hand or by computer. The design is then transferred to a mesh screen using light-sensitive emulsion. Exposure to UV light, using a lightbox, hardens the exposed areas, forming a stencil. The screen is then washed and prepared for the printing press. Once the screen is clamped in place (registered) thick ink is added on top. Using a squeegee (see below), the ink is pushed through the stencil onto the material below. This process is repeated for each color, ensuring proper alignment. After printing, the substrate is placed on dry racks to cure the ink.

Screen Printing - Step by step process

Step 1 - Coating the screen

Coat the screen with a light-sensitive emulsion. The emulsion must be evenly spread across the screen, which is then allowed to dry in a dark room to prevent premature exposure
Step 2 - Stencil Design

Using an accetate sheet with clear outlines, ensure the design is in high contrast and converted to black and white. Only the black areas will be transferred onto the screen.
Step 3 - UV Exposure

Expose the design with a strong UV light source. The ultra-violet light hardens the emulsion on clear areas of the design, while the rest of the emulsion remains washout-ready.
Step 4 - Washing Screen

Rinse with water to remove the unhardened emulsion, revealing the stencil design. Ensure that all soft emulsion is removed so that ink can pass through during printing.
Step 5 - Printing with Squeegee

Place the screen on your printing surface, using a squeegee to press the ink through the screen onto the material below. Consistent pressure ensures an even print.
Step 6 - Drying the image

Allow the printed material to dry, then cure it with heat to set the ink permanently. Proper curing ensures the print is durable and can withstand washing and wear over time.