Screen printing is a classic, versatile, and popular method of applying ink to a variety of products. By forcing ink through a fine mesh screen onto the product, screen printing excels in branding flat objects. It's renowned for its vibrant colours and ability to produce large prints. Here's everything you need to know about screen printing.
What is Screen Printing?
Screen printing, also known as silk screening, is a printing technique that involves pushing ink through a mesh screen onto the surface of a product. Ideal for branding flat or relatively flat objects, this method can yield vibrant, durable results with a unique tactile quality.
Advantages of Screen Printing
- Large Print Areas: Screen printing is well-suited for large print areas on flat products, making it ideal for bold designs.
- PMS Matching: Close Pantone Matching System (PMS) matches are achievable on white or light-coloured products.
- Quick Drying: Most screen print inks dry quickly and products can be shipped immediately after printing.
- Special Inks: Fluorescent, metallic gold, and silver inks are available on select textile products for a premium feel.
- Multi-Colour Printing: Many products allow for tight multi-colour registration, with some products accommodating up to five colours in a single pass.
Limitations of Screen Printing
- PMS Matching on Dark Products: Achieving accurate PMS matches is more challenging on darker products and the matches will only be approximate. In such cases, applying a white base can improve the print quality.
- Variable Data: Screen printing is unable to print variable data such as individual naming.
- Setup Charges: Each colour necessitates its own setup charge, which could increase the overall cost for multi-colour designs.
Artwork Recommendations for Screen Printing
- Vector Format: For the best results, we require artwork to be supplied in an editable vector format (such as EPS, AI, or PDF files).
- Fonts: To avoid any potential issues with font conflicts, we recommend converting fonts to outlines or objects before submission.
If you're unable to adhere to these recommendations, don't worry – our dedicated graphics team is here to help prepare your artwork for screen printing.
In summary, screen printing is a versatile, efficient, and popular method of branding a wide range of products. Despite its limitations, the ability to print large, vibrant designs makes it a great choice for many applications. If you have any questions or wish to discuss your screen printing needs, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.