What is screen printing?

Have you heard the words screen printing before and not know what it refers to? Well, this is the perfect moment to change that and tell you all about this and hopefully answer all of your questions.

Screen printing, also known as silk printing, is a method of printing graphics on t shirts using thick inks that lay on top of the garment, instead of soaking the ink into the t-shirt. Today, screen printing is how most companies create customized merchandise (including t-shirts) and several years ago it was the major way to create bulk amounts of custom shirts.

The t shirt screen printing method works better for graphics that only require one or two ink colors and they will pop out amazingly thanks to the thickness of the ink. It is also more affordable than other printing methods, such as DTG, especially for larger quantities.

You can even do screen printing at home since all that you will need is the ink and a mesh stencil, and of course the t shirt you want to print the design on. If you were wondering if this is a manual process, the answer is yes, but it can be easily done in bulk and is not limited to shirts only, you can use it for tote bags, purses, jackets, mousepads, flags, banners, bandanas, signs, and much more.

Additionally, screen printing can be done on different types of fabrics, such as cotton, wool, acrylic, polyester, silk, viscose, jersey.

What is involved in screen printing?

There are several things that are part of the screen-printing process and the first one we’ll explain is the screen itself. Once you are happy with the mockup of the design that will go on your shirt it’s time to begin. We use a screen (like the screen door of a house) that has many tiny little holes in it and is secured on a wooden frame. We cover it with a layer of emulsion that prevents ink from coming through

Then, we create the exact colors your design needs by mixing inks to match your specifications. The ink is very thick (and high-quality) to make your design and its colors pop out. The next part of the process consists of using one screen as a mesh stencil for each color to be printed. They are tested first to see that everything is aligned, and we are ready to do some screen printing!

Check out this video that explains how the mesh for each color is created:

Next, inks are pushed through the screens one color at a time onto the garment and finally, a dryer will cure the inks and there you go! You have your custom screen printed t shirt ready to wear!

Is screen printing or digital printing better?

The best answer is it depends on what you are looking for in your customized apparel. As we explained above, screen printing involves a screen, mesh or stencil where layers of ink are applied on the printing surface, one color at a time. This option is great for designs that require a high level of vibrancy since the thick ink layers will help the colors and design stand out from the fabric.

Digital printing, on the other hand, is a newer process that involves a computer that processes the artwork which is then printed directly onto the garment. Do not confuse digital printing with heat transfer or appliques because in this process the ink adheres directly to the fabric. This option is best for garments that require a lot of detail and for smaller quantities. The ink is applied thinner to achieve more detail and looks better on lighter-colored shirts.

Does screen printing last?

Yes, yes, yes. Screen printing will last for a very long time, or at least as long as the garment lasts under normal use. This is why we believe that this is the best option for a high-quality product for any occasion, whether it is corporate apparel or a 10k-race shirt, this is the best option for bulk orders.

You may want to read our post about 8 things you need to know about screen printing and what things can you can’t add on a custom t-shirt design. And if you are looking for shirts for an event, learn what types of t shirts work best for this!

If you typed “screen printing near me” and found Crooked Monkey, you have made the right choice.

We are a custom apparel and screen-printing company that serve Denver, Las Vegas, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Louisville and Nashville and are more than happy to be part of your creative custom t shirts or garments process.

Head over here to contact us today or check out our premiums site too!