What is Screen Printing?

We’re sometimes asked if the t shirt printing silkscreen method is what people mean when they talk about screen printing. And, basically, the answer is yes. Screen printing tees and textiles is sometimes referred to as silk screen printing. And does the spelling matter? No, silkscreen printing and silk screen printing are both recognised terms. But whatever you call it, as a print method, it’s an ancient art. And silk screen printed t shirts simply a recent use for it. In essence, a print technique which hasn’t fundamentally changed over centuries. Although, it has obviously been modernised.

The Printing Process.

Clothing screen printing involves applying ink to the garment with a sophisticated stencil. These days, shirt screen printers digitally transfer your design or choice of image to a very fine fabric mesh (the shirt screen) that has been stretched on a frame. Areas not to be printed are blocked to make the mesh into said stencil. Applying pressure using a squeegee, the ink is wiped across this screen. As it finds its way through the unblocked pores on the mesh, the colour is transferred to the surface of the fabric.

Of course, screen print is merely one of many ways to decorate merchandise. For example, dtg printing, where your design is printed straight onto the material (similar to how you print at home with documents). However, the latter is only economical for small amounts. Furthermore, t shirts for screen printing do not need to be all cotton (direct uses thinner, water based ink and therefore works better on cotton). When it comes to screen printing, UK providers such as ourselves agree that it’s often the best option for business printing. And that applies to a wide variety of products. Your silk screen printed t shirts or hoodies, organic tote bag or comfy joggers, they’re all going to look good when they come off the carousel.

What are the types of Screen Printing Inks Used?

Okay, let’s think about ink with screen printed shirts and merchandise. We assess the requirements for your clothes screen printing project and go from there. Choosing the right ink is an important part of the process and depends on the garment and design. Our print runs utilise high quality materials – the best plastisol inks, discharge inks, and waterbased inks. Plus, many more besides. For instance, we offer speciality finishes including metallics, glow-in-the-dark, thermochromic and reflective.

How Screen Printing works

We’re on hand from initial enquiry to the finished screen printed clothing. First, we’ll agree the printing quote and administrative aspects of your order. Next, mock up and approve the artwork. Then, get your order over to the production station and burn the screens. If necessary, help with associated stuff like sourcing the ideal t shirts for screen printing in your circumstances. After that, get the presses spinning and those screen printed shirts start coming off the carousels. Not long, and order delivered.

Advantages of clothing screen printing:

• Low cost for big numbers – when people talk about cheap screen printing, UK printers tend to equate that with higher volumes.
• Stand-out prints – screen printed shirts are superior to those made with most alternative printing methods such as direct, dye sublimation, heat press printing and so on.
• The speediest printing solution – skilled commercial screen printing services can make thousands of garment in a single day.
• Durable designs – your graphic will last, t shirt screen printing creates hard-wearing tees that stand the test of time.

Disadvantages of clothes screen printing:

• Quantity counts – it’s not cost effective for small batches.
• Colour constraints – you can only have 12 colours in artwork.
• Setting up – each colour requires a separate screen.
• Detail dips – not great for complex images such as photographs.