Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About Screen Printing But Were Too Afraid to Ask
But really... what IS screenprinting? For us, screenprinting is undoubtedly an art form (note: the hipster undertone there is unintentional, we swear). The attention to detail that goes into the screenprinting process is crucial - and because we understand the importance of that, we know how to deliver superior quality products. There are a lot of moving parts to the screenprinting process that must fit perfectly together in order to achieve the best end result - take it from us, we know a thing or two!
Screenprinting is...
- Not an exact science
- Best for vibrant designs
- Done in bulk
- Manually handled
How Does screenprinting Work?
Ink + screen (mesh stencil) = screenprinting! Luckily, the screen printing process itself has very little limits on what surfaces can be used to print on. Staying on trend is easy-peasy with this screen printing process, considering all of the awesome ink types available that can manipulate the “look” of the final print. Expert printers (enter Threadbird!) understand the relationships between the various inks, shirt materials, and shirt colors - with this knowledge, we’re able to help achieve the look you’re going for.
Screenprinting - Technically Speaking
One screen (mesh stencil) is used for each color to be printed - screens must be lined up (or registered) and printed on test sheets to ensure that all of the colors line up correctly. Inks are then pushed through the screens one color at a time onto the apparel. Finally, each piece is run through a large dryer to cure the inks.
The Benefits of Screenprinting
More than just shirts. Many people think screenprinting is limited to shirts only - this couldn’t be more false! Here’s the lowdown on what can be screen printed - tote bags/purses, jackets, mouse pads, flags, banners, signs, bandanas, and more.
Achieve custom results. You can get the results you want by manipulating the screenprinting process - we strive to guide our customers through the entire order process in an effort to ensure your expectations are met! Need a faded print on a specific shirt? We’ve got you covered. Need to color match the inks to a very specific color you have in mind? Super easy.
Explore different options. Think you’re limited to a plain old cotton shirt for screenprinting? Think again! There are a ton of great synthetic fabrics out there that work great with screenprinting - polyester, silk, viscose, and more.