Screen Printing - The Process
Screen printing is the process of decorating textiles, apparel, and accessories by transferring ink to the item through a silk screen stencil. The designs can range in complexity from one color to potentially hundreds, based on the mixing process used during printing.
At Convicted Printing, we specialize in bulk t-shirt and apparel decorating.
All you need to do is fill out a Custom Quote Request and we will guide you through the rest of the process.
With our dedicated Client Care Representatives, ordering is simple and easy.
At Convicted Printing, we specialize in bulk t-shirt and apparel decorating.
All you need to do is fill out a Custom Quote Request and we will guide you through the rest of the process.
With our dedicated Client Care Representatives, ordering is simple and easy.
The Process - Expanded
Screen printing involves a squeegee pushing an ink through an image on a screen onto the surface to be printed. Although called silk screen printing, the screens now are generally made of polyester and stretched over a wood or metal frame. The screen is coated with a light sensitive emulsion which allows the image to be burned onto the screen using a film positive and a UV exposure unit. There is one screen for each color and location that is printed. The exposed screens are mounted on the press and registered to each other so that the images line up correctly. The screens then are filled with the proper ink and a squeegee pulls the ink across the screen, depositing the ink through the stencil onto the printing surface. After all colors are printed in this manner, the garment is then passed down a conveyor dryer in order to cure the ink properly for a lasting image.
Screen Printing is among the most versatile of graphic processes. Thousands of different types of garments, ad specialties, and promotional items are screen printed. There are eight basic steps for each screen printed job.
Screen Printing is among the most versatile of graphic processes. Thousands of different types of garments, ad specialties, and promotional items are screen printed. There are eight basic steps for each screen printed job.
- CREATE A FILM POSITIVE:
We take your design or one that we have created for you and print via Epson ink jet printers operating with a multi rip onto a translucent film. Our rips give us a very dense image and sharp edges that are required for high quality images. One film is required for each color and location. Please visit ARTWORK REQUIREMENTS for specific instructions for artwork. - EXPOSE SCREENS:
In order to transfer your art onto a screen, the film must be put into contact with a photo sensitive, emulsion coated screen and exposed to UV light. We utilize Richmond Solar Beam exposure units with a good vacuum in order to hold the imaged film in direct contact with the emulsion. These units provide a precise control of all variables that will contribute to good screens and high quality prints. - DEVELOP THE SCREENS:
The exposed screen is then washed with water to remove any emulsion where the positive image appeared on the film. This operation will make a stencil that ink passes through when you print the image. - REGISTER SCREENS AND PRINT GARMENTS:
Printing is the easiest part of the process. You must now register your screens, one for each color and location, to a film positive that is placed on one of the printing pallets. Clamp the screens in place, use the micro registration controls for final adjustment, and print the garment by pulling a precisely sharpened squeegee and ink across the image. - FLASH CURE:
To get a bright, opaque image on dark colored garments, it is often necessary to flash cure or partially cure the ink and then print another layer on top. This print, flash, print technique is also used for multi-color printing on dark garments. - CURE PRINTED GARMENT:
This step fully cures the ink with a conveyor dryer. Getting the proper ink-cure is the key to a long lasting image. Your garment is now complete and ready for further processing, such as folding and bagging, or for delivery to the customer. - RECLAIM AND RETENSION THE SCREEN:
Although the garment is finished, the job is not. You must now remove any ink from the screen and dispose of it under environmentally safe conditions, strip the emulsion from the screen in large dip tanks, remove any haze, degrease the screen, and dry for the next step. The tension of the screen is now checked and adjusted if it has become lessened by the printing process. Correct tension is absolutely necessary for good quality print. - RECOAT THE SCREEN:
The clean screen is now coated with the photo sensitive emulsion in such a way to insure that all mesh is correctly covered with the proper thickness of emulsion. The coated screen is then stored in a climate controlled environment, both temperature, 25 degrees C., and humidity, 50% R.H. The screen is now ready to be put through the next eight step process. These last two steps are the most important in order to maintain a high quality print. They are time consuming, highly controlled processes that separate us from the other, lesser quality competitors.
Screen Printing - Products
|
Products:
T-shirts Long Sleeve Shirts Tank Tops Hoodies Windbreakers Crop Tops Track Suits Polos Shorts Pants Leggings Back Packs Draw String Bags Fanny Packs And More! |
Brands:
Gildan Next Level Bella Canvas Anvil Alstyle Fruit of the Loom A4 Augusta Champion Comfort Colors Dickies Hanes Jerzees Rabbit Skins Ultra Club Port & Company And More! |
Printing Methods Printing:
1-8 color Spot Printing 4 Color Process Printing (Light Garments only) Simulated Process Printing Click here to learn more about each of these methods Inks: Plastisol Discharge Click here to learn more about each of these inks Print Locations: Crest Full Front (Max: 14x18.5) Full Back (Max: 14x18.5) Sleeves Neck tag Yolk Legs And More! |
Basic Pricing Guide
These prices are based on the blanks listed on each picture. Shipping and taxes are not included in price listed. All prices subject to change based on blank product used, distributor price, and actual design(s) needing to be printed.
For a fully accurate custom quote, fill out a request a quote form and a Client Care Representative will reach out to help you.
For a fully accurate custom quote, fill out a request a quote form and a Client Care Representative will reach out to help you.
The Convicted Printing "Value Menu"
Screen Printing - Artwork Requirements
SCREEN PRINTING – IMAGE FILE TYPES ACCEPTED (LISTED IN ORDER BY PREFERENCE):
1) .psd 2) .ai 3) .pdf 4) .tif 5) .png 6) .jpeg
--- All files need to have 300 DPI resolution ---
SCREEN PRINTING – IMAGE SIZING GUIDES
Please send your artwork/images in the size displayed in the “Maximum Print Size” column below that matches the “Style” you need for your order.
1) .psd 2) .ai 3) .pdf 4) .tif 5) .png 6) .jpeg
--- All files need to have 300 DPI resolution ---
SCREEN PRINTING – IMAGE SIZING GUIDES
Please send your artwork/images in the size displayed in the “Maximum Print Size” column below that matches the “Style” you need for your order.
Style / Spot |
Maximum Print Size |
Adult T-Shirts / Crew Sweatshirts (Portrait) |
12.5″ W x 18.5″ H |
Adult T-Shirts / Crew Sweatshirts (Landscape) |
14.5” W x 12.5” H |
ARTWORK SERVICES (EXTRA CHARGES):
In the event of low quality or incorrectly sized submitted art, alteration, cleaning and/or recreation of the image may be required for a properly printed product. Cleaning and/or alteration of images will result in a graphics charge of at least $10. For in depth alterations and/or recreation, price will be determined at time of image submission.
If the file is not print ready, we will notify you of any fees that need to be paid to make sure you get crisp, print ready files for your amazing prints! In the event that an invoice has been paid, but artwork is found to be in need of cleaning/alterations, a separate invoicewill be sent including graphics charges unless Customer can provide corrected images as needed. Please be aware, if Customer uploads incorrectly sized/quality files, this may add time to the turnaround process.
In the event of low quality or incorrectly sized submitted art, alteration, cleaning and/or recreation of the image may be required for a properly printed product. Cleaning and/or alteration of images will result in a graphics charge of at least $10. For in depth alterations and/or recreation, price will be determined at time of image submission.
If the file is not print ready, we will notify you of any fees that need to be paid to make sure you get crisp, print ready files for your amazing prints! In the event that an invoice has been paid, but artwork is found to be in need of cleaning/alterations, a separate invoicewill be sent including graphics charges unless Customer can provide corrected images as needed. Please be aware, if Customer uploads incorrectly sized/quality files, this may add time to the turnaround process.
Screen Printing - Underbasing
While shopping for a screen printer, you may have come across the term “underbase.” To put it simply, an underbase is a first layer of ink printed onto a garment (usually a dark colored garment) in order for all of the other colors to be printed on top and stand out brightly.
For example, if a bright red was printed onto a dark garment (in this example, a black shirt), the ink would look like a brick red due to how the ink sits in the shirt. However, if another layer of red is printed on it, the color would be bright and stand out on top of the first layer that was printed.
Having no underbase allows you to see some of the fabric texture through the ink, while having an underbase gives the image a bright, crisp look.
On all of our orders we automatically apply an underbase to dark garments. If you would like to remove the underbase from your order, simply request it from your Client Care Representative and they will help you with that process.
You can see an example of how white ink on a black garment looks with and without an underbase below:
For example, if a bright red was printed onto a dark garment (in this example, a black shirt), the ink would look like a brick red due to how the ink sits in the shirt. However, if another layer of red is printed on it, the color would be bright and stand out on top of the first layer that was printed.
Having no underbase allows you to see some of the fabric texture through the ink, while having an underbase gives the image a bright, crisp look.
On all of our orders we automatically apply an underbase to dark garments. If you would like to remove the underbase from your order, simply request it from your Client Care Representative and they will help you with that process.
You can see an example of how white ink on a black garment looks with and without an underbase below:
Printer’s Comments:
If you are looking for a grungy/distressed look, we would suggest going without an underbase where possible. But if you want crisp, bright images, go with an underbase (it will be worth it). Having (or not having) an underbase does not affect the longevity of the print.
If you are looking for a grungy/distressed look, we would suggest going without an underbase where possible. But if you want crisp, bright images, go with an underbase (it will be worth it). Having (or not having) an underbase does not affect the longevity of the print.
