Screen Printing
Screen Printing in Edinburgh
Garment and Fabric Screen Printing
Many organisations have caught on to the advantages of screen printing as a statement-making trend. From chain stores and independents to universities and schools, screen-printing offers an inexpensive and versatile method of bringing your designs to life.
Your image will be separated into different colours and each colour will have its own separation, which will be printed out onto a clear film in black ink. Each colour of your design requires a separate screen. Screens are metal or wooden frames stretched with a nylon mesh. The screens are coated with a photosensitive emulsion, dried and then placed on top of the artwork and exposed to light. The screens are then rinsed with water. The printed areas where the light could not penetrate remain soft and wash away, leaving a negative image. The prepared screens are then set up so each colour will print in exactly the right place . Plastisol or water based ink is applied to the garment through the screen mesh using a rubber bladed squeegee leaving the desired image on the garment. The colours are printed one at a time until the image is complete
Plastisol inks have a high opacity producing bright, vibrant prints with superb durability. Water based inks produce a softer feel but are best suited to white or light coloured garments. To achieve a wide colour spectrum with limited colours, the 4 colour process can be used (cyan, magenta, yellow and black)
Pros - Once your screens are made, you can print as many garments as you like. The more prints you do, the quicker the set up cost will be absorbed. You also have the option to try out different colours, or combinations of colours within the design
Cons - There is usually a set up charge for each screen of £15. If your design has several colours but you are looking for a small number of garments or garments with lots of different names or numbers , please look at our heat transfer or heat transfer vinyl option. This will probably be more cost effective for you