It’s important to have a good understanding of the various imprint methods used in the promo products industry so that you can make an informed decision about which technique will work best for you and your unique order.

We have already explored the details of DTG printing and embroidery in previous blogs, and today we’re taking it back to the basics. Screen printing is a classic imprint method that has been used for centuries, and it’s still a widely-used option for adding designs to many materials including paper, fabric, plastic, glass and more. Let’s take a look at what screen printing is, its benefits, and the types of orders that are best suited for screen printing.

What is Screen Printing?

Screen printing, sometimes referred to as silkscreen printing, is the act of pushing ink or other coloring agents through a stenciled design on a mesh screen to decorate a medium such as fabric, paper, or other materials.

To create a stencil, the mesh screen is hardened or blocked in all areas other than where the design will be, so that ink will only be deposited in the desired sections. A squeegee is then used to evenly push the coloring agents through the screen and onto the desired areas of the material. Only one color can be imprinted at a time using this method, so for multicolored designs, multiple stencils have to be created and perfectly aligned on top of each other to create a cohesive finished product.

After printing, items are dried, cured, and checked to ensure design quality and durability. Mesh screens, which were originally made of silk but are now most commonly made of polyester fibers, can be washed and reused for future designs.

Screen printing can be done by hand with just a mesh screen and a squeegee, but it is most often done with either a manual, semi-automatic, or fully automatic printing press. Screen printing is one of the most popular imprinting techniques, alongside DTG printing.

Benefits of Screen Printing

Screen printing is an effective way to add designs to a wide variety of materials, in a wide variety of shapes. While some printing methods are only effective for flat surfaces, screen printing is a reliable option for decorating curved and unusually shaped objects such as pens and drinkware.

Screen printed designs tend to provide vivid colors, even when imprinted onto dark fabric and materials. This makes screen printing preferable to DTG printing if you are looking to customize a black or dark-colored garment.

A variety of ink types are available to be used in screen printing, some of which provide an opportunity to stylize your prints in unique ways, such as ‘puff’ inks that give your designs a 3-dimensional appearance, as well as glittery, metallic, or texturized inks. Some inks work better than others on certain materials, so this is a factor that is taken into account when planning the customization of items.

Screen printing allows for the easy customization of large quantities of items, because once created, the same screens can be used over and over again to decorate materials. With a printing press, this process becomes even easier as the screen is held in place while a fresh garment or item is run through the press.

When to Use Screen Printing

Screen printing offers vibrant colors and interesting textures, but because of the complexity of the process, screen printing is best suited for designs that feature a few different colors. Screen printing is an ideal candidate for unusually shaped items like mugs, bowls, writing utensils, etc. and it is also a great option for clothing. If you are placing a large quantity order, screen printing is a fast and efficient option.

We hope this brief dive into the world of screen printing has helped you to understand what it is and when it is best used. Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes articles about the promo industry!