To those that are interested in what the silk screen process entails, Silk screening is the method we use of printing images,words and logos onto T shirts, Hoodies, or HI VIS workwear. It is the process of allowing ink to seep in to a create the image. We specialize in HI VIS safety stripes which you have probably seen a thousand times before on T-shirts Long Sleeves, Sweatshirts and Hoodies.
We Also do Custom Graphics. We have a skilled graphic designer who can create the exact type of file we need for printing. The file type is important it must be a layered vector graphic. Each color must be on a separate layer without overlap. We can do up to 5 colors. Learn more about what can and can’t be silk screened here
I will give you brief rundown of the process
First, we will need to print your image in black on transparent film. Each color is printed on a separate film. (Picture of printed film)
Next, we need a Silk Screen (picture of screen)
Then we thoroughly clean and degrease the screen.
After this they are placed in racks to dry. When drying it is important that the light and humidity be controlled.
When the screens are dry. We then take photo emulsion and coat the screen. We place our screen in an upright printable position. When we are done, we have a smooth, evenly distributed film on both sides of the screen.
Then we place the screen in a dark room and position it upright or hanging so that none of its sides are on the ground. The airflow in the room must be adequate and flowing through the mesh of the screen. It takes a few hours for the emulsion to completely dry. It is important that the drying rack, screens and light table are in a pitch-black dark room. With only a red or yellow bulb.
Once the emulsion has dried, we take the screen and place it face up and wood down on the black fabric. At this point we will need the printed film We then carefully place the transparency on the screen and secure its position We place this on the light table in the dark room. The lighting placement depends on the emulsifier used.
To burn the screen, we turn on the light table and leave it on for 30 – 45 minutes, after which we can turn on other lights. At this point, the transparency should have adhered to the screen.
Now we clean the screen again the screen is thoroughly washed in cool water, removing the emulsion at places where the transparency blocked off the light.
We then wait for the screen to completely dry off before moving on to print the product.
Then off to the machine that looks like an octopus. In this part of the process. We place to product to be screened on an arm. The silkscreen frame is placed over the item with the flat side pressed on the face of the item we are printing with clamps to hold the frame in place.
We squeeze a line of ink on one end, preferably the top of the screen, and then apply pressure to a squeegee pulling it down with the ink at a forty-five-degree angle. This ensures that the ink is evenly distributed across the entire image, covering it for a great result. Repeat the process of pulling the squeegee across the screen from left to right and top to bottom, always spreading ink evenly over the image. Finally, we carefully lift the screen.
Then we run the inked product through the drying machine. After which your product is ready for you.