Screen Printing ( Serigraphy )
Screen Printing Process
With roots reaching to ancient Japan and the Fiji Islands, serigraphy is one of the earliest printing methods; however, it wasn't until the early 1900's that it came into industrial use in its present form. Screen printing is a printing process that applies ink directly to a surface by pressing a viscous ink through a fine mesh screen using a squeegee. The process can be applied to continuous web/roll materials or sheets and is not limited to pressure sensitive label stock, sometimes being applied directly to face plates and other flat surfaces.
Squeegee of an automated screen press
Industrial screen printing employs a high mesh screen that is stretched over a frame and covered with a photosensitive emulsion. A film negative is placed over the screen which is then exposed to high intensity light. When washed, the emulsion releases where it has been exposed to light, creating a negative image on the screen that ink can pass through. Only one color may be applied at a time and the ink must be allowed to dry before the next color is applied. Screen printing is not suitable for four color process (CMYK) printing.
Screen Printed Label Characteristics
Serigraphy, commonly known as screen printing or silkscreen printing, is a versatile process that may be used for a wide variety of substrates from plastics and metals to bottles and fabrics. Screen printing provides a smooth, even image with excellent coverage offering a solid opaque white that is unparalleled by other printing processes. Screen inks are durable, abrasion-resistant and able to withstand chemical, moisture and weather exposure making screen printed labels an ideal choice for outdoor use and high traffic areas.
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