Off-contact distance, the gap between the screen and the print surface, allows the mesh to snap back cleanly and prevent ink smearing. When the film positive meets the coated screen under a bright exposure unit, the light hardens the emulsion except where the opaque film blocks it.
Screen Printing Step By Step Process Basics
Each screen is lowered, tested with a small amount of ink, and adjusted until the image aligns perfectly across all layers. For plastisol inks, this means reaching a temperature high enough to fully cure without scorching the fibers.
Curing and Final Inspection Freshly printed pieces move directly into a curing zone, where heat sets the ink and bonds it permanently to the material. Speed and angle of the stroke, combined with proper squeegee durometer, influence how sharply the ink deposits and how clean the separation is between printed areas and mesh.
Screen Printing Step By Step Process Basics
Washing Out and Drying the Emulsion After exposure, the screen travels to a washout booth where gentle spray water dissolves the unhardened emulsion. Preparing the Artwork and Coating the Screen The journey begins long before ink touches fabric.
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