The Basic Screen Printing Process

The screen printing process is the technique of using a mesh screen to transfer a design onto an item like a T-shirt, canvas bag, or other similar material. You can create your own print with the help of a screen print machine, which holds the shirt and screen in place while you apply the ink. But they are expensive (my last automated machine cost a quarter of a million bucks) so you may want to have us do it instead. When printing on fabric, make sure to use only fabric inks because they’re more viscous than other types of inks. The screen allows the ink to pass through only in certain areas in order to create a design.

Screen Printing Multiple Colors

If the image you’re using requires multiple colors, it’s time to bust out the multiple screens. Only one ink color can be printed at a time. So if you’re trying to print an image with various colors, you need to layer the colors. To do that, you have to layer each color one by one using multiple screens. Also, before applying each color, sometimes you need to be sure the previous color is dry, first.

However, there are additional methods that can be used in order to speed up the drying time between layers. Devices called flash dryers are set-up along the screen printing machine. They flash dry the T-shirt for a few seconds after a color is applied. This allows you to apply the next color faster, cutting the overall production time significantly.

For you cost-cutters, when creating a design, ideally, you’ll be using 1-2 different colors, but a maximum of 7-8 colors for more complicated pieces. It’s best to limit your colors to 3-4 to save money on setup and ink costs.

Once you’ve completed printing the T-shirt, you need to cure the ink. You have multiple options when it comes to heat setting. You can use an iron, a heat gun, a heat press, or a dryer. It comes down to personal preference and experience. My last dryer cost a couple o’ thousand bucks, so, again, you would probably be better off letting Rimshot T-Shirts do it.