Screen printing can be a great advertising tool for businesses, and not just for T-shirts. For industrial or commercial use, screen printing can be used for indoor and outdoor signs to boost visibility and draw in more potential customers. Below, we’ve outlined the basics of screen printing, the process, other forms of printing, and where you can find screen printing services in Denver.
What Is Screen Printing?
Screen printing is the process of transferring an image onto a surface using a screen. The screen can be made of stainless steel, nylon, or polyester mesh. The screen is then transferred onto metal, plastic, or ceramic surfaces. Many businesses choose to use screen printing for their signs as an advertising strategy and to increase visibility.
Screen Printing vs. Other Methods
Is screen printing the right choice for you? Let’s look at some other printing methods typically used, so you can compare.
Digital printing is taking a digital image and transferring it to other materials and mediums.- Offset printing is a printing method in commercial printing where the image on the printing plate is pressed onto a rubber cylinder and then transferred onto another material.
- Heat press printing uses a machine to transfer a design using heat and pressure.
How Screen Printing Works
Here, we’re going to outline the process of screen printing. Your idea is the first thing you’ll need to start with in screen printing. Once you have your idea, the team you’re working with can create a mock-up design. After you have approved the design, the image of your design will be first covered with a layer of emulsion and then burned onto a screen. The emulsion will then be exposed to light for the emulsion to harden so that the stencil can be created. Next, the material is prepared for printing on a board, and the screen will be lowered down to the print, with ink distributed across the screen. After this is finished, it is put under a dryer to maintain its color and quality.
Screen Printing Designs: What You Can and Cannot Print
What types of designs can be printed with a screen printer? One of the benefits of screen printing is that you can use materials of any size or thickness for your design. However, there are some designs that cannot be used for screen printing, such as gradients or translucent elements. Additionally, a scan of an image or a low-resolution file will not be able to be screen-printed. You’ll want to check that your image is high quality and that your text is readable before submitting your design.
How Much Does Screen Printing Cost?
Another important detail to note is the cost of screen printing. Screen printing can be a cost-effective alternative to other forms of printing. Some factors that are considered in the cost are:
- The size of your print
- The number of locations
- The number of colors used
- The ink coverage amount
The cost of screen printing designs on your products is very moderate, considering how durable the imprint is and the quality of the finished product.
How To Get the Best Results From Your Screen Printing Project
If you are looking to boost your business’s visibility with indoor or outdoor signs, consider a Denver screen printing company like Artcraft Sign Company. We have been in the Denver area for more than 140 years and are committed to providing the best service possible for your company’s needs. To get a free quote from one of our sign experts, get in touch with us now. We look forward to hearing from you!