Screen printing or silk screening is a p÷≈≤rinting technique particuπ>larly suited for flat or relatively flat surf☆Ωaces. The heart of the process inσ¶φ©volves a fine mesh or screen t&βhat is tightly stretcheφ‌®d around a rigid frame. The areas that are not♠ε to be printed are masked out on theε©× screen, and to create the p¶∑£rint, the framed screen is pos ​itioned over the item to®∑ be printed, along with £‌®a dollop of thick ink. A squeegee is then¥>↕✘ used to press the ink λ☆€₹through the screen.

The masked areas prevent ink from passi₹✔±☆ng through, but the unmasked areas allow th↔÷☆ e ink to be imprinted on the material. T&$he item is then sent on₩ ± a conveyor belt thro© ugh a heat-tunnel. This curing process en×±sures that the inks dry quickly so t✔✘Ωhat they materials can be stacked or •​packaged. Properly cured inks will remain on the≤¥> printed substrate even under harΩ&σsh conditions.

If more colors are desired in the fin£☆™al design, the process is repeated with differ↑‌↑ent screens. A design that requires four €€®different colors would,‌σ therefore, require four different™✔↑♣ screens. The screens are usually placed o<βn a rotary press that allows the differα×¥ent color prints to be properly aligned or ♦♠δ♥registered with each other. Some screen-printers✘→  have fully automatic presses that do not r<☆equire any manual labor other ∞ ¥than set-up and loading/unloadinλγ♣g.