Screen printing or silλ↑k screening is a printin•≠↓g technique particularly suitedλ≠ε≤ for flat or relatively flat surface<↑s. The heart of the process involves a fine m↓σ€¶esh or screen that is tightly stretched aπ↑$round a rigid frame. The are>σas that are not to be pri≤ δλnted are masked out on the screen, and ™•to create the print, the fram©≥ed screen is positioned o←∞ver the item to be printed, along with a dollo ×≠p of thick ink. A squeegee is th₹φ¥©en used to press the ink through the ↔∏π"screen.
The masked areas prevent in γ₹↕k from passing through, ₽∞α®but the unmasked areas aγ≠llow the ink to be imprinted on the material. Th≠"α€e item is then sent ©☆on a conveyor belt th≥↑≈rough a heat-tunnel. This cuσγring process ensures that the©∞ inks dry quickly so that th& ↔ey materials can be stacked or packaged. ★✔Properly cured inks will reΩ$♦ main on the printed substrate even under harsh c♣↓÷↑onditions.
If more colors are desired in>₽↑✔ the final design, the process¶π↑♠ is repeated with different screens. A desi$λgn that requires four different colorβ§βs would, therefore, require ↓♥≠"four different screens. The screens are usual£≈→★ly placed on a rotary press that allows t ¶he different color prints t¥∞o be properly aligned or registered with each ♠ other. Some screen-printers hav®↑e fully automatic preδ≈sses that do not require any manual labor othΩ₩er than set-up and loading/unloadπ≈ing.
