The Long And Short Of Screen Printing Inks

By Author: Salvatore Andrea
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Printed media has been in existence for over 500 years; from Romans to Greeks to Chinese to Indians, everyone has used the art of printing and developed it over the years. With the innovation of 3D printers, the developmental leap taken by the printing group is enormous. With this development also comes the very important part of the screen ink. Screen printing techniques make full use of it and produce fascinating results.

Screen printing is a printing technique that uses a stencil, typically a woven mesh, to apply ink onto another material. This technique was developed by the Chinese and then moved on to various parts of the world. Initially, screen ink introduced toxic bichromates during printing. Modern Screen Inks use sensitizers and less toxic ones.

Screen printing involves the use of an image on a porous fabric and a stencil. The fabric is spread over a frame, wooden or aluminium. The Screen Printing Ink is applied to parts of the fabric. Parts to be colored differently or uncolored are covered by a non-permeable ...
... material. Ink is spread evenly by using a blade or sponge. The ink seeps through the fabric. The fabric is then removed and can be reused after cleaning. Multiple colored screening is done by drying the fabric and then repeating the entire process with a different color. This process is long and slow.

Screen printing gained popularity during the First World War. It was used to make flags and banners. Today its applications are spread to more commercial and common markets. These include T-shirts, logos, banners, rugs, knits, hats, towels etc. Screen inks are compatible with a variety of materials like ceramic, metal, wood, paper, plastic and glass.

Screen inks normally used to have a tinted transparent base. Today, however, these inks are opaque. Ordinary printing inks contain hydrocarbons as solvents due to their viscosity. Screen printing inks need to have solvents with a moderately high boiling point. This will prevent the ink from drying during application. Solvents also render the ink waterproof. This is especially used in signs and banners that require use even in rainy weather. Some inks have special characteristics depending on the kind of project being undertaken.

Screen printing is more of an art that requires a lot of technique. It also depends on the type of art and the choice of ink being used. Screen inks are evolving from transparent to opaque, from oil based to waterproof and many more.