SCREEN PRINTING

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Screen printing is a versatile and popular printing technique used for creating designs on various surfaces, including textiles, paper, glass, and ceramics. The process involves using a mesh screen, ink, and a stencil to transfer the design onto the material. Screen printing is a preferred method for projects requiring bold, vibrant colors and durability, making it a popular choice in both commercial and artistic contexts.

 

Applications of Screen Printing:
 

• Preparation of the Screen: A screen is made from a fine mesh material, usually polyester or nylon, stretched over a frame. The screen is coated with a light-sensitive emulsion.

• Creating the Stencil: The design is printed onto a transparent film, which is then placed on the screen. The screen is exposed to light, hardening the emulsion in areas not covered by the design. The unexposed emulsion is then washed away, leaving a stencil of the design.

• Setting Up the Screen: The screen is placed on top of the material to be printed. The stencil openings allow ink to pass through onto the material.

• Applying the Ink: Ink is spread over the screen, and a squeegee is used to press the ink through the stencil and onto the material. Different colors require separate screens and prints, often necessitating precise alignment.

• Curing: After printing, the ink is cured (dried) using heat or UV light, ensuring it adheres properly and becomes durable.

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• Posters and Art Prints: Common for limited-edition prints and posters.

• Signage: Suitable for creating durable and vibrant signs.

• Glass and Ceramics: Used for decorating glassware, tiles, and ceramics.

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Advantages :

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• Durability: The prints are long-lasting and resistant to fading.

• Versatility: Can be used on a wide range of materials.

• Cost-Effective for Large Runs: Economical for large quantities of prints.

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Disadvantages :

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• Setup Time and Cost: The process can be time-consuming and costly for small runs due to the preparation involved.

• Limited Detail: Not ideal for extremely detailed or intricate designs.

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Artwork Guidelines

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We prefer AI (Adobe Illustrator) and EPS files for artwork submissions. These file types are vector-based, ensuring that images remain sharp and clear, no matter how much you zoom in. To identify a vector file, zoom in closely; you should see smooth edges with no distortion. In contrast, bitmap images will become pixelated and blocky when zoomed in.

 

Please avoid converting a bitmap file into an AI or EPS format, as it remains a bitmap and will not be usable for our purposes. If this occurs, we may need to recreate the image as a vector, which will incur an additional fee.

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Ensure all colors in your artwork are converted to spot colors. In software like Illustrator, you can select individual colors and change them to their Pantone colors. Since screen printing involves printing one color at a time, we require color-separated files to streamline the process and ensure accurate color reproduction.​​

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Our design and printing masters are still working in Hong Kong. We ship the custom prints to our customers globally.

Please do not hesitate to contact us today via WhatsApp +852 5542 1166 or email at info@printcards.com.hk !

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