Tuesday, October 13, 2009

A Simple Corporate Gift Idea - Tshirts

By Vent Wong

Printing is a process of producing images and text, commonly using ink, paper and a printing press. Over time, printing technology has developed significantly. Diverse techniques are available, but screen-printing is used most of the time.

Screen-printing, also referred to as silk screening, is a method that is best for surfaces that are comparatively flat. In this process, fine mesh or a screen is tightly stretched over a rigid frame, with the screen masking areas which will not be printed. In order to make a print, the screen is placed atop the item that is to be printed; then a blob of thick ink is applied. Next the ink is pressed through the screen with the assistance of a squeegee. The ink clings to the unmasked area, thereby creating the print, and the masked area is screened from ink incursion. After this, the printed item goes through a heated tunnel that dries the ink so that items can be stacked or put into packages.

When more than one color is involved, the process is repeated, utilizing different screens. So, four screens would be necessary for a four-color print; they can be placed on a rotary press or done by hand, allowing each color to print in its proper place.

There are many different methods for masking a screen. For simple projects, a masking fluid may be applied directly on the screen. Two-color graphics work best with this method; more complex multi-colored jobs will look better with a photosensitive emulsion process.

If you don't specify what you want when you order a custom shirt, you may end up with your design printed in a sticky, plastic-containing ink. Water-based inks work best for the worn, vintage-looking shirts. If you want the look of a stark and heavier print, request an ink that contains plastics and is applied by a hot press.

Many printers prefer the plastic-containing inks for several reasons: they are easier on the printing equipment, their colors are brighter, they are heavier and more visible, and they are more durable than thinner inks. Plastic inks may begin to show cracking after only a brief period of time. Natural inks look better and last longer than synthetic ones.

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