Polmac (UK) Ltd uses a number of printing techniques, including screen printing, to print logos and text onto it's custom made wood presentation boxes, promotional boxes and gift boxes, when a more personalized finish is required.
Screen Printing: Using a Squeegee
Screen printing is a traditional ink printing technique, also known as silkscreen, serigraphy and serigraph that was developed in China about 2000 years ago. The Chinese used human hair stretched across a wooden frame as the screen and stencils made from leaves that were stuck together.
The process however was soon adopted by the Japanese and they used woven silk rather than human hair for the screen and various lacquers to make the stencils. It was in Japan that the name silk screen printing was derived.
Today, the design, or image is applied to a fine mesh screen usually made from synthetic polyester, with the blank areas coated in an impermeable substance.
Once set up, a 'fill blade' or 'squeegee' is moved by hand across the screen 'stencil' to force the ink through the openings in the mesh to the substrate below.
The process however was soon adopted by the Japanese and they used woven silk rather than human hair for the screen and various lacquers to make the stencils. It was in Japan that the name silk screen printing was derived.
Today, the design, or image is applied to a fine mesh screen usually made from synthetic polyester, with the blank areas coated in an impermeable substance.
Once set up, a 'fill blade' or 'squeegee' is moved by hand across the screen 'stencil' to force the ink through the openings in the mesh to the substrate below.
The stencil openings determine what the printed image below will look like. The pressure of the squeegee stroke forces the screen down and as it recovers, the ink is left on the substrate.
Screen printing has always been popular for printing posters, signs and general stationery. However, there are now many other uses such as printing cd covers, t-shirts, vinyl labels and of course printing onto wooden boxes.
In screen printing, only one colour can be printed at a time, so several screens are needed to produce an image or design that has multi colours.
Screen printing has developed rapidly over the years. The basic technique remains the same but with innovation and the introduction of computers, it is barely recognizable as the technique the Chinese invented all those years ago.
Screen printing has always been popular for printing posters, signs and general stationery. However, there are now many other uses such as printing cd covers, t-shirts, vinyl labels and of course printing onto wooden boxes.
In screen printing, only one colour can be printed at a time, so several screens are needed to produce an image or design that has multi colours.
Screen printing has developed rapidly over the years. The basic technique remains the same but with innovation and the introduction of computers, it is barely recognizable as the technique the Chinese invented all those years ago.
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