Easy Screen Printing on T-Shirts

Screen printing on T-shirts, or "Silk screen printing," as it is commonly known, has been around for decades. The principle is the same, whether you use a hand-printed method or a fully automated press. The artwork is burned onto a dense mess, which is then stretched between a frame. The image is opaque. The mesh is coated with ink. This is then forced through the holes using a squeegee, either manually drawn or automatically. Because the mesh is opaque, ink cannot pass through it. The positive imprint is printed on the shirt and placed underneath the screen on a platen.

Screen-printing setups can run anywhere from $8,000 to $35,000. Depending on how many stations (platens), you use, and the complexity of your press, a typical screen-printing setup can cost anywhere from $8,000 to $35,000. To dry the t-shirts, a large conveyor heater will be required. A washing station is needed to clean the screens.

Screen printing on shirts has a distinct advantage over other methods. It's fast. A simple 6-color press can produce between 30-90 t-shirts per hour. The ink costs are also minimal. The only drawback is that it takes time to set up and clean screens. Most companies charge a one-time set up fee per color separation. In case of a customer needing to reprint, the screens are stored.

Screen-printing has many advantages. It produces a clean, solid color print. Screen-printing is great for logos and text. Ideal for mass production, keeping printing costs low and allowing for high quality. It can be washed and rewashed many times before it fades. It will last longer than digital printing (as used online by large 'print on demand" companies like Cafe Press).

Screen-printing has its cons: It is not suitable for photo reproduction unless you are prepared to accept a lower quality of image. Each color must be printed individually, so a separate screen needs to be created and stored. Screen printing can be messy.

The t-shirt printing dubai industry has improved significantly in environmental terms over the years. Many companies will only use environmentally friendly plastisol inks based on soy. They are water-soluble and odorless. They do not contain volatile organic compounds or air-polluting substances. When used responsibly, they are safe to transport, store, use, dispose of, and destroy their plastisol Inks.