textile screen printing
Textile screen printing is a versatile and widely used printing method that involves pushing ink through a mesh stencil onto fabric. This time-tested technique creates durable, vibrant designs on various textile materials. The process begins with creating a stencil on a fine mesh screen, typically made from polyester or nylon. The areas where ink should not pass through are blocked, while the design areas remain open. The printer then places the screen onto the fabric and uses a squeegee to push ink through the mesh openings, transferring the design onto the material. Modern textile screen printing equipment often incorporates automated features, such as rotating carousel systems and flash-cure units, enabling efficient production of multiple-color designs. The technology accommodates various ink types, including plastisol, water-based, and discharge inks, each offering distinct characteristics and effects. This printing method excels in producing bold, opaque colors and can handle intricate designs while maintaining consistent quality across large production runs. Its applications span from custom t-shirt printing and sportswear to home textiles and industrial fabric printing, making it an essential technology in the textile industry.