Screen printing allows you to obtain very elaborate effects, but it is necessary to know the principles very well. Printing with 1 color can also have critical aspects. In this article we will see what the configuration is to obtain the best results in the printing phase screen printing near me.
Anyone who approaches silk screen knows that, in this printing technique, each color corresponds to a frame, that is, a printing “system”.
And, of course, multiple colors mean multiple frames, plus a more elaborate printing machine (e.g., with multiple arms and multiple planes) to accurately record the different colors.
To avoid all these difficulties, many printers choose to print in just 1 color, still managing to obtain interesting effects .
The basic equipment for screen printing with one color
To print in 1 color, onesimple printing machine, with a single plane and a single frame support, for example, the modelSilver StartUpby CPL Fabbrika. What’s more, for those who would like to start with a really minimal investment, there arethe hingesthat are fixed with screws in any plane. There are also screen printing machines for 1-color printing that are much more elaborate and specific for different types of printing. What we advise you is to always give priority to the solidity and weight of the printing machine : this will allow you to obtain good results and work with precision.
Creating graphic design: how to get multiple colors with a single color?
In addition to the printing machine, of course, you needan engraved framewith the design you want to print .
To thebe printing in 1 color, there are many details that can be decided before producing the frame , during the creative phase. When working on the design, always take into account the color of the support on which you are going to print: this way, you will be able to obtain several colors even if you are apparently printing in a single color.
For example, you can use the background color of the t-shirt, or the paper, and make it your second color: it will not just be a background, but a color element that becomes part of the design.
Frame production: do I do it myself or go to an external service?
To produce the frame you will start from the file processed with a graphic design program such as Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator , and thenyou will print on filmwith a printer capable of obtaining an opaque black.
The covering black is an essential step in the production of films for screen printing: If light passes through the black area of the drawing, the screen printing frame will be imperfect and will reproduce the micro holes that let the light through. Due to these imperfections, during printing the ink passes through the micro holes and ends up dirtying the printed result.
The opaque black is essential, even when printing with a single color.
It is clear that this phase – called prepress – is very delicate and requires equipment that is anything but trivial and economical . We recommend that you choose the best way to organize your workshop: do you want to take care of the complete screen printing process, prepress and printing? or do you want to specialize only in the printing phase and go to a external service for all file processing and rack production?
How to fix the frame on the printing machine
After obtaining the engraved frame With the graphic design, you must set it on the printing machine. The frame must be fixed with the side through which the squeegee passes facing upwards, and with the mesh resting on the printing support. In other words, upside down. Cover with tape the area between the emulsion of the frame and the frame (wooden or iron), to prevent the ink from passing through the mesh where it is not emulsified , and the frame from getting too dirty with the ink.
Now print at the exact point
After fixing the frame, the first thing we must solve is: how can we print the drawing exactly where we want to do it ? For example, in the exact center of the shirt, or at the height of the heart, such as sports logos and numbers.
To do this, we advise you to lower the frame onto the support and place the film with the design on the support (for this reason, at CPL Fabbrika we always send customers both the engraved frame and the corresponding film), exactly in coincidence with the design on the frame. This way, you will also have a reference when you raise the frame again.
Then, fix the film on the printing plane and move the support (t-shirt, paper, etc.) only enough to identify the exact position where you want to print.
In order not to repeat the operation every time you change the t-shirt or the sheet of paper, it is enough to place a reference on the printing plane , a “registration square”: it can be an adhesive tape vertically and another horizontally, a square, on which you will place the printing support.
Another important thing: contact distance!
There is another detail that you should take into account: the contact distance. The contact distance is that space of approximately 1.5 mm that must remain between the frame and the printing medium.
The frame should never rest completely on the printing medium. The reason is that the hoop mesh should come into contact with the print media only when you squeegee and apply pressure. As soon as it passes the squeegee, the mesh rises and separates from the frame again (contact distance). In this way you avoid the suction effect , that is, that effect that causes the wet ink to tend to stick to the printing medium and lift it when you move the frame, dirtying and ruining the image.