Elastic Screen Printing

Elastic screen printing is a printing technique where a mesh is used to transfer ink (or dye) onto a substrate, except in areas made impermeable to the ink by a blocking stencil. A blade or squeegee is moved across the screen to fill the open mesh apertures with ink, and a reverse stroke then causes the screen to touch the substrate momentarily along a line of contact. This causes the ink to wet the substrate and be pulled out of the mesh apertures as the screen springs back after the blade has passed. One colour is printed at a time, so several screens can be used to produce a multi-coloured image or design.

Flexible printing method
Screen printing is one of the most flexible printing techniques in existence. This is because you can use surfaces of various materials (paper, plastic, fabric, metal, wood, glass, etc.).

Strong coverage of ink layer
With screen printing, you can also print pure black paper on a white surface and thus create a stronger image that appears three-dimensional. This effect can help your designs stand out (literally!) and seem more unique when you display them as artwork.

Resistant to changes in sunlight or temperature
Changes in sunlight or temperature have no effect on designs created through screen printing. Therefore, you don't have to use this method in a specific type of room with certain lighting or temperature conditions. On the other hand, designs created through other methods such as digital printing normally start to fade after a given level of exposure to sunlight.

Can be done manually or via machine
Another major advantage of screen printing is the fact that it can be done either by hand or by using a special machine. Other printing methods can only be completed by using one or the other. When selecting a screen printing press, be sure to consider factors such as budget and space.

Elastic screen printing has five elements: Ink, screen printing squeegee, screen printing plate, substrate and printing table. The basic principle is that the screen printing plate with the graphic part can penetrate the ink, and the mesh without the graphic part can not penetrate the ink. The squeegee moves on the screen printing plate, and squeezes the ink onto the substrate through the mesh of the graphic part, and at the same time, the imprint can be fixed in a certain range due to the viscous effect of the ink itself. During the printing process, the squeegee is in linear contact with the screen printing plate, and the screen printing plate and the substrate are also in linear contact, and the two linear contacts are coincident, and the contact line is not fixed. Move. Before printing, a certain gap is maintained between the substrate and the screen printing plate, so when printing, the scraper moves, and the screen plate is slightly elastically deformed due to the pressure of the scraper, which generates a certain tension by itself, and has a negative effect on the scraper. The effect of force is the resilience of the screen.

Under the action of the rebound force, the substrate and the screen printing plate are only in linear contact, and the other parts of the two are in a state of separation, so that the ink and the screen are broken, which ensures the accuracy of screen printing and avoids the need for dirty substrates.

Feasibility of screen printing on lycra
Screen printing on lycra is indeed feasible, but it requires a certain level of expertise and precision. Lycra, also known as spandex, is a synthetic fabric known for its exceptional elasticity. This stretchability can pose challenges during the screen printing process, as the material tends to distort the design if not handled correctly. However, with the right equipment and techniques, screen printing on lycra can yield vibrant, durable results.

Is screen printing on lycra advised?
While screen printing on lycra is feasible, it is not always advised for beginners or those without the necessary equipment. The elasticity of lycra can cause the design to warp or distort during the printing process, leading to less than ideal results. Additionally, the heat required for screen printing can potentially damage the lycra material if not carefully managed. Therefore, screen printing on lycra is best left to professionals or those with a high level of expertise in screen printing techniques.

Better printing techniques for lycra
For those looking for a more accessible method of printing on lycra, heat transfer printing or sublimation printing are often recommended. Heat transfer printing involves applying a design to the lycra material using heat and pressure, which can be easier to control than the screen printing process. Sublimation printing, on the other hand, uses heat to transfer dye directly into the lycra fabric, resulting in a design that is vibrant and highly resistant to fading or peeling. Both of these methods are more forgiving than screen printing, making them ideal for those new to printing on lycra or those without access to professional screen printing equipment.

Print shops may seem like harmless, safe spaces for employees and employers alike, but the truth is there are actually some health hazards involved.

However, because of the causal nature of the screen printing business, many of these risks may go unnoticed.

Screen printing utilizes a variety of volatile organic compounds (voc), including chemical solvents, inks, lacquer thinners, and much more during the printing and washing process. Exposure to the fumes emitted by common screen printing products can ultimately cause a myriad of health issues, from minor sinus irritation to respiratory problems to even cancer.

Know your ink
Knowing those properties can help you protect your shop from any potential negative ramifications when it comes to your health or that of your employees.

Here are but a few examples of screen printing inks:

Plastisol: The most common type of ink for commercial and textile printing, plastisol is known for its versatility and ability to retain its color and visibility on both dark and light colors. Plastisol is so commonly used in screen printing because it won't dry out when left on the screen, it's easy to work with, and it retains its visibility on fabric with proper care. However, because this type of ink is developed by essentially liquefying pvc (polyvinyl chloride), the chemical compounds within the ink may negatively react with other chemicals to create toxins when not handled properly.

Solvent based inks: More commonly used for metal, glass, or plastic screen printing, solvent based inks are formulated to dry as the solvents evaporate into the air, creating a volatile and potentially hazardous work space. While practical for some applications, these solvents are often flammable and can even create respiratory issues when inhaled.

Uv inks: Just like they sound, uv or ultraviolet inks require an intense (and potentially harmful) uv light source in order to dry. These types of inks have a strong odor, but less solvents get released into the air. However, these fast drying inks are often more toxic than other forms, plus they require other chemical compounds or solvents such as lacquer thinner to clean up, which can also be toxic and harmful to those working.

The options for ink are varied, and each presents their own challenges. When working with these types of ink in a confined space, it is crucial to enact proper safety measures in order to reduce or even eliminate health risks. Here are a few steps to take, as noted by a 2009 study performed by the center for disease control and prevention and the national institute for occupational safety and health.