Silkscreen T-Shirt Method

THE BASICS OF SILK SCREENING

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© Protocase Inc. All rights reserved Document edition – 1.2 Last updated: March, 2007
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Table of contents Introduction ………………………………………………………….. 3 The Silk Screen Process ………………………………………………….. 3 Graphics Process ………………………………………………….. 3 Text ………………………………………………………………….. 4 Other TIPS ………………………………………………………….. 5 Color ………………………………………………………………….. 6 Silk Screen Samples ………………………………………………….. 7 References ………………………………………………………….. 8

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Introduction Silk screening, also known as screen-printing or serigraphy, is a printing technique that involves passing ink through a porous fabric, thus creating a sharp-edged single-color image [1] created from a stencil. Multiple color images are realized by incorporating multiple stencils, one graphic and screen for each color. Silk screening is the process Protocase utilizes to provide labeling for connectors, switches, ports and other components, as well as company logos, graphics or text. The Silk Screen Process The process begins with the client providing either an electronic image of the required print or a sketch of the required print with enough detail so a Protocase technical representative can create a suitable electronic image. When providing an electronic image, clients must be aware that the image quality is critical to the resulting final screened image that can be achieved. The porous fabric Protocase uses for its screens contains 300 threads per inch; therefore the image we receive from out clients must be of at least that much detail. In other words, images less than 300 dots per inch (dpi) will not be of desired quality and may result in either blurred or jagged edges. Once the image (one image for each color to be screened) is received from the client, it is then printed on velum using a laser printer. Screens are prepared to have the image burnt in by