Screen printing

A fine-mesh screen, made of silk, polyester or stainless steel, is used for screen printing. The screen is held in a frame as shown in the figure below. A stencil containing the design is placed in the frame, covering the holes in the screen where no ink is desired. The stencil is often produced with a photographic process. The screen is placed on the part and ink is deposited in the frame. The ink is then forced through the screen by moving a blade across the screen. The screen is lifted and the part is finally allowed to dry.

Screen printing is an inexpensive process and fine details are possible. As with pad printing, multi-color designs can only be made by overprinting in sequential steps, with intermediate drying. Ink can be applied in thick layers if desired and the screens can be made of any size. The registration of colors can be good, depending on the equipment.