Impressions - September 2019 - 36

think.
make.
do.

Screen Printing Production
Like this article? read more screen-printing
articles at impressionsmag.com/screenprinting.

The Benefits
of Automation
incrementally automating your prepress and ancillary operations
can be a profitable step in the right direction.
By MichAel hurley, conTriBuTing WriTer

Screen printing on T-shirts, sweat shirts,
hoodies and other popular garments is
a reliable and profitable market sector
that has demonstrated the potential for
continued growth in the 21st century.
Despite competing technologies - such
as direct-to-garment (DTG) printing and
sublimation dyeing - being introduced,
screen printing still is widely used in the
garment-printing industry.This is primarily due to the technology's accessibility
and stability, as well as the color saturation
and durability of screen-printed images.
Textile screen printing is preferred for
short-run, artisan designs where pigmentation and image detail are paramount.

Unlike the four-color, CMYK palette
used in digital imaging, screen printing
uses inks of various formulations and
viscosities, depending on the specific
application. Thicker and repeated coats
of ink are applied directly to the substrate,
with more pigments resulting in greater
color and hue vibrancy, as well as overall
superior color saturation.
At the same time, screen printing is a
cost-effective and versatile technology
for high-volume garment production,
and these advantages ensure its viability
for the foreseeable future, while offering
opportunities for development and further
expansion.
Automatic screen-fabric stretching
systems allow printers to bring screen
making in-house, achieve more
precise mesh tensions and stretch
multiple screens simultaneously.

For startups and smaller print shops,
transitioning to high-output production
to leverage the intrinsic advantages of
screen printing for the garment-decorating
industry can present significant challenges
that may be daunting - even prohibitive.
In this context, it's important to understand that each step screen printers take
to standardize and automate their operations increases production efficiency and
consistency, giving them greater control
and the ability to serve more customers.
Screen printers seeking to expand their
operations may find that one or multiple new, automatic multicolor presses
are too expensive or simply too large
for their current spaces. In such cases,
incremental automation of prepress functions and ancillary processes can be a costeffective way to increase productivity,
improve consistency and gain access to
potentially lucrative new markets.
Automatic Stretching & Exposure
As screen-printing shops begin to expand,
the most common first steps typically
involve bringing various ancillary operations in house, eliminating the need
to contract the work to outside vendors.
Screen making, exposing and cleaning are
three areas in which printers often realize
significant savings, ultimately exercising
more control over their operations. In
each of these areas, opportunities exist to
achieve even greater efficiencies through
the judicious use of technology and
specialized equipment.
Making your own screens saves time

P.36

i m p r e s s i o n s m a g . c o m SEPTEMBER 2019


http://www.impressionsmag.com/screenprinting http://www.impressionsmag.com

Impressions - September 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - September 2019

Impressions - September 2019
Contents
First Impressions
From the Show Director
Overheard
First Look
The Outlook for Outerwear
Fit Factors
In the Mix with Plastisols
Shop Talk
Embroidery Production
Screen Printing Production
Screen Printing Graphics & Design
Direct-To-Garment
Ad Index/Classifieds
On Design
Impressions - September 2019 - Intro
Impressions - September 2019 - CT1
Impressions - September 2019 - CT2
Impressions - September 2019 - Impressions - September 2019
Impressions - September 2019 - Cover2
Impressions - September 2019 - 1
Impressions - September 2019 - Contents
Impressions - September 2019 - 3
Impressions - September 2019 - 4
Impressions - September 2019 - 5
Impressions - September 2019 - First Impressions
Impressions - September 2019 - 7
Impressions - September 2019 - From the Show Director
Impressions - September 2019 - 9
Impressions - September 2019 - Overheard
Impressions - September 2019 - 11
Impressions - September 2019 - 12
Impressions - September 2019 - 13
Impressions - September 2019 - 13A
Impressions - September 2019 - 13B
Impressions - September 2019 - First Look
Impressions - September 2019 - 15
Impressions - September 2019 - 16
Impressions - September 2019 - 17
Impressions - September 2019 - The Outlook for Outerwear
Impressions - September 2019 - 19
Impressions - September 2019 - 20
Impressions - September 2019 - 21
Impressions - September 2019 - Fit Factors
Impressions - September 2019 - 23
Impressions - September 2019 - 24
Impressions - September 2019 - 25
Impressions - September 2019 - In the Mix with Plastisols
Impressions - September 2019 - 27
Impressions - September 2019 - 28
Impressions - September 2019 - 29
Impressions - September 2019 - Shop Talk
Impressions - September 2019 - 31
Impressions - September 2019 - Embroidery Production
Impressions - September 2019 - 33
Impressions - September 2019 - 34
Impressions - September 2019 - 35
Impressions - September 2019 - Screen Printing Production
Impressions - September 2019 - 37
Impressions - September 2019 - 38
Impressions - September 2019 - 39
Impressions - September 2019 - Screen Printing Graphics & Design
Impressions - September 2019 - 41
Impressions - September 2019 - 42
Impressions - September 2019 - 43
Impressions - September 2019 - Direct-To-Garment
Impressions - September 2019 - 45
Impressions - September 2019 - 46
Impressions - September 2019 - Ad Index/Classifieds
Impressions - September 2019 - On Design
Impressions - September 2019 - Cover3
Impressions - September 2019 - Cover4
Impressions - September 2019 - ISS1
Impressions - September 2019 - ISS2
Impressions - September 2019 - ISS3
Impressions - September 2019 - ISS4
Impressions - September 2019 - ISS5
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202404
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202403
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20240102
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202312
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20231011
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20230809
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20230506
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202304
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202303
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20230102
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202212
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20221011
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20220809
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20220506
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202204
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202203
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20220102
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202112
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20211011
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/DigitalDecorator_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20210809
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/teamactivewear_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202106
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202105
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/imp_0421_digital
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20210102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_fall2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nxtbook_bhtest/impwessons
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2020fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20200607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2019fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20190607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2019spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2018fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2018spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2017fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20170607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2017spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2016fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20160607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2016spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20150607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2015summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2015spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2014summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20140607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sportsfanretailer_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20131011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2013fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20130607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2013spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20121011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2012fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20120809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20120607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2012spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20111011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20110809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2011fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20110607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2011spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sourcebook2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20101112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20100910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2010fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20100708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2010winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_200909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_eco_2009fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2009fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20091112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sourcebook_200906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201001
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com