There are two main methods used for screen printing:
1. Direct printing - placing the screen directly onto the item
2. Off contact/ elevated printing - raising the screen above the item.

Which method do you need to use??
It can get a bit confusing as it varies on both the item and the ink your using. Just think if the item or ink will be absorbed or sit on top of the item - if on top you need to elevate.

Here's a simple guide to remember:
Direct - absorbent materials i.e. t-shirts, paper, wood, clay.
Off contact/ elevated - non-absorbent materials i.e. plastic, glass, metal, glazed ceramics.
Direct - standard fabric inks for white and light colours/ poster paints for paper & cardboard.
Off contact/ elevated - Supercover fabric inks onto black and dark fabrics/ Akwa tile and glass paint.

This blog deals with direct printing only.
For off contact/ elevated printing see our other blog post or download the pdf information sheet now.

Old printing techniques provide poor results using modern equipment

If you have screen printed before (probably way back at school) you will remember having to push hard on the squeegee with both hands to make a print - well times have certainly changed, using  that technique with modern inks and squeegee’s will provide a very poor quality print.

Our professional squeegees and inks have changed two basic elements of traditional screen printing:
The angle of the squeegee is held upright at about 60-70 degrees
- The higher angle lets the sharp edge of the blade do the work for you
- Angles too low force the ink through the screen and bleeding will result
Less pressure is used with the squeegee when printing
- The blade on the squeegee should not flex or bend whilst printing
- You don’t need to push the ink through the screen - the ink will naturally be drawn through onto the material below - you just need to guide the squeegee with even pressure

Let the squeegee and ink do the work for you.

It’s not the pressure applied to the squeegee that pushes the ink through the screen and onto the item below, it is the sharp edge of the squeegee blade that pulls a layer of ink through the screen mesh, which is designed to regulate the amount of ink that passes.

Excess pressure will blur your design and reduces print quality.

Basic Technique

Download the PDF details here.

	1.  With your screen mounted to a frame, place over some paper ready for a test print. Always perform a test print before using each screen - this will reveal any problems with artwork/ imaging which can be corrected before printing commences 2.  Dip an ink knife into the ink and laden the squeegee blade with the ink ready to commence printing Laden by placing the ink knife against the blade and holding the squeegee still, pull the ink knife downwards - the blade of the squeegee will ‘scrape’ the ink off the ink knife You can also put the ink directly onto the screen
	3.  With sufficient ink on the blade, about 7-10mm thick, place the squeegee onto the edge of the screen, then lower the blade and rock forward & back 3 times to transfer this ink onto the screen and then bring the angle back up ready to print Note: Rocking to transfer the ink is only required on the very first print to ensure ink transfer to screen - this is not required for subsequent prints.
	4.  Pull the squeegee across the screen at an angle of approx. 70 degrees from one side to the other. - A standard print onto fabric requires 2 passes of the squeegee before lifting the frame. - Finer detail and higher quality will be achieved using 2 lighter passes than 1 heavy pass.
	5.  Once you have passed over the design, raise the squeegee angle back to vertical to ‘pick up’ the ink off the screen and remove from the squeegee. - If the ink falls off your blade there is too much applied. You only need enough ink for the next print, not the next 10. - Ink will run off the sides of the blade, this is normal and can be scraped back up, returned to the ink jar, stirred back in and reused.
	5.  Rest the squeegee to the side and lift the frame in a hinge motion to reveal the print A hinge motion is used to avoid smudging/ blurring the print. Hold the frame on one side. - If a print is too light, simply lower the frame back down and perform another print, as the hinge effect holds the frame in place without moving the design. - Jig hinges or a screen printing jig/ carousel will also ensure the's no movement between prints.
	Always use Table Adhesive under the item to stop movement and avoid blurring/ smudging Your squeegee should be at approx. 70 degrees and move freely across the screen If you get ink on your fingertips whilst printing raise the angle of the squeegee Prints too dark, blurred, smudged or not a clear image = pressure too great and squeegee angle too low. Two lighter passes will provide a sharper result. Prints too light, not a clear image = pressure too light, squeegee angle too high or not enough ink on the squeegee