Screen Printing Training

Lesson 1 • Types of Screen Printing Methods

Compares flatbed, rotary, and garment printing methods by application and output. Students select the appropriate method for a given production scenario.

Lesson 2 • History and Industry Overview

Traces screen printing from ancient stenciling to modern commercial production. Establishes industry context so students understand where techniques originate and how they evolved.

Lesson 3 • Safety, Health, and Workspace Setup

Covers chemical handling, ventilation, PPE, and ergonomic workspace layout. Safe habits established here are reinforced in every hands-on chapter that follows.

Lesson 1 • Inks, Emulsions, and Chemicals

Surveys plastisol, water-based, discharge, and specialty inks alongside emulsion chemistries. Material knowledge underpins correct exposure and curing decisions made in Chapters 3 and 4.

Lesson 2 • Squeegees and Flood Bars

Covers blade durometers, profiles, and handle materials for different ink viscosities and substrates. Proper squeegee choice prevents common print defects introduced in Chapter 5.

Lesson 3 • Screen Frames and Mesh Selection

Explains frame materials, mesh count ranges, and thread diameter as they relate to ink deposit and detail. Correct mesh selection directly affects print quality in later chapters.

Lesson 4 • Manual and Automatic Press Types

Compares single-color manual presses to multi-head automatic presses by throughput and registration capability. Students match press type to production volume and job complexity.

Lesson 1 • Color Separations

Demonstrates spot-color and simulated process separations using vector and raster workflows. Accurate separations are the foundation of correct multi-color registration.

Lesson 2 • Halftone and Stochastic Screening

Explains halftone angles, frequencies, and stochastic patterns and their effect on moiré and detail. Students select appropriate screening for mesh count and ink type.

Lesson 3 • Design Principles for Screen Printing

Applies color limitation, trapping, and halftone logic to artwork intended for screen output. Understanding these constraints prevents costly redesigns during production.

Lesson 1 • Exposure Units and Light Sources

Compares fluorescent, metal halide, LED, and UV exposure units by spectral output and cost. Correct unit selection and calibration prevent under- or overexposure defects.

Lesson 2 • Exposure Calculation and Testing

Uses step-wedge and calculator tools to determine optimal exposure time for each emulsion-mesh combination. Systematic testing eliminates guesswork and ensures repeatable stencils.

Lesson 3 • Emulsion Coating Techniques

Teaches hand-coating with a scoop coater and automated coating for consistent emulsion over mesh (EOM) thickness. Uniform coating directly controls ink deposit volume.

Lesson 4 • Degreasing and Screen Preparation

Details chemical and mechanical degreasing to remove oils, dust, and residue before coating. Clean screens are essential for emulsion adhesion and stencil longevity.

Lesson 1 • Proofing and Press Approval

Guides students through pulling test prints, evaluating registration, and obtaining client or supervisor approval. A structured approval process prevents costly production errors.

Lesson 2 • Screen-to-Press Registration

Demonstrates micro-registration adjustment using registration marks and light tables. Precise screen placement is the foundation of multi-color print accuracy.

Lesson 3 • Off-Contact Distance and Press Leveling

Establishes correct off-contact gap and platen levelness as prerequisites for clean ink release. Errors here cause smearing and inconsistent ink deposit across the print run.

Lesson 4 • Pallet Adhesive and Substrate Placement

Covers adhesive application, substrate alignment, and consistent placement for repeatable positioning. Consistent substrate placement prevents misregistration across a production run.

Lesson 1 • Ink Storage, Handling, and Disposal

Establishes protocols for labeling, storing, reclaiming, and disposing of inks per environmental standards. Proper management reduces cost, waste, and regulatory risk.

Lesson 2 • Ink Properties and Rheology

Explains viscosity, tack, thixotropy, and flow as they affect printability and ink deposit. Understanding rheology allows students to diagnose and correct ink-related defects.

Lesson 3 • Color Theory for Ink Mixing

Applies subtractive color mixing, color wheel relationships, and ink opacity to formulation decisions. Color theory knowledge reduces waste and speeds accurate color matching.

Lesson 1 • Wash and Stretch Testing

Performs standardized wash tests and stretch tests to confirm full cure and adhesion before releasing production. Failed tests trigger corrective action before goods ship.

Lesson 2 • Curing Methods and Equipment

Compares conveyor dryers, flash cure units, and heat presses for curing plastisol and water-based inks. Equipment selection and setup directly determine wash durability.

Lesson 3 • In-Line Quality Inspection

Establishes checkpoints for registration, color density, and print defects during a live production run. Catching defects early minimizes waste and rework costs.

Lesson 4 • Finishing, Folding, and Packaging

Covers garment folding standards, tagging, bagging, and order verification before shipment. Professional finishing protects print quality and meets customer presentation expectations.

Lesson 1 • Multi-Location and All-Over Printing

Covers registration strategies for sleeve, collar, and all-over prints requiring precise multi-location alignment. Students plan and execute complex placement jobs efficiently.

Lesson 2 • Discharge and Water-Based Printing

Explains activator chemistry, fabric requirements, and curing conditions for discharge and water-based inks. These techniques produce soft-hand prints not achievable with standard plastisol.

Lesson 3 • Specialty Inks and Effects

Introduces metallic, glitter, puff, high-density, and glow-in-the-dark inks and their unique application requirements. Specialty effects add value and differentiate products in competitive markets.

Lesson 4 • Printing on Challenging Substrates

Addresses printing on nylon, performance fabrics, dark garments, and rigid promotional items. Each substrate requires specific ink, mesh, and curing adjustments.