Welcome to atergram facts . . .
Contents
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Screen Printing Applications & Facts
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Flex Print Facts
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Laser Heat Print Facts
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Embroidery Facts
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Tattoo Instructions
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Washing Guidelines (For longer lasting printed shirt)
Screen Printing Applications & Facts
Screen printing is arguably the most versatile of all printing processes. It can be used to print on a wide variety of substrates, including paper, paperboard, plastics, glass, metals, fabrics, and many other materials. including paper, plastics, glass, metals, nylon and cotton. Some common products from the screen printing industry include posters, labels, decals, signage, and all types of textiles and electronic circuit boards. The advantage of screen printing over other print processes is that the press can print on substrates of any shape, thickness and size.
A significant characteristic of screen printing is that a greater thickness of the ink can be applied to the substrate than is possible with other printing techniques. This allows for some very interesting effects that are not possible using other printing methods. Because of the simplicity of the application process, a wider range of inks and dyes are available for use in screen printing than for use in any other printing process.
The major chemicals used include screen emulsions inks, and solvents, surfactants, caustics and oxidizers used in screen reclamation. The inks used vary dramatically in their formulations.
Screen Printing Process Overview
Screen printing consists of three elements: the screen which is the image carrier; the squeegee; and ink. The screen printing process uses a porous mesh stretched tightly over a frame made of wood or metal. Proper tension is essential to accurate colour registration. The mesh is made of silk, porous fabric or stainless steel mesh. A stencil is produced on the screen either manually or photo-chemically. The stencil defines the image to be printed in other printing technologies this would be referred to as the image plate.
Screen printing ink is applied to the substrate by placing the screen over the material. Ink with a paint-like consistency is placed onto the top of the screen. Ink is then forced through the fine mesh openings using a squeegee that is drawn across the screen, applying pressure thereby forcing the ink through the open areas of the screen. Ink will pass through only in areas where no stencil is applied, thus forming an image on the printing substrate. The diameter of the threads and the thread count of the mesh will determine how much ink is deposited onto the substrates.
Many factors such as composition, size and form, angle, pressure, and speed of the blade (squeegee) determine the quality of the impression made by the squeegee. At one time most blades were made from rubber which, however, is prone to wear and edge nicks and has a tendency to warp and distort. While blades continue to be made from rubbers such as neoprene, most are now made from polyurethane which can produce as many as 25,000 impressions without significant degradation of the image.
Screen Preparation
Screen (or image transfer) preparation includes a number of steps. First the customer provides the screen printer with a digital (eg jpeg, gif, bmp etc) or analogue image of what they wish to have printed. The printer must then transfer a "picture" of the artwork (also called "copy") to be printed into an "image" which can then be processed and eventually used to prepare the screen stencil.
Once the artwork is transferred to a positive image that will be chemically processed onto the screen fabric (applying the emulsion or stencil) and eventually mounted onto a screen frame that is then attached to the printing press and production begins.
Flex Print Facts
Flex Print is a great alternative to screen printing. The standard Flex print is industrial strength & can stretch almost 3 times its original strength making it idea for work and sport clothing. It is machine washable up to 60 degrees C and is OK to dry clean.
It comes is a great range of colours. Flex Print comes in neons & glitter colours, flock and even glow in the dark. Flock Flex has a velvet feel and look, which gives a great & unique effect on shirts.
Flex Print is even suitable for printing on wet suits.
Here is our Flex Colour range.
Laser Heat Print Facts
Laser Heat Print is the most cost effective solution if you require a full colour picture, highly detailed design, photograph or design that cannot be achieved through Screen Printing or Flex Printing. This printing technique allows full picture quality and details to be printed. To make the most of this techniques pictures should be at a minimum of 300 dpi in quality.
For example this process allows you to print your child's baby photograph or picture of your cute little puppy. All we need is the jpeg or image file. If you are not skilled with computers let us do the image customisation for you.
Embroidery Facts
Embroidery is an ancient art of decorative needlework in which designs and pictures are created by stitching strands of some material on to a layer of another material. Most embroidery uses thread or wool stitched onto a woven fabric. These days software driven programs and machines do all the hard work of needlework.
Embroidery is great on caps and shirts or other woven fabrics. Due to the use of threads, large complex design cannot be achieved with this process. This decorative stitching is used extensively for badge sized design of emblems or business logos.
Tattoo Instructions
Note: Do not spray the Tattoo. The solvents will destroy the image!
1. Spray a thin layer of Spray Bandage on the desired
area on the Skin and let it dry completely (approx. 30 Sec's).
2. Spray another thin layer on top of it
(this acts as the adhesive) and apply Tattoo face-down right after the
liquid solvents have evaporated (approx. 10 to 15 Seconds) and the sprayed
area is dry but still tacky. Cover with a wet towel/fabric and press firmly.
3. After approx. 30 Seconds slide the Base Paper sideward's and remove.
Softly wipe off the excess release residue.
Depending on the type of skin Atergram Tattoo will hold 3 to 5 days because the Spray Bandage film will be released from the skin. In case you want to remove it earlier please use regular soap and maybe a hand brush.
Note: Please follow the instructions of the Spray Bandage Manufacturer in regards to Product Safety and Skin Irritations.
Washing Guidelines
These guidelines are only for full colour prints or those shirts printed using Laser Heat Printing technique.
For the longest lasting print, it is best to hand wash your shirt.
The second best alternative if you have a Top Loader washing machine is to wash your shirt inside out and wash it in COLD water and dried on the delicate cycle.
Never wash your shirt using a Front Loader washing machine, as it twists the shirt and can possibly cause lines to appear on your printed shirt.
If you are unsure what technique to use, please contact us. We are more then happy to help you !!
This page contains some interesting facts about screen printing
&
also some facts or FAQs.