All crafts and trades have their own language. They use terms that are very specific to what they do. As a result, if you want to truly enjoy fabric screen printing, it helps to understand what the experts are talking about. This is true whether you want to start out with a starter Speedball fabric screen printing kit or begin your new hobby or potential business by picking out each individual piece. Below are some terms you will need to be able to reach a comprehensive understanding of the basics of the process.
Screen Mesh
The mesh is the fabric part of your silkscreen frame. It is made from high-grade monofilament polyester. The mesh can be yellow or white and range in thread count from 40 to 400.
Screen Print Frame
Composed of either aluminum or wood, the purpose of the frame is to keep the mesh in position and flat. A retensionable or roller print frame is not flat. It consists of rolling bars instead. They perform the same function, however, of locking the mesh into position.
Screen Printing
This term has several different names. It is also known as:
- Silkscreen printing
- Silkscreening
- Silk Screening
- Serigraph
The most common term in the business is screen print. It describes a process that uses a screen of some type to capture an image from a stencil.
Screen Printing Kit
This refers to a collection of the basic material need for the process. The average kit contains a screen, ink, a stencil, a squeegee, a screen filler and a photo emulsifier. Various kits are available on the market. Talk to experts about such options as the Speedball Fabric Screen Printing Kit.
Squeegee
For use in screen-printing, the term refers to a specific tool. It is often a wooden rectangular object with an inserted rubber blade. The purpose of this particular tool is to push the ink through the mesh and down onto the substrate.
Substrate
This term applies to the base surface upon which you will print your design. The material may vary. Depending upon the ink, the substrate could be:
- Fabric
- Glass
- Paper
- Plastic
While the overall screen printing process is the same, you may need to consider different techniques and ink when you print on diverse materials.
Speedball Fabric Screen Printing Kit
If you plan to learn how to silk screen, you need to understand what it is all about. Read a book on the topic, go online and look at various articles on the subject. Learn the basic terms involved. When it comes time to purchase materials and tools, you might want to consider starting simply. Purchase everything a beginner needs at once by picking up the Speedball Fabric Screen Printing Kit and start your journey off an easy and affordable way.
