How the Screen Printing Process Works

The origins of screen printing can be traced back to China from the Song Dynasty period. This art was then adapted by the Japanese in the form of stenciling. The screen printing PTFE Coating process we know of today was first patented by Samuel Simon of England in 1907. Simon stretched cloths like linen or silk on a frame where it could support hand painted stencils to print something on the fabric.
So how does modern the screen printing process work? Here's the materials you'll need and how to get started:
Screen. This is an aluminum or wooden frame with a finely woven fabric, usually nylon, silk or polyester, stretched across the frame with correct mesh count. The mesh count is the tightness or looseness of your screen’s fabric weave.Ink. There are many types of inks used when screen printing, but the commonly used inks are water-based inks, which can create a soft texture, especially if used on clothing.Squeegee. This is a flat and smooth rubber blade tool used to curb the stream of ink on the screen.Image or Artwork. This is probably the most important thing you should always take into consideration. You have to get a copy of your desired illustration to transfer into a fabric.Acetate/Transparency Film. This is a sheet of plastic film where the original image is Non Stick Coating printed.Liquid Photo Emulsion. This is a photosensitive coating used to burn the image on the screen.