< Back to Glossary

Screen Printing

Screen printing is a printing technique that uses a mesh stencil to transfer ink onto a surface, such as fabric or paper. It is a reliable and effective method for producing bold, long-lasting designs. 

It works by pressing ink through a prepared screen. This process allows for high-quality prints that can be used for clothing, posters, and various other materials. Screen printing is popular for its durability, versatility, and ability to create vibrant colors with precision.

Screen printing is all around you. You most likely have a screen-printed item within arms reach of you at any given time of day. 

Some common examples of print screening include:

  • T-shirts & Hoodies: Most graphic tees and custom apparel use screen printing for bold, long-lasting designs.
  • Posters & Signs: Many event posters, band merch, and storefront signs are screen-printed.
  • Stickers & Decals: High-quality, weather-resistant stickers often use screen printing.
  • Packaging & Labels: Some product packaging, like glass bottle labels or specialty boxes, use screen printing.
  • Sports Jerseys & Uniforms: Numbers, logos, and names on team uniforms are often screen-printed.
  • Canvas Bags & Tote Bags: Many reusable shopping bags feature screen-printed logos or designs.

How It Works

  • Design Creation: A stencil of the desired image is created on a screen (originally silk, now often synthetic).
  • Screen Preparation: The screen is coated with a light-sensitive emulsion and exposed to light with the design. The unexposed parts are washed away, leaving a stencil.
  • Ink Application: Ink is applied to the screen and pushed through the open areas of the stencil using a squeegee.
  • Curing: The printed item is dried using heat or UV light to set the ink.

In short, screen printing is a common and reliable method wherever durable, high-quality prints are needed!

Example of Screen Printing

See Other Guides

Quality

How to Effectively Manage Print Samples with Automation

With so much competition between brands, packaging design is a key way to distinguish your company from others and thus persuade consumers to purchase your products.

Logo of GlobalVision
by
GlobalVision Editorial Board
Print Ready files with names of different components|Illustration of sustainability in different stages
Proofreading

How Can File Comparison Software Improve Your Print Ready Files?

While some experienced graphic designers might be very familiar with print-ready work, this concept still represents a terrifying and intimidating aspect of graphic design for many newcomers.

Logo of GlobalVision
by
GlobalVision Editorial Board
team working on text, color and graphics inspection|What Is Prepress?
Proofreading

What Is Prepress?

In spite of a whole industry dedicated to it, very few people know what prepress is. “Prepress” is used in the printing industry to refer to all of a commercial printer’s activities after they receive an order […]

Photo of Brandon Malz
by
Brandon Malz

Eliminate Errors, Boost Efficiency

Drive efficiency across your entire proofreading workflow with the market-leading quality inspection software.
Get a Demo