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Latest Trends for Printed T-shirts in 2019

Screen printing is the latest technique which is being used for the mass production of designer T-shirts. A layer of ink application over a screen to produce exclusive designs on T-shirts is what the main aspect of screen printing is. This method of printing has multiple uses as each end result requires a specific design to be made.

In the recent years, screen printing has seen its popularity soar. While there are an increasing number of applications for this form of printing, this method of printing is very cost-friendly.


For printing, essentially any surface which is flat can be used. Screen printing allows you to use a range of printing materials which means the creative possibilities are endless as this printing technique can be applied on a wide variety of surfaces.

Today, we will dive deeper into the origins of t-shirt screen printing and its myriads of applications and aspects!

Origin of Screen Printing

It was approximately 2000 years ago that the technique of screen printing was first invented. While forming a screen, they stretched human hair across a wooden frame.

A stencil made of leaves were attached and stuck on in different shapes in this. The Japanese used the same process, but using woven silk to make the mesh while lacquer replaced the leaves to make the stencil in the later years.

The silk screen printing machine derives its name from the Japanese use of silk in screen printing all those years ago as a matter of fact. To patent the first industrial screen printing process, in 1907, Samuel Simon was the first man.

The process of screen printing has gradually become far more advanced than the traditional methods and screen printing is commonly used for printing a wide range of objects including CD covers, t-shirts, advertisements, printed fabrics, signs and advertisement flyers and even on banners. And all the credit here goes to technology. Screen printing is even seen on the dial on your watch.

The Business Growth of Screen Printing

Since 2012, the custom screen printing market is a growing one and with time, it has been booming according to IBIS World’s research. There is no one particular company that is the leader in this particular market as most firms in this sector tend to be small regional operators.


In 2015 it has been seen that the top companies in the custom screen printing industry accounted for less than 5% of the total revenue, and this is what the research suggests.

Equipment used in screen printing

For screen printing, the following are the equipment which is utilized:
  • Print Screen
  • Stencil
  • Ink or paint
  • Squeegee
  • Tape
  • Pencil/pen
  • Craft Knife
  • Cutting mat
  • Iron
Myriad uses of Screen Printing Technique:

On Fabric

The textile industry is one of the biggest applications of screen printing and also while printing t-shirts with designs on them. To print graphics and designs on fabrics such as silk, polyester, cotton and organza, screen printing can be used.

The fabric is then converted into the final product such as shirts, dresses, skirts, or children’s clothes once printed. It can be used in screen printing for any form of fabric which requires some form of printing.

Design needs to be created and then it is used on screen printing is what the process in fabric screen printing requires. Including curtains, linen, cushion covers, bed sheets and upholstery are all included in the other fabrics which can be used for screen printing.

On Paper

Marketing and advertising is the other industry which makes extensive use of screen printing. Posters, flyers, and other forms of advertising which require the use of graphics are the other sectors where this printing technique is used.

It makes the use of screen printing as printing is electronically or digitally on a small scale as the advertising sector requires limited edition of printing and this goes much higher than screen printing.

Souvenirs

When the souvenirs and collectibles are manufactured, screen printing is used in the sports industry. There is a huge amount of growing popularity for t-shirts with the logos of sports teams as are the key chains, caps, mouse pads, and the sweatshirt with graphics and team logos.


Healthcare

Using the screen printing process, the strips that monitor blood sugar levels (glucose) are made. To help with the personal glucose testing at home, the strips contain electrochemical biosensors. The electrode strips have to be of extremely high quality since these strips help diabetics avoid potentially life-threatening sugar conditions on a daily basis.

The screen printing technology is used in these single-use electrode strips and printing here is done on simple thick-film and is also known as the vapor deposition process. Printing patterns on the surface of the strips are involved in this process.

To realize several items which you come across in everyday life are made using screen printing it only takes a quick glance.

Advantages of Screen Printing

Over the traditional form of printing, there are several advantages which are involved in the screen printing technique.

A greater thickness of ink can be utilized in screen printing, allowing the possibility of creating a variety of interesting printing techniques which would not be possible otherwise. A wide range of inks as well as dyes are all available as compared to the other printing techniques as the process of screen printing is absolutely simple.

Screen printing also gives you the possibility of using adhesive, lacquer and conductive silver apart from the traditional inks. It is an additional benefit for a manufacturer with this easily adaptable printing method.


As the manufacturers can control various aspects of the process enabling larger quantities of the end result at a low cost is the other advantage of using screen printing.

To conclude:

Screen printing continues to be the most popular method which is used by the manufacturers and is a widely used form of printing by several industries. The reasons behind its success credit goes to its process, materials required and the low cost.
For many users the creative license offered by this technique offers an attractive beneficial factor. You cannot simply go wrong with screen printing when it comes to bringing unique designs to life.