Screen printing is a widely used printing technique that is widely used to create high-quality designs on t-shirts, hoodies, jerseys, and other clothing items. It is a popular choice among businesses and individuals looking to customize their clothing items with logos and designs. One of the most popular techniques used in screen printing is embossing with silicone ink. Embossing with silicone ink is a technique that creates a raised, textured feel to the design. In this article, we will discuss some professional screen printing tips for embossing with silicone ink on t-shirts, hoodies, jerseys, and other clothing items.
1. Use the Right Screen Printing Mesh120-48T,and aluminum molds.
Embossing with silicone ink can be challenging if you don't use the right screen printing mesh. The right mesh will determine the texture and depth of the embossing. To create a high-quality embossed design, use a mesh that has a higher count. A higher mesh count will not only produce optimum detail and sharpness but also result in a good layout and hold of ink.
2. Find the Right Silicone Ink Consistency
One of the most important factors for successful embossing with silicone ink is to find the right ink consistency. The ink should be thick enough to emboss correctly, but it should not be too thick that it will clog the screen. Generally, silicone ink is thick and difficult to work in comparison to other inks for screen printing. For optimal results, adjust the ink’s viscosity until it's workable.
3. Use a Thicker Squeegee with angle 65° to Apply Silicone Inks
When it comes to printing with silicone ink, using a thicker squeegee is essential. Compared to water-based ink and Plastisol ink, silicone ink requires a thicker squeegee. This type of squeegee helps create the required pressure and force required to push the ink through during the printing process.
4. Proper Curing is Important
The curing process of silicone ink is crucial, both for durability and to maintain the emboss effect. While it may be tempting to rush the curing process to meet deadlines, doing so will result in lower quality print jobs. Since the silicone ink emits an unusual amount of heat during the curing process, it requires curing through multiple rounds of high temperature. Therefore, ensure to follow manufacturer's instructions for curing or use a heat press to ensure optimal curing.
5. Experiment with Different Emulsions
Silicone ink's unique texture requires specific emulsions to expose the design correctly. Experimenting with different emulsions is necessary to find the one that works best for your design. As a general rule of thumb, use emulsions that are less sensitive to prolong exposure time. Liquid emulsions tend to be more prone to premature exposure times and, hence, unsuitable for printing on silicone ink.
6. Focus on Design
When it comes to embossing designs with silicone ink, the design is what matters most. If you have a poorly designed artwork, it will be challenging to emboss the design, let alone achieve the perfect embossed design. Therefore, ensure that the design is created with the necessary depth and texture to achieve the desired effect during printing.
7.Set up the embossing machine with correct data,such upper mold at 180℃,lower mold at 120℃,pressing the t shirt at 20seconds.
Conclusion
Embossing with silicone ink is a unique technique that can enhance your screen printing designs. However, it requires a higher level of expertise and knowledge than your average screen printing techniques. As highlighted above, using the right screen mesh, perfecting the consistency of the ink, finding the right emulsion, and proper curing is essential for optimal results. With practice and some patience, you can become an expert in this technique and create unique designs that stand out from the rest.
