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Print 101: Screen Printing

Print 101: Screen Printing

Print 101: Screen Printing – Episode Summary

In this episode of The Print University, Ryan McAbee and Pat McGrew revisit one of the oldest and most enduring forms of analog printing—screen printing. Known for its vibrant color, tactile texture, and extreme durability, screen printing remains a vital process across industries, even as digital alternatives emerge. For those exploring printing industry training programs for new employees or printing technician certification online, this episode lays out both the technique and modern use cases.

Screen printing uses a mesh stencil (screen), thick inks, and a squeegee to transfer images onto fabric, metal, plastic, or glass. Each color requires a separate screen, making registration a skilled, manual—or semi-automated—process. The ink sits atop the substrate, often creating a raised effect and long-lasting image. It’s a technique rooted in t-shirts and posters but extends into industrial applications like signage, printed electronics, and decorative glass or bottleware.

The episode contrasts manual setups with rotary or automated presses and discusses how screen printing coexists with digital print alternatives like direct-to-garment and latex. While analog preparation (screen creation, emulsion washout) and cleanup are labor-intensive, the process excels in producing high-volume, repeatable, and abrasion-resistant output. From fine art to functional labels, screen printing still delivers where durability, thickness, or longevity matter most.

You Will Learn:

  • How screen printing works, including mesh, emulsion, and squeegee techniques

  • Use cases: t-shirts, signage, bottleware, wall coverings, electronics

  • Differences between manual, rotary, and automated screen presses

  • Analog vs. digital trade-offs: setup time, cost, volume, and waste

  • Why screen print remains vital for durability, texture, and long runs

Who This Course Is For:

Apparel decorators, industrial print operators, packaging professionals, and anyone comparing analog methods with direct-to-garment or other digital printing press training options

Time to Watch:

Approx. 18 minutes