How to Select the Best Screen-Printing Emulsion for T-shirts in 2022

The growing interest in custom-printed T-shirts has surged the global printing market. Do you know that the right screen-printing supply extensively impacts the entire process, and when it comes to screen emulsions, you can find a plethora of options available in the marketplace?

If you are in a dilemma about choosing which screen printing emulsion is best for your needs, look at the pros and cons of printing emulsions and decide to find the perfect one.

Let’s dive into this post and scroll down to find the best screen-printing emulsions for T-shirts!

How are T-Shirts Printed?

The T-shirt printing process starts with applying a layer of inks onto the fabric to create desired prints. Then, every color is individually applied to the screen to print the final designs. The prints capture the fine detail beautifully, last longer, and survive T-shirt washes.

Types of Screen-Printing Emulsions

1) Presensitized Emulsions: Presensitized emulsions are light-sensitive and expose the image on a cloudy day. Moreover, it overexposes the stencil when you wash screens outside. You cannot wash out the finer details of the stencil. So, a little UV light exposure creates issues with the emulsion.

Boon:

• Faster Exposure
• Excellent Detail Resolution
• High Shelf Life

Bane:

• Highly Light Sensitive: Needs a light-safe area for washing stencils.
• Over Exposes: It overexposes the stencil when you wash the screens outside.
• Expensive: Presensitized Emulsions are more expensive than other emulsions.
• Resistance: Presensitized emulsions have little resistance to water.

2) Diazo Emulsions: Diazo emulsions require mixing a Diazo powder into the entire base before printing. It works better with the units that don’t have any timers. You can wash them out in light successfully.

Boon:

• Inexpensive
• Requires moderate temperature for storage
• Not Light sensitive
• Have Fine detailing
• Easy to Use

Bane:

• Shorter life span
• Needs Diazo

Follow the Pro Tips to get the best out of the products no matter what emulsion you use for Printing.

• Store the emulsions in the refrigerator to enhance shelf life.
• Keep emulsions at the right temperature so that they do not freeze.
• Stir the emulsions before use and wait for the air bubbles to go before coating the screen.
• Work in a dark room that uses safe and clean light.

Why is Screen Printing Important?

Photo emulsion screen printing is a popular technique for many reasons including:

Creates Authentic Output: Screen printing creates visual outputs in longer-lasting, brighter, more vibrant backgrounds. The T-shirts require high vibrancy, and you can do it all with screen printing.

Versatile: With screen printing, you can create visual outputs on a plethora of materials, whether it is T-shirt, hat, or any other clothing. It is versatile and not limited to any size.

Easy Process: Screen Printing is an easy process that is done manually and automatically.

Wrapping Up

The right emulsion is necessary for a good t-shirt print, whether liquid or emulsion sheet based. So, no matter what emulsion you choose for t-shirt printing, use it wisely to get the most out of the screen-printing emulsions.

Hope this post helps you select the best screen printing emulsion for T-shirts in the current times!