Screen Printing

Example of the topics for a screen print department printing a range of substratres, varying print runs, with multi colours. This would consist of a two day seminar for up to 6 delegates. Some topics will be covered in various depths depending on the delegates' requirements. Whether you are printing bio-medical sensors or large format point of sale a training course can be tailored to suit your needs.

Throughout the training the learners will take short tests to ensure that they have fully understood the topic.

Theoretical Screen Printing Topics
Advantages and disadvantages of screen printing.
Consumables - Care, purchasing & inspection.
Controlling and maintaining production. (Process Control Documentation).
Establishing and maintaining quality.
Floodcoaters - Profiles & setting.
Four colour process - Alternative systems; hexachrome, geometric, stochastic.
Four colour process - What does it mean? How does it work? What are the critical areas? What is the terminology used? etc.
Four colour process separations, angles, dot shape and line ruling.
General discussion on production and problem areas.
Health & Safety, COSHH & environmental legislation.
Ink mixing, solvent addition, colour matching and proofing.
Inks - Basic constituents of solvent and UV inks (including setting of drying conveyors).
Origination/photopositives.
Preparing for machine set up (Kit of parts).
Principles of colour matching - metameric and spectral matches, viewing conditions.
Principles of screen printing.
Print hints - A systematic approach.
Set up procedures - The systematic approach, reducing the variables. Setting snap, peel off, tension, etc.
Squeegees - Effect of angle, hardness and profile, squeegee dressing.
Introduction to Stencil Making - Mesh types, mesh count, tension, emulsions, good and bad stencils, stencil making.
Substrates - Types of materials and associated handling and print problems, pre-treatment.

Practical Screen Printing Topics
Addition of solvents (where applicable).
Basic set up procedures.
Clean down procedures.
Cleaning the stencil.
Effect of squeegee angle and hardness.
Effects of mesh count and tension.
Health & Safety and Environmental.
Ink mixing.
Machine function & controls of machine(s) (where applicable).
Maintain quality of print.
Problem solving.
Set up and run screen printer.
Setting squeegee and floodcoater.
Use of test and measurement equipment.
Effect of peal off and snap distance