Silkscreen Stickers -- How They Are Made

Silkscreen printing is an everyday part of our lives.
This printing method has its origins in China almost 3000 years ago.
Many of the stickers we print are silkscreen printed like these Laughing Squid stickers.
This sticker has a green impression, and a black impression.
When combined, they make a two color sticker.
Two screens mounted on a rigid frame are created, one for the green impression and one for the black impression. The yellow areas are where the ink will pass through the screen.
The green screen is mounted on the printing press making sure it is aligned properly.
A specially formulated green ink is prepared,….and a pre-measured amount is applied to the screen.
2 large squeegees set the ink in place, and the machine begins to feed the adhesive backed vinyl sheets into the machine.
A series of suction cups and steel fingers make sure the sheets go in one at a time.
Two large squeegees alternate spreading ink across the screen and then scraping it off again.
The ink is squeezed through the screen onto the vinyl sheets.
The inks are dried instantly using ultraviolet light.
This job required 500 sheets to be printed.
The sheets are stacked and taken back to the front of the press.
The screen is cleaned and the ink is put away to be used another day.
Now the black screen is carefully mounted on the press.
Black ink is applied, and the sheets are fed back into the machine.
The process is repeated applying the black impression onto previously printed sheets.
The printing process is completed and the sheets are fed through a slitting machine.
Each sheet gets four slits so the stickers have a crack and peel backing.
The stickers are ready to be trimmed in this cutting machine.
After careful alignment the 5 horizontal cuts are made consecutively.
This machine requires the operator to use two hands to activate the blade. This reduces the risk of injury.
The sheets are turned and the process is repeated making the 7 vertical cuts.
Once the trimming is complete, a simple rubber band keeps the finished ...
Find out more on our blog: http://www.stickergiant.com/blog/silkscreen-stickers-how-they-are-made-redux/

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• custom
• laughing
• printing
• silkscreen
• squid sticker
• stickergiant
• stickers

[MrEdwindrummer]

Anyone know where can  I buy blank stickers

[RickyBricks86]

@Mayochapstick well stickrobot has them bet there too. and they have better prices. THEY HAVE BETTER STICKERS TOO

[Mayochapstick]

@RickyBricks86 That would be laminate, clear coat is just another layer. Either way, these guys are awesome, sticker robot is not better or worse; process and media is probably the exact same so it comes down to customer service

[RickyBricks86]

@Mayochapstick the clear coat would stop the vinyl from breaking down. at least for a while

[Mayochapstick]

@RickyBricks86 like I said, the vinyl itself will breakdown before you notice a slight fade in color; a clear coat won't stop anything.

[RickyBricks86]

@Mayochapstick maybe i want my screen prints to out last other screen prints.... stickerobot clear coats their stickers and they are by far the BEST stickers in the world.

[Mayochapstick]

@RickyBricks86 Why would you clear coat a screen printed sticker? Unless you plan on using your stickers in a tank of sulfuric acid, it'll outlast the vinyl itself

[Mayochapstick]

@EseGuero25 Ignorance must be bliss...

[johnrichardfischer]

not for silkscreen. Our full color stickers are laminated for durability, but clear coating would ruin a nice silkscreen job.

[RickyBricks86]

no clear coat for maximum life?