What is screen printing?

The name says it all:xassware or crockery is printed using a sieve. We make a stencil of your design, with only the part of the sieve where the design sits open. The rest is covered. Ink is then pressed through these open parts, leaving your logo or image on the glass or crockery. Afterwards, the printed material is dried so that the ink adheres well and the product is ready for use! Below is a more detailed explanation of the printing process of screen printing in four steps.

1. The design process: you, the customer, would like to print your logo on glasses or crockery. Nice! That's possible. You decide which logo will be printed, we make the proof for you and you approve the proof we make. This way, you have the lead on what gets printed and you determine the end result!
2. Preparation of the template: after your approval of the proof and the quotation, we start the order process. First we start by preparing the template. We make a stencil based on your logo or design. An emulsion is applied over the entire screen. Next, your design (logo) is placed on the screen with a negative film and exposed with UV light. This washes out the parts of the screen covered by your design, allowing the ink to pass through the screen only in the right places. This way, the ink can only pass through your design and the right logo is printed.
3. Applying the ink. When the stencil is ready, it is placed on the screen printing machine. The ink is applied on top of the screen and then spread across the screen with a kind of rubber squeegee. This forces the ink through the open parts of the stencil onto the glassware. In multi-colour designs, a separate screen and printing layer is used for each colour. This ensures a detailed and colourful final result.
4. Drying process and finishing. After applying the ink, the printed glassware must dry. This can be done in various ways, such as an oven. This process ensures that the ink gets into the glass, making the logo scratch-resistant and long-lasting.

Advantages and disadvantages of screen printing

Screen printing has a number of advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages

1. Printing by screen printing is durable. It lasts a long time, up to 500 washes!
2. Screen printing is possible in many bright and many different colours.
3. The printing process is mechanical and therefore more precise than human work.

Disadvantages

1. Relatively high start-up costs.
2. Low-run printing only possible in one colour.

Screen printing compared to other printing techniques

Besides screen printing, there are other techniques for printing glassware and crockery:

• Transfer printing: stickers are made, cut and pasted. Then the glassware or tableware with the stickers on it goes into the oven and the logo is baked onto the product. This process is useful if your logo has multiple colours and lots of details.
• Digital printing: Digital printing is good for designs with many colours and lots of details. Another term for this is printing in Full Colour. This technique uses digital printers that print directly onto the material, perfect for smaller runs or personalised items.
• Engraving: A permanent method in which the design is engraved into the glass or crockery. This involves laser engraving a very thin layer out of the glassware. This gives a luxurious look and is ideal for special occasions or as a gift.

Which printing technique is right for you?

Choosing a printing technique depends on a number of things: your desired print run, the design and the material. We recommend screen printing if you are looking for a durable and colourful print that is long-lasting and resistant to wear and tear. Do you have a difficult design with many colours or want personalised designs in small quantities? Then digital print is a better option. For luxurious, subtle finishes, opt for engraving.

Want to know more about the possibilities? Get in touch with us! We will be happy to help you make the best choice for your personalised glassware and tableware. Request a quote or a digital proof without obligation!