March was a busy month for Chain Link Ink. During our transition we came across multiple setbacks which without learning would have never given us the edge we needed to be successful. Everybody makes mistakes and when it comes to screen-printing, it’s no different. Screen-printing is a tedious process that takes background knowledge and practice to perfect. There are a couple mistakes that even the most experienced screen-printers come by and have to try to avoid. If not caught these mistakes could lead to a huge loss in money, time and potentially harming the brand’s identity.
Listed below are some of the most common screen-printing mistakes.
- Fonts: Getting the right font starts with making sure it flows well with the image you are using. You need to make sure you know exactly the size of the font and that it will be consistent with the image.
- Smudging and Ghost Print: Screen-printing is a precise process and even the tiniest mistake at any stage could damage the whole product. Smudging and ghost printing can occur, but one way to fix this is to use registration marks.
- Ink Spillage: Over flooding, the ink could create a blurry image. One way to control ink spillage is to not over press your ink, and also to make sure you have good control over your spread.
- Blurred Edges: Is when you do not have a definite line around your image. To correct this, you need to apply equal pressure throughout the whole screen to the glass of your light box. If you do not, you will most likely have undefined outlines.