Category: Screen Printing

Colored is viewed in many different ways as a job moves through production. When a job is designed on a computer, colors are viewed on a monitor. Monitors use RBG color (red, green and blue) and is displayed using transmitted light (light passes through the screen to create colors). While the display looks great, the color gamut (the range of viewable colors) on RGB monitors is very broad and displays many colors that are ultimately unprintable.

From the monitor, to the printer, to press – colors may have different appearances.

As the design is printed on paper, the colors are created using CMYK inks. Process inks have a much smaller gamut than RGB, limiting the number of reproducible colors. The colors on a print are also viewed using reflective light (light from around you reflects off the ink to create the colors). Unless you have calibrated your monitor to match your print-outs, your colors are likely to shift. Calibration can be accomplished by following your hardware and software manuals’ guidelines. Setting monitor profiles to match specific printers will improve your color matching capabilities.

When your art is screen printed, it will be printed in either CMYK inks or spot colors. The spot colors will match the specific swatch call-outs exactly, not the PMS representation on a computer print. If you need your colors to match your print-out or another printed piece, please make this request.

Knowing how colors are displayed and reproduced will help you get the colors you expect when your job is printed. Your sales representative can answer all your questions about color, and even offer ink swatches and proofs to assure that your job is printed just the way you want.

The monitor – RGB color is made from red, green and blue via Transmitted Light.

Computer print or actual printed piece – Process printing CMYK color mix to make other colors via reflective light.

When your sign needs to go outside for extended periods of time, it’s good to know the limitations and expectations of a printed piece when planning for outdoor use. You’ll need to consider the various effects of different weather conditions. Direct sunlight, wind, and rain can all have adverse effects on your signage. Screen printing is the perfect print process for these applications. Screen printing can be done on different substrates that will handle the rigors of outdoor use. Because of the thickness of the materials, we can print on a variety of plastics and vinyls that traditional offset lithography simply cannot touch.

Size, location, and application of the sign is key in determining the substrate. Direct sun is probably the most harmful to your outdoor sign. Sunlight can rapidly age certain stocks, causing yellowing and brittleness. The best substrate for a typical outdoor sign would be Sintra, a PVC material. It is rigid, lightweight, and comes in thicknesses from 1mm to 6mm. It does not yellow, making it the perfect material for outdoor use. Other substrates for outdoor use are rigid and pressure sensitive vinyls, which can be limited in thickness and styrene, which can be aged by the sun. Fortunately, styrene does allow for UV inhibitors to be added when it is made, thus extending its life. For larger signs and banners, reinforced vinyl is suggested. This material will hold up well to both sun and wind.

When planning an outdoor sign, another consideration when you design your art is color selection. Certain ink colors, such as reds, yellows, and fluorescents will fade faster than other colors. Avoiding these colors, or keeping their use to a minimum will also extend the life of your sign. Screen printing inks are very durable and hold these colors much longer than alternative print methods.

The use of special substrates, durable inks, and well-chosen colors make screen printing the best choice for your outdoor signage.

What are UV stabilizers and UV inhibitors?

UV inhibitors and UV stabilizers are additives used in the production of certain substrates that will extend their use in UV light. These built in stabilizers will protect your material from cracking and yellowing in outdoor conditions. Substrates such as styrene and acrylic can have stabilizers added while being manufactured that will add years to the life of the product. This material will be a special order depending on the level of UV resistance desired. UV clear coat will also extend the durability of a print, though not as long as built-in stabilizers. Your Creative Sign Inc. sales representative can elaborate more on this subject.

Where did the term come from?

Have you ever wondered where the term “Screen Printing” actually came from? The term originates back to the early 1900’s when printers were looking for the best material to use when making stencil. It turned out that a silk cloth that was being used for sifting flour was the ideal solution. The silk cloth was strong, thin, affordable and, at the time, readily available. The silk was stretched over a wooden frame which provided ideal support for creating a stencil in order to print. The silk was the perfect screen, and thus the term “silk screen printing” developed and soon became the industry standard name for that type of printing process.

Today, silk has been replaced by synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester. These materials help increase strength and reduce costs. Since silk isn’t used any longer, it’s now known as Screen Printing.

Are you looking for a unique hang tag? Something different from the standard hang tags you’ve been using? Consider having your next hang tags screen printed! No other print process offers as wide a range of possibilities as screen printing.

Let’s go over some of the benefits of screen printed hang tags …

First, the wide selection of substrates allows for hang tags that go far beyond your standard paper tag. Materials such as rigid vinyls (both clear and white), pressure sensitive materials such as vinyls and mylars (perfect for decal hang tags), card stocks (12 to 24 pt. or more) and specialty papers are a few of the wide selections available.

Our in-house finishing capabilities also offer many options for a hang tag. Die cutting is very popular – giving a unique shape for your tag. Kiss-cutting a pressure-sensitive stock will create a removable decal for a hang tag. Other options include mounting and laminating. Card stock can be mounted together to form a thick and sturdy hang tag. Laminate a pressure-sensitive material to a card stock, kiss-cut and die-cut it, punch a hole for the cord, and you have a custom-shaped, durable hang tag with a removeable decal! Just think of the many other possibilities. Top that off with great print quality, and you’re set!

We also offer a variety of cords, strings, and other attachment hardware to complete the tag.

Your Creative Sign Inc. sales representative can answer all your questions and even offer some helpful suggestions to get your next hang tag project off to a good start