Image Dimension

Printing Images

All images are printed in 3 dimensions.  The x-y dimension is the image size, but the thickness determines opacity.  A screen printer’s requirements can range from the thinnest deposits of ink for process and CD prints to the thickest for high density ink on textured fabrics.

Capillary film is fundamentally different from liquid emulsion.  The film is liquid emulsion coated to a polyester sheet which is later applied with plain water to screen mesh.  This produces a 2-ply structure.  Ink passes around the threads of the mesh, and the image is defined by stencil material without the influence of mesh.  As a result, higher resolution images are produced than with screens coated with liquid emulsion.  The difference is particularly obvious when printing fine details under 3 mm.

The market for decorated apparel continues to shift more towards textured weaves like pique shirts and tote bags, and away from smooth materials like T-shirts.  Until recently, screen printers were unable to adapt to these market changes, because with traditional methods of screen printing the ink follows the texture of the garment producing a poor resolution image.  Today with capillary film and high density inks even corduroy or seams can be printed with a photographic quality resolution.

Other benefits of capillary film include, for example, higher production rates.  With capillary film available in different thicknesses, an optimal thickness like 50 microns can be selected to control the thickness of the ink deposit and eliminate flash curing of white ink on dark garments.  Eliminating flash curing can increase productivity 300-400% for a manual printer.  Film also avoids thicker stencils at the center of a low tension screen.

The hand, or feel, of a print will be smoother, because the bottom of a screen coated with capillary film is smoother.  Liquid emulsion is half water which evaporates.  The remaining solids contract leaving a rough surface.

   However, one of the most exciting benefits is the ability to produce 3-dimensional and textured prints with high density ink.  Read on to learn more.