After the screens dry, they must be blocked out by taping
up the mesh edges inside the frame. Any small pinholes
around the images and un-taped areas are filled in using
emulsion (then exposed and hardened again under UV
light source).
The screens are then ready to be placed on the press. There are many types and size of multi colour screen printing press, but the very basic principal is similar for all. The screens are placed on the press and aligned so that the image will print in the correct place on the t-shirt. Each screen is aligned and secured in position by means of various controls so that each colour in the design prints in perfect registration.
Once the screens are all aligned and ready, the specific ink colours are placed in the screens. Each screen in turn is then lowered down over the t-shirt. The squeegee then moves up and down the screens and pushes the ink through the mesh (carrying the negative image) onto the t-shirt (thus creating the final positive image). This process is repeated for every colour in the design until it is complete.
Once all the colours have been applied, the t-shirt is removed from the platen and put through a large conveyor dryer. Very simply this then dries and cures the inks and makes them wash safe and durable. The end result is a nice printed t-shirt all ready to wear!
Printing the green ink
Result
Printing the black last
Result
The t-shirt seen above is produced by Philosophy Football to help raise profile and funds for the aide convoys to Gaza. The t-shirt can be purchased (as long as stocks last) from philosophyfootball.com
