Letterpress and Screen Printing Services Key Terms

Letterpress and screen printing services key terms to know

Letterpress and screen printing are printing techniques that have long histories with simple and rudimentary equipment. These techniques also continue to be relevant and commonly used in modern times due to new innovations with equipment and respect for the artistry required for the techniques. A small business might seek out letterpress and screen printing services for any number of reasons, from fine stationary and unique business cards to corporate apparel and business signs. When exploring the options of using these printing techniques, it is important to first have a grasp on the following letterpress and screen printing services key terms.

 

Screen printing

Screen printing, also called silk printing or silk screen printing, is a printing technique that uses a screen to hold a stencil in place. Ink is pushed using a roller or squeegee to create an image on the printing area.
Try: Learn much more about the screen printing process from JL Screen Printing.

Letterpress printing

Letterpress printing is a type of relief printing, in which the negative of an image or text is inked then pressed onto the printing surface to make the positive print.
Try: Visit FiveRoses.org to learn everything there is to know about the art of letterpress printing.

Flatbed press

A flatbed press is a type of printing press where the text or image is secured on a flat bed within a frame. The image from the flatbed press is transferred onto the printing surface.
Try: Find information on the modern flatbed press, a digital press, from American Printer.

Flatbed cylinder

A flatbed cylinder is the cylinder apparatus onto which the printing surface is attached, be it paper, fabric or otherwise. The cylinder rolls across a flatbed press to print the text or image onto the printing surface.
Try: See an illustration of how a flatbed cylinder works at PrintingTips.com.

Rotary press

A rotary press is a type of press that works by pumping ink into the printing cylinder and uses an internal squeegee to control the ink flow. A rotary press works at a very fast rate.
Try: See a picture of a rotary press at History Wired.

Printable area

The printable area is the area on a printing surface that can be printed on. The area is determined by the type of press and can limit the graphic design.
Try: Watch the video on screen printing on Sunburst Apparel to see how the printable area is limited by printing technique.

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