Screen-Printing Equipment Key Terms

Understand the terms you need to know when shopping for screen-printing equipment

By M. Worcester

Screen printing is a way of printing images onto various kinds of fabric. Manufacturers often use it for making T-shirts, but you can use the process on many different types of fabrics and products. The process of screen printing utilizes several devices, and you may find it beneficial to understand the key terms related to the devices and machines, as well as to other aspects of the screen-printing business.

Exposure units

An exposure unit is a mechanism that exposes the screen to a light source. It can hold several different types of lights, such as ultraviolet lights, quartz lights or mercury vapor. You may be able to make your own exposure unit if money is tight.
Try: See photos and read a description of what an exposure unit does and get advice on which models are best for different purposes at Ryan Screen Systems.

Bench-model printer

A printer is either a bench model or a floor model, meaning that it sits on a bench or on the floor. A printer may have one, two or more stations. Depending on the size and configuration, the machine may print in one or more colors.
Try: Browse several bench-model T-shirt printers with photos at CAPS International.

Flash-curing units

In the screen printing process, the ink needs to cure. One method is flash curing, which fuses the ink to the fabric so it won't wash off.
Try: Read an article about flash-curing units, including what to look for when buying one at Screen Printer & Inkjet Technology. Check out a discussion of drying and curing at International Coatings.

Conveyor dryer

A conveyor dryer is another method used to cure screen-printed items. Different models vary in speed and size, as well as other features.
Try: Learn what to look for in a conveyor dryer at Printa Systems.

Heat press

A heat press is a machine that transfers the image using heat in a way that's similar to screen printing. The result is not as durable but makes it easier to register more than one color.
Try: Find out more about what a heat press does and see a photo of a model at PressMECH.

Registration system

Registration means lining up the various colors in a job using several colors so the finished image looks right. If you have ever seen a printed picture that looked blurry or that looked like you should view it with 3-D glasses, you've seen a picture that did not register correctly.
Try: Learn more about a registration system at Vastex where you can see a flash demo detailing how a registration system works.