KTK has been building automatic screen-printing machines since 2014, however, the vision of its owners was the result of more than 30 years involved in Screen Printing and dealing with all the ins and outs of its specific machinery. The KTK products are globally known not only for their highly acclaimed precision, durable components and reliability but more importantly for making the job of printers all over the world an easier and safer one. With a team of dealers and after-sales support that extends to the four corners of the Globe, KTK is easily in touch with every customer, maintaining its relationship with all different markets by always being present at the most recognizable international exhibitions of the world.
Screen printing is a printing technique where a mesh is used to transfer ink onto a substrate, except in areas made impermeable to the ink by a blocking stencil. A squeegee is moved across the screen to fill the open mesh apertures with ink, and a reverse stroke then causes the screen to touch the substrate momentarily along a line of contact. This causes the ink to wet the substrate and be pulled out of the mesh apertures as the screen springs back after the blade has passed. One colour is printed at a time, so several screens can be used to produce a multi-coloured image or design.
To sum up, the basic method involves creating a stencil on a fine mesh screen and then pushing ink (or paint, in the case of artwork and posters) through to create an imprint of your design on the surface beneath.
The process is sometimes called ‘silk screening’ or ‘silkscreen printing’ and while the actual printing process is always fairly similar, the way the stencil is created can vary, depending on the materials used. Different stencilling techniques include: using masking tape or vinyl to cover the desires areas of the screen, painting the stencil onto the mesh using “screen blockers” such as glue or lacquer, and using a light-sensitive emulsion to create a stencil, which is then developed in a similar way to a photograph.
Designs made using the screen printing technique may use just one shade of ink, or several. In the case of multicoloured items, the colours must be applied in individual layers, using separate stencils for each ink.
Fabric and paper are the most commonly screen-printed surfaces, but with specialised inks, it’s also possible to print onto wood, metal, plastic, and even glass.
There are various terms used for what is essentially the same technique. Traditionally, the process was called screen printing or silkscreen printing because silk was used in the process. It is also known as serigraphy and serigraph printing.
