Screen Printing 

1. General information 

Screen printing on plastic and glass objects is a specialised trade for printing patterns, logos, texts and images on plastic and glass surfaces. It is a process that uses a printing technique with a screen and a special ink to transfer the design onto the object.

2. The marking process 

Screen printing on plastic and glass objects is used in many industrial sectors, including advertising, catering, cosmetics, packaging and many others. Objects such as plastic bottles, glassware, perfume bottles, packaging boxes, toys, kitchen utensils, promotional items, etc. can be personalised and marked using screen printing.

The screen printing process begins with the creation of the design to be printed on the object. This design is usually created digitally using graphic design software. Once the design is ready, a screen is prepared. This screen is usually made of silk or nylon stretched over a wooden or aluminium frame. The screen is then covered with a photosensitive layer.

3. The tools 

After coating, the design is transferred to the screen by exposure to light. The parts of the design exposed to light harden and form the openings through which the ink will pass during printing. The parts of the design that are not exposed are washed, creating the areas that are impermeable to ink.

Once the screen is ready, it is mounted on a special servo-driven LVM printing machine. The plastic or glass object is placed under the screen and the ink is poured over it. A doctor blade is then used to force the ink through the screen openings and transfer the design onto the object. This process is repeated for each object to be printed.

4. Drying

After printing, the objects undergo a traditional UV or LED UV drying process to allow the ink to harden. Some objects may also require additional treatment, such as an oven treatment to set the ink permanently.

Screen printing on plastic and glass objects requires both technical and artistic skills. Screen printers must be able to prepare screens, mix inks to obtain the desired colours, set up the printing machine and check the quality of the print. They must also have a good knowledge of the properties of the materials they work with, so that they can choose the appropriate inks and printing techniques.

In addition to their technical skills, screen printers must also have a well-developed artistic sense to create attractive, harmonious designs. They may work in collaboration with graphic designers or customers to translate their ideas into printable designs.

Screen printing on plastic and glass objects has many advantages. It allows objects to be personalised and individualised, which is highly valued in advertising and marketing. It also offers high durability and resistance to wear and tear, making it a suitable printing technique for objects intended for everyday use.

5. Conclusion

In conclusion, screen printing on plastic and glass objects is a specialised craft that enables motifs to be printed on a wide variety of objects. It requires both technical and artistic skills, as well as a good knowledge of the materials used. Thanks to this printing technique, it is possible to create attractive, personalised objects that are suitable for a wide range of industrial sectors.