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Chapter 5 - Simulated Process Screen Printing

SECTION 9: Advanced Printing Techniques | CHAPTER OVERVIEW

Most of the full color “photo-realistic” type of images that you see printed on many t-shirts
today are printed with a screen printing technique known as simulated process screen
printing. In fact, almost all dark colored t-shirts sold commercially are printed with simu-
lated process because of the vibrant and realistic color reproduc-
tions that can be achieved.
Simulated process differs from traditional “four color
process” by the colors and type of inks that are used,
the way the colors are separated, the number of
screens involved, and the print order. For many years, four
color process printing was the standard method for printing
photo realistic images. However, four color process screen
printing on apparel does not come without its problems and
difficulties.

With the advent of simulated process printing, full color screen

printing is now much easier and can be done by any printer who knows the “secrets” and
the techniques. You’ll about it all in this valuable chapter.

Copyright © MMVIII, ASPA, Inc. All Rights Reserved

SIMULATED PROCESS SCREEN PRINTING
Topics in this chapter include:

(1) General Overview

(2) True Process (CMYK)
(3) Index (Stochastic) Printing
(4) Simulated Process
(5) Are You Sure You Want to Print Process Jobs?
(6) Customer Expectations of Print Quality
(7) Do You Have a High Quality Press?
(8) How Many Colors Will You Need to Print an “Acceptable” Result?
(9) Do You Have a High End Exposure Unit?
(10) Are You Using Retensionable Screens?
(11) Producing a Sample Prior to Production
(12) Sample Written Agreement for Process Jobs
(13) Using the Right Shirt
(14) Dealing with Problem Customers
(15) Do You Have the Physical Stamina?
(16) Choosing a Software Separation Program
(17) Are You Computer Savvy? You’ll Need to Be
(18) Alternatives (Farming Out the Job)
(19) Creating Separations in the Computer
(20) Type of File Formats That Work Best
(21) Preparing Artwork Prior to Separating
(22) Tweaking the Separations
(23) Outputting the Separations
(24) Using Inkjet Based Media for Making Film Positives
(25) Selecting the Output Parameters
(26) Making the Screens
(27) Mesh Counts That Work Best
(28) What Emulsion Works Best for This Type of Printing
(29) Setting up the Press
(30) Type of Inks That Work Best
(31) Squeegees That Work Best
(32) Print Order
(33) Proper off-Contact
(34) Printing Techniques
(35) Flashing Techniques
(36) Maintaining Quality Prints Throughout the Run
(37) What to Do When Things Go Wrong
(38) Color Separation Programs

Copyright © MMVIII, ASPA, Inc. All Rights Reserved