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Frequently Asked Questions.
WHAT IS SCREEN PRINTING?
WHAT IS 4-COLOR PROCESS?
WHAT IS SPOT COLOR?
WHAT IS LPI?
WHAT IS SCREEN COUNT OR MESH COUNT?
WHAT IS THE LIMITATION ON COLORS?
CAN I GET AN ONLINE QUOTE?
| Q: |
What is screen printing? |
| A: |
Method in which ink is forced through a screen made of silk or other material onto the substrate being printed. The process starts with artwork. Each color of the design requires a screen so the artwork is seperated into its component colors. This is done on the computer and each color separation is printed.
Next screens are prepared. The screen holds a nylon mesh stretched over it. The mesh is coated with a light sensitive emulsion that allows the ink to pass when printed. Once the ink is applied then the t-shirt must briefly pass through a dryer to ensure the design is fixated to the t-shirt. |
| Q: |
What is 4-Color Process? |
| A: |
The four colors, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black ( CMYK ), are printed as halftones to interact with each other and the white background of the shirt to create color and tonal values. A variety of colors can be represented, but some colors are impossible to produce.
The 4-color process is used mostly for photographic or digitally creations because many shades and colors can be produced with only four screens. |
| Q: |
What is SPOT Color? |
| A: |
Spot colors are specially mixed inks that are applied on a t-shirt printing press or other presses, as opposed mixing the four inks which make up process printing. [ CMYK ] Spot colors can be produced in more vibrant range of colors.
Because they only use one ink roller, one plate, and one negative, spot colors can reduce the cost of printing when you limit your ink choices to black and one spot color. For example, if you choose to print a blue and black letterhead in process inks, you will actually need three inks on three rollers (with associated plates, etc): Cyan, Magenta, and Black. |
| Q: |
What is LPI? |
| A: |
LPI: The printing term for Lines Per Inch. LPI refers to the rows of dots in half tones or the frequency of the screen. For example, most newspapers print halftones at 85 lpi, while a magazine or book will use 133 lpi or higher. Most inexpensive computer printers use a 53 lpi frequency, while a high end 600 X 600 dpi printer will use 85 to 100 lpi frequency.
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| Q: |
What is Screen Count or Mesh Count? |
| A: |
Mesh is the designation of threads per inch in a screen weave. Low mesh counts have double digit counts, for example: 60-mesh. High mesh counts have numbers generally from 195 and up.
Typical Mesh Counts =
60 to 90 mesh: Used to print heavy coats of ink for special effects like glitter.
110 mesh: Most commonly used mesh. Prints line art and type; also underbase whites.
230 to 305 mesh: Used for detailed line art or process color on manual presses. High quality images.
355 and up: Used primarily on auto presses, because it takes a lot of force to push ink through this mesh. It is hard to get a good 'lay' of ink (a thick coat), but the detail approaches the limits of what fabrics can show! |
| Q: |
What are the Limitations on Color? |
| A: |
If the artwork has individual colors, usually between 6-10, the screen printing method is used. However, if the artwork is "Full Color" like photographs or full color graphics with blends, gradients, flesh tones, SPOT colors, etc. the digital printing method is applied to the t-shirts. In summary there are NO color limitations to the digital method, and there are with the traditional screen printing method. |
| Q: |
Can I receive a QUOTE online? |
| A: |
YES. CLICK HERE FOR A QUOTE, or click the text link under the quoting tab on the left side of each page. Then proceed to use our high-tech T-Shirt DESIGNER. After viewing your quote, use this designer to create your t-shirt all online. Included is a preview, with choice of t-shirt color, adding text and graphics, etc. CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR T-SHIRT DESIGNER. |
 For further questions or concerns call or email us.
Phone: 1-877-206-9136
Email: techsupport@egrx.net
CLICK HERE FOR QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.
» CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR MAIN WEBSITE « for all your printing needs.
               
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