Q&A with Colin Lee on Screen Printing

A big part of The Vinyl Studio is screen printing not only our own products but products for others! Today we wanted to show you a little bit more about screen printing actually is, and how the process works here at TVS!

Screen printer, Colin Lee mixing customize colors!

Q: What is screen printing?

Colin: Screen printing is a way to print graphics on a fabric or other material that involves transferring a design using a mesh screen, ink, and a squeegee.

Q: How does screen printing work?

Colin: It works by forcing ink through a screen in specific densities and positions to form a design. Then the ink is cured with heat (but not dried) so that it is permanent.

Q: What is a typical day like?

Colin: My day starts with exposure and burning designs on the screens with UV lights to get them ready for projects. Then I spend time mixing colors and additives to form the ink I need for the different projects up on the schedule. From there it goes project by project until the day is over and I have to cast the screens with a reactant chemical called emulsion. I also try to make time every day to clean the old screens so I have plenty to use for the next projects in our pipeline.

Q: What is your favorite part about screen printing?

Colin: My favorite part is by far the washout and exposure process because it’s prety easy but super gratifying when it turns out smooth.

Q: What are some favorite prints you’ve done?

Colin: I have a lot of favorites, but I really love anything with a band or a tattoo parlor. Also for in-house designs I love Be F***ing Nice and Support Your Local Dive Bar, because I have to use specific techniques to make them look vintage.

We hope this little Q&A helped you learn a little bit more how the screen printing process works here at TVS! Come back soon.

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