Rotary Screen Printing
Rotary screen printing is a printing method in which a cylindrical screen is used for each pattern, and color paste is printed while the fabric is continuously conveyed.
Contents6 sections
Definition and Overview
Rotary screen printing is a printing method in which color paste is pushed out from inside a cylindrical screen with openings to apply a pattern continuously to the fabric. A screen is prepared for each color, and multiple screens are lined up to create multicolor patterns.
Printing is a process that dyes a pattern onto the surface of the fabric, and it is not the name of a woven or knitted structure. Even with the same lawn or jersey, the finish changes depending on the material, structure, pretreatment, and the type of dye or pigment.
Features and Expression
Because printing is carried out in a continuous process, it is suitable for production above a certain volume and is an easy way to stably produce all-over patterns and repeating patterns. It is also used for patterns with multiple colors, such as floral patterns, geometric patterns, and stripes.
The texture, color development, pattern outline, and how much the dye shows through to the back side are affected by the base fabric material and thickness, the type of color paste, and post-processes such as drying, steaming, and washing. Rotary screen printing itself does not guarantee a specific texture or function.
- The pattern is repeated in units of the circumference of the cylindrical screen.
- As the number of colors increases, management of the screens used and alignment becomes necessary.
- For large solid areas, check color unevenness and how overlapping areas appear.
Main Applications
It is used for shirts, blouses, dresses, skirts, cut-and-sew items, linings, pajamas, and similar items that make use of all-over patterns. It is adopted according to the material and application, from lightweight fabrics to medium-weight fabrics.
Seasonality is determined not by the printing method but by the fabric material, fabric weight, structure, and finish. For lightweight fabrics for spring and summer, small airy patterns are chosen; for autumn and winter, all-over patterns on medium-weight fabrics are selected. The base fabric and pattern are chosen to match the intended plan.
Selection and Handling Notes
When selecting, confirm the pattern size and repeat, number of colors, ground color, and whether pattern matching is required. In sewing, check the front and back of the fabric and the pattern direction before cutting, and set the required yardage while accounting for pattern matching needed for the front body, collar, pockets, and other parts.
Shrinkage mainly comes from the fibers, structure, and finish of the base fabric, so it cannot be judged by the printing method alone. Before mass production, carry out wetting and washing tests to check shrinkage rate, color fading, color transfer, and how the pattern appears.
Follow the product's care label for washing and ironing conditions. For dark or highly saturated patterns, be careful of color transfer due to friction and transfer to other products, and check in advance for soiling during sewing and fading caused by pressing.
Differences from Similar Terms
Screen printing is a general term for printing methods that use a screen plate. Rotary screen printing is a method that uses a cylindrical screen and prints onto fabric in a continuous process.
Hand screen printing is a method operated by a person using a flat screen plate, and it differs from rotary screen printing in the shape of the plate and the production process. Auto screen printing generally refers to a method that also uses a flat screen plate.
Inkjet printing is a method that ejects ink based on digital data and does not require a screen plate. Rotary screen printing uses a separate screen for each color, so design changes and production quantity must be considered.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between rotary screen printing and roller printing?
Rotary screen printing is a method in which color paste is passed through a perforated cylindrical screen onto the fabric. Roller printing is a method of printing with an engraved roller. Both are continuous printing methods, but the structure of the plate and the way the pattern is made are different.
Does fabric printed with rotary screen printing shrink when washed?
The degree of shrinkage varies depending on the material, such as cotton or rayon, the woven or knitted structure, finish processing, and washing conditions. It cannot be determined by rotary screen printing alone. At the planning stage, check the fabric shrinkage data and, if necessary, carry out washing tests.
If pattern matching is required, what should be considered in the yardage?
Check the pattern repeat and pattern direction, and allow for matching the pattern position at the center of the body, placket, collar, pockets, and similar areas. The required yardage may be greater than for ordinary solid fabric. Before cutting, it is important to check the pattern position for each roll and the pattern condition at the ends as well.
