Making money screen printing can be a lucrative business
venture for people who understand the equipment, technology
and processes that are used. Screen printing is one
of the most versatile types of printing processes
because the ink can be reproduced on a variety of
materials such as paper, plastic, glass, metal, cotton,
and nylon. Items such as posters, T-shirts, decals,
labels, signs, etc. are just a few of the projects
that are created through the process.
When researching how to start a business of this
nature, it is important to understand the specific
characteristics that define the art. First, the ink
can be applied of greater thickness to its material
in that form, unlike in other processes. This can
create some very unique effects that would not otherwise
be possible within a standard process. People interested
in how to make money screen printing will find that
it is a more simplified process than traditional methods,
and therefore can incorporate a larger range of inks
and dyes.
The print business is becoming more popular because
production rates have improved. This is a result of
the development of rotary and automated presses, improved
dryers, and UV curable ink. The inks used can differ
widely. Emulsions, solvents, inks, oxidizers, and
caustics are common chemicals used. Making money screen
printing will involve variations of three elements:
the ink, the squeegee, and the screen which is the
image carrier. The process itself uses a tightly stretched
porous mesh over a wood or metal frame. A stencil
is produced manually or photo chemically, and is referred
to as the image plate. The ink is applied to the material,
is placed over top of the screen and forced through
the mesh using a squeegee and application of force.
The ink will pass through the mesh where there is
no stencil. The larger the openings in the mesh, the
more ink will push through, the smaller the openings
in the mesh, the less ink will push through.
There are factors to consider when developing a print
business, such as composition, size and form, pressure,
angle, and speed of the squeegee. Making money screen
printing will be hard to do, if the products being
made are not carefully printed and accurate reproductions.
The squeegee blades used to be made from rubber, and
therefore would wear out requiring replacements often.
Those wanting to learn how to make money screen printing
should purchase polyurethane squeegee blades that
can produce up to 25,000 impressions without wearing
out.
This business is also about saving money: the saying
"a penny saved is a penny earned" holds
true. Once the item has been printed is undergoes
the drying process. There are ovens or a UV curing
system for this step in the process. A rotary mechanism
will push the material through a drying or curing
system automatically, and sometimes air drying may
be utilized for certain projects (becoming more rare).
The rate of production has always been determined
by how fast the material could dry. With new technological
advances, that rate has improved drastically allowing
a real profit. Therefore, when a person is tossing
around ideas on how to make money screen printing,
the best place to start is by investing in new technologically
advanced automated print processing and drying apparatus.
In addition to the equipment, there are three types
of processes that a potential business owner needs
to be aware of: the flat bed, the cylinder, and the
rotary. The flat bed and cylinder presses both use
a three step process and a flat screen. When making
money screen printing with a flatbed press, the material
to be printed is placed on a horizontal bed parallel
to the screen. With a cylinder press, the material
is mounted on a cylinder. Rotary printing is different.
Learning how to make money screen printing with rotary
presses involves designing continuous use for high
speed web printing. The screens are seamless metal
cylinders capped at both ends, and fitted into blocks
at the side of the press. The ink is submitted through
one end of the cylinder and a fresh supply of ink
is constantly maintained. The squeegee is free floating
inside the cylinder and pressure is maintained by
mounted magnets under the press bed. Rotary presses
are primarily used for printing textiles, wallpaper,
and other materials requiring unbroken and continuous
patterns.
Understanding how to make money screen printing can
be confusing, as different equipment and processes
are involved. Overall, the profit made in a business
largely will depend on the materials being used and
the types of projects being made. Specific supply
and equipment selection is mandatory when trying to
realize the highest profits for making money screen
printing. However, the most important aspect to starting
the business it to "seek first His Kingdom and
His righteousness, and all things will be added unto
you" (Matthew 6:33). When a person commits his
venture to God, and trusts in God's leading, He can
be assured of God's provision.