expert knowledge on the viscosity, pigmentation, and durability of screen printing inks so you can determine if screen printing is a good fit for your next project.
Ink Viscosity
How thick or thin is your screen printing ink? This determines its viscosity. The thinner the ink, the lower the viscosity. The way you measure viscosity is by testing how quickly or slowly ink flows under pressure. Screen printing inks tend to have a higher viscosity than their inkjet counterparts.
Resins, pigments, and even binding agents can impact how viscous an ink is. Coating weight, drying speed, and solvent retention are other important factors in ink viscosity, helping you determine whether or not you’ll be able to achieve even coverage and accurate color match when and where ink is applied. Accurately measuring viscosity will help you obtain optimal results with any printing process.
At Marabu, we understand the relationship between ink viscosity and quality screen printing results. From solvent-based to UV and LED-curable inks, we’ve spent decades mastering vibrant, versatile screen printing inks for our clients.
Ink Durability
Can your ink stand the test of time? Indoor, gentle-use items such as t-shirts with screen printed graphics will remain bright and beautiful for five to 10 years, whereas outdoor applications, such as event signage and vehicle graphics, may only last for about five years. UV exposure and weather conditions factor into the lifetime of screen printing inks, but there’s another key element to consider: quality.
When you choose Marabu inks, you know you’re getting the best of the best in modern ink technology. Durable inks are crucial to executing your creative vision and trusting that your printing projects are built to last. We care about the longevity of your products, and it shows in our own premium products.
Ink Pigmentation
The pigmentation of screen printing inks simply refers to the depth and vibrancy of their color. You likely want your packaging, textiles, and other projects to stand out from their surroundings with a rich blend of superior colors, and these are the exact results you’ll see if you choose high-quality, durable inks. The more pigment you add, the more bold and unique your designs have the potential to become.
Marabu’s high-gloss, high-opacity inks are expertly crafted to bring images to life. With our inks, you experience a new dimension of long-lasting color no matter where your printing projects are used or displayed.
Are Screen Printing Inks Right for Your Next Project?
If you’re still trying to decide whether screen printing or a different printing method is the correct choice, we can provide a closer look at the broad spectrum of applications where our inks shine:
Textiles
Screen printing inks are ideal for apparel such as t-shirts, jackets, caps, and tote bags. Other textiles include bedding, curtains, fine art, wall murals, and promotional products. We recommend solvent-based inks for their ability to withstand wear and fading.
Signage
Yard signs, banners, flags, retail signs, posters, and displays are all common in the world of screen printing. Because they may face high temperatures, high humidity, UV rays, and other adverse conditions, we recommend a UV-curable ink like Ultra Form UVFM.
Electronics
Across the automotive and healthcare industries in particular, screen printing inks are incredibly valuable for delivering long-lasting designs to wearable devices, biosensors, and critical communication and safety devices within vehicles. UV-based and LED-curable inks work best here due to their flexibility and durability in the face of high heat and humidity.
Glass and Ceramics
These surfaces are another great pick for a UV-based ink such as Ultra Glass LEDGF. Whether it’s restaurant glass, glass bottles, or tile, a top-notch screen printing ink can add a stunning finishing touch to even the most challenging project.
Advertising Materials
Are you looking to elevate your brand? Choose a screen printing ink to make your advertising materials WOW customers and attract attention to your products, your services, or your company. Both indoor and outdoor signage and branded merchandise will look incredible and last for years, sending a positive message about your own organization’s commitment to quality and making your brand stick in customers’ minds.
Marabu: A Modern Force in Innovative Screen Printing Inks
The screen printing industry will continue to evolve, and Marabu will continue to evolve with it. As sustainability, digital technologies, and enhanced performance characteristics shape what’s possible, we will forge ahead with new product development and cutting edge technology.
Screen printing is a modern method for bringing vibrancy and allure to products like graphic t-shirts and posters, but it’s also an ancient art. You’ll find a handful of experts who claim screen printing’s true origins are prehistoric cave wall sketches, but even if you don’t want to go back that far, you can definitely trace the history back more than 1,000 years. Artists in China were already using finely woven mesh and block stencils to transfer designs onto fabric. Those early methods set the stage for today’s innovative screen printing inks and technologies.
So, what is screen printing? This process forces ink through a mesh screen onto a chosen surface. By creating areas where the ink can’t pass through the screen, you effectively make a stencil design that then becomes your desired image. Printing surfaces range from metal to glass to wood to plastic.
As a leader in the screen printing industry, Marabu has set the standard for innovation and quality with this printing method. We offer a diverse portfolio of top-quality inks for a variety of applications including fashion, vehicles, and more. With this blog, we’re also presenting you with
Whenever you’re ready for reliable, consistent printing and ink solutions, contact Marabu. We’re your trusted partner in top-quality printing processes and outcomes.
