The higher DPI, the higher resolution.ĭurometer: Unit of measurement used to describe the “hardness” of squeegee material. Discharge Base can be tinted with color pigments, but exact colors can be difficult to control.ĭPI: Dots per inch, a measure of spatial printing or video dot density, in particular the number of individual dots that can be placed in a line within the span of 1 inch (2.54 cm). When added, the emulsion will have a short shelf life.ĭiazo Emulsion: A two-part photosensitive emulsion.ĭischarge Ink: Works by removing the dye in the garment (needs a discharge activation powder) and creates a very soft-hand print. The powder helps with resolving extra detail and will also improve emulsion resistance qualities. RELATED: DEHAZE, DEGREASE, DE-GHOST WITH SGREEN™ STUFFĭiazo: A yellow powder that when added to an emulsion behaves as an Anti-Halation Additive.
RELATED: ENSURING PROPER INK CURINGĭarkroom: A room devoid of white light/ultraviolet (light that does not have the frequency used in curing/exposing emulsion) used for creating, coating, and exposing screens.ĭegrease: The process of washing a screen with a cleaning solution to remove all traces of dirt and oils prior to coating with emulsion.ĭehaze: A more aggressive cleaning agent to remove ghost images and emulsion haze from a screen. There are two types: normal for plastisol inks and water-resistant for water-based inks.īurn: To expose an emulsion-coated screen to a light source to create a stencil.Ĭapillary Film: A light sensitive emulsion film, used to create a stencil, that when applied to a screen with water adheres to the mesh by capillary action.Ĭoating: The process of applying direct emulsion to a screen.Ĭonveyor Dryer: A stationary heat source using a conveyor belt to pass garments under for a predetermined length of time to cure inks.Ĭurable Reducer: A liquid ink, added to plastisol ink, to quickly reduce viscosity.Ĭure: The process of using heat to completely fuse (cure) ink.
To help you out, we’ve compiled an alphabetical list of common screen printing terms, along with plenty of helpful links, to help you get started.īlock-out: An emulsion-like liquid that is used to fill in pin holes and to block out any area of the screen that you do not want ink to pass through. If you’re new to the screen printing world, all the terms and details may be a little overwhelming.