Questions & Answers
Q:What is the greatest number of colors you have screen printed?
A: Most screen-printing jobs range from one color to a handful, but we have completed complex projects using up to 14 colors.
Q:What is the most difficult part of screen printing?
A: Screen printing remains a hands-on craft that requires physical skill and a sharp eye. One of the most challenging parts is color matching. Inks must be mixed manually, adjusting formulas until the exact hue and shade are correct.
Lighting, material type, and the order of printed layers all affect the final appearance, making precision essential.
Q:What does the process of color mixing/color matching look like?
A: To match colors accurately, we mix several inks together until we achieve the exact shade required. Once mixed, the color is tested under the same lighting conditions where the decal will be displayed to ensure accuracy.
Q:What is the difference between screen printing and digital printing?
A: Screen printing is a hands-on art form where each color is applied one layer at a time to build the final design.
Digital printing works more like an oversized inkjet printer. Once the artwork is prepared, the printing process is fast and automated, suitable for a wide range of materials.
Q:What is the largest and smallest screen you can produce?
A: We produce decals ranging from ½ inch in size up to 7 feet wide by 4 feet tall. Production runs can exceed 10,000 parts.
Q:What does the future of screen printing look like in signage and decals?
A: Despite advancements in digital printing, screen printing remains the top choice for durability. It is still preferred for decals used in harsh environments such as agriculture, construction, marine, and industrial applications.
Q:When did screen printing first show up in the modern world?
A: Screen printing traces back to between 960–1279 AD, but the modern version emerged in 1907 when Samuel Simon of England patented a method using silk mesh for commercial printing.
Q:
How did screen printing influence the boom of decals on vehicles and agricultural equipment?
A: In 1946, screen printer Forest Gill invented the bumper sticker by combining fluorescent paint with self-adhesive paper. This breakthrough sparked the rise of adhesive vehicle graphics as we know them today.
Screen-printing made it possible to mass-produce high-quality decals that were weatherproof, which was an essential function when producing agricultural decals.
The Evolution of Screenprinting in the Decal Industry
Expansion into Industrial Applications: (1930s-40s)
In WWII, screen printing was used to make labels, warning decals, and instructions for machinery, along with banners, flags, and other signage.
Birth of the Modern Sign Market: (1950s)
Screen printing is adopted by billboard companies and vehicle branding. Decals become weather-resistant, opening up outdoor advertising opportunities. Introduction of solvent-based inks and plastisol.
The Big Boom: (1960s-1970s)
- •Adhesive-backed vinyl film has become common for decals.
- •Large-format screens allow oversized graphics for buses and trucks.
- •Multi-station presses enable faster production time for high-volume orders.
- •Signage companies start specializing in custom corporate branding.
Industrial Scale Production: (1980s)
- •Semi-automatic and fully automatic presses dominate, boosting speed and reducing labor costs.
- •UV curable inks emerge, meaning instant dry times and excellent outdoor durability.
- •Mass production of decals for appliance panels, control boards, and industrial labeling.
Peak Dominance: (1990s)
- •Large-scale screen printing reaches its peak share in the signage industry.
- •Specialized inks for metallic finishes, reflective coatings, and textured effects become common.
- •Fleet graphics boom, with large decal kits produced in volume.
Hybrid Era: (2000s-2010s)
- •Combination of digital printing and screen printing emerges.
- •Digital printing for complex imagery and screen printing for solid color layers and protective overcoats.
Custom Graphics Inc.
Instagram:
@Customgraphicsinc
Facebook:
@Customgraphicsfargo