Silk screen is a kind of logo printing technology that is applied directly on the surface of cosmetic containers. This is a traditional method used for product labelling, and a prominent way to promote a brand with attractive print designs over the containers. This article is for the information of cosmetic manufacturers, who wish to know more about this logo printing technology in order to choose the right one, among different options.
Labelling is a crucial step in cosmetics packaging, that let’s consumers learn about ingredients, and other information about the product. Nowadays, consumers have become more conscious about actually reading package labels, especially for products like cosmetics which often has heavy use of chemicals. Therefore, cosmetic manufacturers need an efficacious labelling solution, owing to simplicity, durability, costing and clarity, all of which are largely substantiated by the techniques of Screen Printing.
Screen Printing is an ancient art form that roots back to some ancient Chinese dynasty. It was used for textile printing mainly, eventually, it’s efficacy as a product labelling technology came into prominence around late 60s. Silk mesh was traditionally used before other types of woven mesh were developed, like polyester and nylon.
What Does Silk Screen Printing Look Like
Traditionally called serigraphy, silk screening is a form of analogue printing. The planar screen is made of two pieces —— a frame, primarily wooden or metallic and a strip of fine woven mesh that stretches across the frame, forming a lattice. This latticed part of the screen is designed with various elements like letters or symbols. The container is run over the designed part of the lattice, while emulsion (paint) is forced through with a squeegee, and onto the container, thus transferring the paint with the design getting imprinted on the container. To make this process work out flawlessly, the mesh needs to be tight enough so that it doesn’t bend over with the pressure.
The print usually comes out with a matt effect, that lays flat to the surface. This process is extremely versatile, given it’s simplicity and being low cost resource that works great with unique shapes of containers, it can be used singularly for cosmetic labelers, from lipstick tubes, to nail polish, perfume and compact, and whatnot!
Technically, one screen can be used for one color at a time, until and unless an opal-ish effect is needed, as though for design sake, or promotional messages. But that is usually not the goal for labelling, since it essentiates clarity.
Recent innovations of technologies have largely industrialised the process of silk screen printing. Today, screen printing machines can come in as many as 6 different screens in a single workstation. There doesn’t seem to be much of a limitation, when it comes to sizes of silk screens.
The simple technique of silk screen labelling makes it all encompassing, to be used on plastic, glass, metal or even paper packages.
Knowledge About Silk Screen Printing For Beauty Packaging
For cosmetic manufacturers the greatest advantage of using silk screen labelling is obviously the fact this process is simple and low cost; consequently, what makes it even more functional than other technologies is that it is a surefire solution. That is because, silk screen printing is not tied to any machining requirements or infrastructure, neither does it involve too many steps. Even Though there are silk screen machines now available in the market, with multiple features; the advancement doesn’t rule out the traditional, manual method, wherein one can even make their own silk screen, with more or less a no-money DIY.
Contemporary technologies of labelling include digital printing, sticker labels and hot stamping. But when it gets down to user-friendliness, cost and a wholly self-sufficient process, screen printing turns out to be the best choice.
However, there is a flipside to everything, so if there’s got to be any downsides to silk screen printing, it should be the fact that it’s hard to achieve high-gloss and metallic finishes with silk screen prints. Even if one uses high gloss emulsion or metallic paint, the effect will come in a filtered version on the imprint. Moreover, sometimes, in order to achieve formidable level of opacity of the imprints, the printing has to be repeated multiple times.
When it comes to unique designs, every silk mesh has to be built from scratch to facilitate the content and size of the subject (cosmetic container in this case). So for every size of font, and every signage, and every ingredient, there has to be a separate screen.
Why Is Silk Screen Used, Benefits
Silk screen is used widely by the cosmetic labelling, because these projects gets to be huge, with a truckload of containers to be printed. And big projects is what makes silk screen printing an extremely inexpensive resource, with high level of precision and quality. Which may not be the same for small projects.
The other most significant benefit about screen printing is that one can really have smooth sailing with this one when working with specially designed, cosmetic containers with rather peculiar shapes, and designs which may have elevated or dented areas, or some kind of engraved design. The color will transfer evenly, and in bold letters, or as is desired.
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