MAKING MONEY WITH SCREEN PRINTING

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.