Silkscreen Printing: What It Is and Why This Printing Method Is Chosen for Packaging Branding

Silkscreen printing is a stencil printing method in which ink is pushed through a mesh (stencil) stretched over a frame onto the surface of a product. The name itself comes from the traditional mesh material — silk. Although modern stencils are now increasingly made from polyester or nylon. A special photo-emulsion blocks the areas of the mesh that should not be printed, while ink is evenly transferred through the open areas onto the material. Accordingly, a separate stencil is needed for each color, which is why this technology is suitable for images with a limited number of colors and no gradients.

Unlike digital printing, screen printing can be applied in a thicker layer of ink to adjust brightness on dark materials. That’s why silkscreen printing is always about high color saturation and image durability.

Screen Printing Application Technology

Producing flexible packaging with screen printing is done in several stages.

Stencil preparation. At this stage, craftsmen apply a light-sensitive emulsion to the mesh and then expose it to ultraviolet light. After that, the “unexposed” areas are washed off with water, forming the stencil pattern.

Packaging preparation. The surface of the package is cleaned of dust and degreased. This is necessary for the ink to adhere properly to the base.

Image application. Next, the craftsman places the stencil over the packaging and evenly spreads the ink with a special rubber squeegee. This way, the ink is pushed through the mesh openings and transferred onto the packaging surface.

Drying. The branded packaging then undergoes heat treatment and chemical fixation. At this stage, the ink becomes resistant to rubbing or moisture. It doesn’t stick to hands and leaves no marks.

If additional colors need to be applied, the process is repeated for each stencil. Only this way can a clear print without blurred outlines be achieved.

Applications of Screen Printing

Silkscreen printing is often seen on our flexible packaging: stand-up pouches, flat-bottom bags, quad-seal bags, and center-seam packaging. Our clients often choose this branding method for:

• Coffee or tea;
• Snacks or sweets;
• Cereals or bulk products;
• Pet food.

For example, cookie packaging with a logo applied using the screen printing method will always stand out on the shelf among competing products. This, in turn, increases product recognition and customer loyalty.

However, the most common items for branding at Aris Shop are coffee bags. It’s not always just a logo — sometimes it’s graphic scenes or even portraits. For example, as with the Kharkiv roastery Klava — the brand’s main character, a red-haired girl, is printed on the packaging. This is a fairly technically complex design for screen printing, since several colors are used along with thin lines, which requires considerable skill and special equipment.

Bright designs on kraft material are also challenging for screen printing, as the material usually makes them appear muted and softer. To address this, our craftsmen apply the design in several layers to make it dense and “loud.”

Advantages of Silkscreen Printing for Packaging Branding

If you’re looking for bags with a logo, silkscreen printing has a number of undeniable advantages over other branding methods.

Color durability. The dense layer of ink produces a vivid image that doesn’t fade in the sun or wear off from moisture. This is truly important, considering the journey flexible packaging takes from production to the customer.

Economic benefit. For the first print run, the cost of producing the stencil is included in the price, but after that you pay only for the colors and the packaging itself. Accordingly, the larger the print run, the lower the cost per branded bag.

Variety of materials. Silkscreen printing looks equally aesthetic on both kraft and recyclable materials. Whether you choose transparent, matte, or glossy packaging — we apply screen printing to all of them.

Additional effects. In addition to regular inks, our range also includes fluorescent and metallic inks, giving free rein to creativity and creative solutions.

Silkscreen printing is a universal way to brand packaging for businesses that value image quality and a favorable price at any print run.