Elevating Plastic Packaging with Screen Printing

Screen printing is one the most common print technology in plastic container decoration. It’s a technique used to apply information such as size, weight & volume, brand details, durability & legibility, nutritional details, expiration and production dates, symbols and storage instructions onto the surface of plastic packaging such as bottles, jars, jerrycans and buckets.

Screen printing is very vital for products that need to stand out from competitors on the shelf and has a reputation for being cost-effective and providing good coverage. Appealing prints and texture along with product information can increase market demand, which is why screen printing on plastic containers is crucial for your brand.

A screen-printed design is intended to last for many years, regardless of the lifetime of the bottle. Subsequently, the bottle’s value will remain consistent, allowing for convenient re-use.

Blowplast screen printing machine can handle up to 10 colors at a go on a single container and involves the following steps:

Mesh preparation

This is the first step in screen printing that involves mesh cleaning, degreasing, coating and drying. Thorough preparation of the mesh removes any residual inks, coatings, or contaminants from previous uses.  Following these crucial steps helps in achieving high-quality prints and graphics.

Screen Preparation

The required screen (also known as a stencil) is chosen. The design to be printed is created by applying multiple coats on the screen using a photosensitive emulsion to achieve the desired stencil thickness and then allowed to dry completely. Thereafter the screen is inspected before printing and a test print is done on a sample plastic material to check for print quality and color accuracy. Any necessary adjustments are then made before proceeding with mass production runs.

Machine setup

To ensure that the printing is accurate on the surface, the print machine is adjusted to match the dimensions of the plastic container. The operator places the screen on the container at a proper angle, and then rotates the container to have the prints on all the required surfaces.

Screen coating

It involves applying a photosensitive emulsion to a mesh screen to create a stencil of the desired design, critical for producing sharp and accurate designs.

Preparation and Positioning of the container

The plastic container is thoroughly cleaned to remove any dust, grease, or dirt that may interfere with the ink’s adhesion.

Screen setting

To achieve exact alignment, the screen is placed over the container and held in place with jigs or fittings.

Printing

Ink is applied to the screen and a squeegee is used to press the ink through the mesh openings onto the container. The type of ink used is specially formulated to adhere to plastic surfaces.

Drying

To help enhance the longevity of the design, the container is then dried.

Quality control

The printed and dried containers are then inspected for any defects or inconsistencies in the print before being dispatched.

Advantages of Screen Printing on Plastic Containers

Durability: The ink used in screen printing is typically very durable and resistant to scratches, chemicals, and environmental hazards.

Versatility: It can be used on a wide range of plastic materials and container shapes.

Color Vibrancy: Screen printing produces vibrant and opaque colors that stand out on plastic surfaces.

Cost-Effective for Large Runs: While initial setup costs can be high, screen printing becomes cost-effective for large production runs.

Blowplast offers screen printing services that are tailored to your product requirements. Get in touch with us at +254 722 438 477 / +254 733 438 477 to find out more about our screen printing and plastic packaging products.

Written by

Angela Kaberia

Marketing Manager