Screen printing process

A method of screen printing a design on a substrate, the method comprising the steps of:

• selecting a design from a database maintained in a computer;
• using the computer, applying parameters to the design, the parameters including a scaling factor;
• transmitting the selected design and parameters to a computer-controlled plotter;
• cutting the selected design into stencil material using the computer-controlled plotter, the stencil including a perimeter;
• moving a printing screen between a printing position and an alignment position by rotating a portion of the printing screen carrying screen material about a pivot to reverse sides of the printing screen to facilitate application of the stencil to the screen material in the alignment position;
• registering the perimeter of the cut stencil with marks on the printing screen and securing the cut stencil to the printing screen;
• moving the printing screen from the alignment position to a printing position;
• applying the printing screen and cut stencil to a substrate;
• applying ink through the printing screen and stencil and onto the substrate, wherein the design is reproduced on the substrate.

A method of screen printing a design on a substrate using a computer-controlled stencil cutter, the method comprising the steps of:

• cutting, using the computer-controlled stencil cutter, a design into stencil material to form a cut stencil;
• rotating a printing screen carrying screen material about a pivot to reverse sides of the printing screen to an alignment position to facilitate application of the cut stencil to the screen material;
• securing the cut stencil to the printing screen in a selected location;
• rotating the printing screen about the pivot to reverse sides of the printing screen to a printing position;
• positioning the printing screen and cut stencil on the substrate;
• applying ink through the printing screen and cut stencil and onto the substrate, wherein the design is reproduced on the substrate.