1. Flat-Bed Screen Printing (Sheet-Fed)
How it works:
The material is held flat on a vacuum table or platen while a screen is placed above it. Ink is pushed through the screen using a squeegee in a linear motion.
Common for:
Graphic overlays, membrane switches, nameplates, flexible circuits
Medical and industrial labels
Rigid and flexible sheets (PET, PC, PVC, etc.)
Features:
High precision, especially with CCD alignment
Ideal for thicker inks and spot colors
Compatible with automation and semi-auto systems
2. Rotary Screen Printing
How it works:
A cylindrical screen rotates while ink is pumped inside. The material moves continuously underneath, making it ideal for roll-to-roll processing.
Common for:
Textiles, wallpaper, flexible electronics
Large-volume web materials
Features:
Fast, continuous production
Best for flexible substrates
Limited to simpler graphics and lower registration accuracy compared to flat-bed
3. Cylinder Screen Printing (Stop Cylinder / Rotary-Flat Hybrid)
How it works:
Combines the speed of rotary motion (with a rotating cylinder holding the substrate) and the precision of flat-bed screen printing (the screen remains flat while the substrate moves under it).
Common for:
High-quality graphic printing
Decals, glass panels, nameplates
Medium- to high-speed runs with tight tolerances
Features:
High-speed + high precision
Suitable for large-format sheets
Often used in automated production lines
