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Silk Screen Printing

Precision Graphics for Industrial and Commercial Applications

Silk screen printing is a tried and true method for applying graphics, labels, and identification markings to various surfaces, including metal, plastic, and glass. Associated Finishing specializes in high-quality silk screen printing for industries that require durable, detailed prints that withstand demanding environments. Our precisely tooled fixtures ensure close tolerance applications, delivering consistent results across high-volume production.

Whether you need brand logos, safety instructions, control panel graphics, or product labels, our silk screen printing process provides sharp, long-lasting results that adhere well to both coated and uncoated surfaces.

What Is Silk Screen Printing?

Silk screen printing uses a mesh stencil and specialized inks to transfer a design onto the desired surface. This method provides bold, high-contrast graphics that remain resistant to abrasion, chemicals, and UV exposure.

Unlike digital printing or stickers, silk screen printing directly bonds the ink to the substrate, offering greater durability for industrial, commercial, and manufacturing applications.

silk screen printmaking. male hands with a squeegee. serigraphy production selective focus photo. printing images on clothes by silk screen method in a design studio

Benefits of Silk Screen Printing

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Long-Lasting Performance

Silk screen printing uses high-quality, solvent-resistant inks that withstand:

  • Abrasion and wear from daily use
  • Harsh industrial chemicals and solvents
  • UV exposure, preventing fading over time
  • High temperatures and environmental conditions

This makes it a preferred printing method for equipment panels, aerospace components, medical devices, and automotive parts.

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High Precision and Versatility

Associated Finishing’s in-house tooling and fixture development create consistent print quality on flat and slightly contoured surfaces. Our silk screen printing capabilities include:

  • Fine-line graphics and sharp text for control panels and warning labels
  • High-opacity inks for excellent visibility on dark or coated surfaces
  • Multi-color designs for enhanced branding
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Cost-Effective for High-Volume Production

Silk screen printing is an efficient and repeatable process, making it ideal for medium to large production runs. Once created, the screen can be reused for consistent, high-quality prints across multiple batches, reducing per-unit costs.

Industries That Rely on Silk Screen Printing

Associated Finishing provides custom silk screen printing for a variety of industries, including:

Industrial & Manufacturing

Control panels, identification labels, and machine markings

CNC lathe control panel buttons, light bulbs, switches. Lathe Control Panel

Automotive & Transportation

Dashboards, warning labels, and branding components

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Medical Devices

Instrument labeling, surgical tool markings, and durable identification graphics

Medical-Industry-Silk-Screening-Equipment-Doctor

Aerospace & Defense

Mission-critical labeling for high-performance components

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Consumer Products

Branded product graphics, decorative accents, and appliance markings

Modern washing machine equipment stands at home

Our precise registration and durable ink formulations make silk screen printing essential for functional and aesthetic applications.

Silk Screen Printing vs. Pad Printing

Associated Finishing offers pad printing as an alternative to silk screen printing for small, curved, or irregular surfaces. For control panels, flat product branding, and industrial labeling, silk screen printing is preferred, while pad printing is ideal for precision markings on small or complex parts.

Feature Silk Screen Printing Pad Printing
Best for Large, flat, or slightly curved surfaces Small, highly detailed, irregular surfaces
Durability High resistance to wear, chemicals, and UV Strong adhesion for fine details
Production Volume Ideal for mid-to-large runs Suitable for both small and large runs

Artwork Requirements for Silk Screen Printing

For new silk screen printing projects, artwork must be submitted in the correct format to ensure sharp, high-quality prints. Our graphic design partners can assist in preparing files, but we prefer vector-based formats for optimal results.

Preferred File Formats

  • Adobe Illustrator (.ai) – Best option for precision printing
  • CorelDraw (.cdr), QuarkXPress, and InDesign – Acceptable alternatives
  • PDF files – Can work but may require adjustments

The artwork should be sized precisely for the final print and have clear vector lines to prevent pixelation. Files can be emailed to quotes@associatedfinishing.com for processing.

Complete Finishing Solutions from Associated Finishing

In addition to silk screen printing, we provide comprehensive finishing services, including:

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Powder Coating

Durable, high-performance coatings for metal substrates

liquid painting

Liquid Coating

Military-spec CARC coatings and specialty finishes

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Abrasive Blasting

Surface preparation for optimal coating adhesion

Chemical-PreTreatment-SprayLean-Washer-elevated-modules

Chemical Stripping

Safe, effective coating removal for part restoration

With five facilities and decades of expertise, we deliver turnkey solutions for industrial and commercial manufacturers.

Request a Quote for Silk Screen Printing

If you need precision graphics, labeling, or branding on metal, plastic, or glass surfaces, Associated Finishing has the expertise to deliver high-quality, long-lasting results.

Contact us today to discuss your project or request a quote.