Activity Areas

The following list represents an expanded view of activity areas where production flow is most common in the average screen printing plant. You may wish to consider all, or some of these areas and sub-components as they apply to your specific production processes.  By identifying these areas of activity early, interrelationships should result in a more efficient workflow.

Pre-press/Digital

• Workstation computers for artwork generation
• Output devices
• Proofing systems
• Electrical and network considerations
• Lighting considerations
• Light tables
• Film inspection & staging area
• Artwork storage/filing system

Screen Making 

• Staging/storage/shelving area for screen frames
• Air lines for pneumatic style fabric stretchers
• Production area and tables for frame inspection and stretching fabric
• Screen fabric storage holder
• Ventilation for adhesive fumes

Stencil Making 

Light-safe area for storage of coated screens, and staging area for coating

Coating area for stencil application

Partial clean room area

Hot-air drying cabinet or screen racks with fans

Frame-holding device for emulsion coating

Humidity control

Non-dust-emitting ceiling tiles Corrective lighting  Emulsion coaters storage Screen storage Wet/dry vac with correct nozzle Temperature/humidity indicators Non-slip flooring with safe draining

 

Exposure

• Sufficient electrical requirements for exposure unit
• Light-safety enclosure around exposure unit
• Non-dust-emitting ceiling tiles
• Corrective lighting
• Lighting for pinholes in screen
• Layout table for registering photo tools to screens

Post Exposure Development/Stencil Degreasing/Reclamation

Hot and cold water (Filtration may be necessary.)

High-pressure washer

Washout tank (backlit preferred)

Adequate ventilation or exhaust hood for haze removal

Ease of entry and exiting type of door

Non-slip flooring with safe draining

Ink Mixing

Corrective general lighting

Light booth and color matching equipment capability

Heavy storage racks for base ink & mixed colors

Power mixers for ink

Flammable storage cabinets for solvents

Fire-rated walls, sprinkling devices & appropriate ventilation

Safe aisles for personnel and material handling

Appropriate furniture for measurement devices

Adequate grounding jumpers for large solvent containers

Stock Preparation

Storage/temperature & humidity considerations Sufficient material handling equipment Cutting equipment Trimmed for printing Staging area for printing

Printing and Drying Production

Area for registering artwork to substrate Staging for substrate to be printed  Staging area for printing — tool storage — flood bars/squeegees — ink & other misc. supplies  Squeegee sharpening area In-production color matching area Proper lighting  Hazardous materials clean-up area Adequate ventilation in printing production Hot air/rack drying and/or curing area Clear access around production area for material handling Sufficient electrical power and compressed air in production area

Finishing

Flooring considerations for die cutting (structural support) Electrical considerations for finishing equipment Large cutting equipment for trimming Sand blasting area Compressed air availability In-plant maintenance area

Inspection/Quality Control

Correct overhead lighting for inspecting specific items Light tables for backlit inspection Color matching/evaluation equipment Personnel inspection station equipment

Wrapping & Shipping 

Scales for weighing items  Staging area(s) awaiting shipping Adequate room for material handling Docking considerations Staging area for receiving  Material handling equipment – forklift/hand trucks/dollies Adequate tables for staging incoming production Equipment for banding/wrapping/tying/crating large items for shipment Compressed air for tools