Developing A (CTS) Computer-to-Screen Application Using an Inkjet Printer to Apply a Stencil Directly to the Mesh in a Hybrid Screen Printing Processes

This research explored an inkjet, computer-to-screen (CTS) imaging system to prepare print screens for screen-printing without the need for film or emulsion. The equipment for preparing a screen-printing screen utilized a MIMAKI UJF-6042 on-demand piezo head flatbed printer. In addition, this research developed a test target to standardize the imaging process and gauge the coverage amount that would sufficiently block out and hold a stencil allowing the ink to pass through a screen to create an image. A successful CTS system could provide an alternative to imaging film, emulsion, and capillary films and shorten the make-ready time for preparing to screen print.