What is screen printing capable of? What are the industrial applications of that specialised print technology? A newly launched online reference guide to functional screen printing will provide answers to those questions and illustrate them with examples from numerous industrial fields.
“Consumers and customers are hardly aware that screen printing is present in products they use every day. This poses a challenge to screen printing operators who struggle with explaining their full capacities to the customers.” – says Thomas Struckmeier, Managing Director of Blase GmbH & Co. KG, member of bvdm technical committee, Fespa Board member and Technology Partner of ESMA. A solution to cover the knowledge gap is now offered by the website www.screenprinting-technology.org, developed by the German Printing and Media Industries Federation (bvdm) and the Deutsches Institut Druck (DID). The internet platform compiles screen printing applications from areas such as textiles and clothing, electronic equipment, sensors, membrane switches and reflective coatings but does not omit graphical processes. Next to different application examples, visitors can learn about requirements for materials and substrates, as well as their usage characteristics.
A firm online presence builds the core of the project introduced by Rudi Röller, Executive Board Member of both DID and Kissel + Wolf GmbH, whose ambition was to continue the pro-screen initiative. “Screen printing manufacturers and service providers can use the platform to demonstrate their potential and customers can gain a comprehensive view of screen printing applications. Over time a sort of screenprinting database – what I call ‘Seripedia’ – will emerge to serve consumers, product developers as well as employees and apprentices entering the sector.” – explains Röller.
The entry of data on the website remains open to public, manufacturers and service providers. A structured online form encourages the upload of text and images illustrating different screen printing applications. “In order to guarantee the quality and clarity of the submitted content, all companies participating in the project can count on our editorial support.” – ensures Karl Michael Meinecke of bvdm. Technical assistance is provided by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Gunter Hübner, an expert in digital and screen printing at the Stuttgart Media University.
Available in both German and English, www.screenprinting-technology.org will be presented to the public for the first time at FESPA 2015. Official presentations will take place during the show on 18th, 19th and 21st May. Visitors to the ESMA stand can watch an on-going video presentation of the project.
For more information and input of application examples, please contact the project leader Karl Michael Meinecke at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or write to ESMA at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
