SCREEN Printing and DIGITAL PRINTING

ECI Technologies offers both screen printing and digital printing. Both have their strengths and weaknesses and both can be equally dynamic aesthetically.

Screen printing

Screen Printing is a printing technique that uses a woven mesh with an ink-blocking image or stencil. The attached stencil forms open areas in the mesh that allows printable materials to be pressed through the mesh onto a substrate. A "squeegee" or rubber blade is moved across the mesh, forcing ink into the open areas for transfer during the squeegee stroke.

Strengths & Weaknesses

- Bold vibrant colors but not halftone friendly
- Opacity
- Repeatable color match

Digital printing

Digital Printing refers to methods of printing from a digital-based image directly to a variety of substrates using laser or inkjet processes and equipment.

Strengths &  Weaknesses

- Half Tone capability but difficult to match colors batch to batch
- 3D appearance but poor opacity
- Exotic graphics

ECI will work with you to decide what technology works best with your needs.

Some potential uses are:

  • Bio Feedback - EKG and ECG Sensors

  • Time Release Transdermal Patches

  • Capacitance Switching Systems

  • Photovoltaic Cells

  • RFID Antennae

  • Shielding

  • Batteries

  • Heaters

Printed Electronics are changing our world each and every day. ECI works in conjunction with our customers to develop and produce conductive printed electronic solutions for a wide variety of industries. Combining various printed materials such as Nickel, Carbon, Silver, Zinc, Tungsten, Silver/Silver Chloride and others, we work to find the perfect blend of materials for your application.

Graphic Overlays More often these processes are not exclusive but used in combination to fulfill the projects requirements. We can use both technologies to create beautiful overlays for your membrane switches. By combining the two processes, you can truly get the best of both worlds - the highly aesthetic appeal of screen printing combined with the vibrant gradients that come from digital printing. The benefit to adding screen printing to a digitally printed overlay means the application of tinted windows, layers of opacity, and the addition of selective textures to the front.