Silkscreen Printing Process

What is Silkscreen Printing?
Silkscreen printing is a process that is used to print rich, professional-quality text and simple illustrations on replicated DVDROM, CDROM, Blu-ray, and HD DVD discs, as well as on blank recordable media.  This process is often done right after the replicated discs are made, and gives the disc a complete branded retail appearance before moving on to the packaging and insertion stage.

How It Works
Silkscreen printing starts with the creation of a screen for up to 5 different spot or Pantone Matching System colors (PMS), including the white flood coat.  A very fine nylon mesh stretched tightly over a frame forms the screen, hence the name.  Certain areas of the screen are blocked using high-resolution 80 line/inch photographic films, one for each color made from the digital artwork color separations.  Ink is forced through each screen with a squeegee and onto the top surface of the disc.  This is where the colors lay together to form the final, glossy image. 

Features and Benefits
While the silkscreen process has been highly modernized, it still produces better results with some types of artwork than with others.  Full-coverage solid-color discs are vibrant, glossy and true since the mixing process allows for even distribution of ink across the entire disc.  For "spot" colors that need exact Pantone color values, count on precise color matching from the first disc to the last.  When combined with vector text and imagery, silkscreen printing can produce sharp and clear text and exact color values.  This process has been refined and improved for more than a century and has characteristics of both a science and an art form.

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