Silkscreen printing involves several printing processes to create high-resolution prints on various types of plastic materials. The technique requires mesh screens, a squeegee, and specialized ink. The mesh screen, containing the desired design, is prepared first. Then, the specialized ink is spread over the screen, and a squeegee is used to push the ink through the open spaces onto the plastic surface. This process is cost-effective and produces a wide range of printed images, showcasing precision and vibrant colors on polycarbonate and acrylic materials.

(Polycarbonate sheets, acrylic sheets, and any other plastics you support.)

You’re correct—printing before CNC can be better in many cases. Here’s a concise comparison and guidelines to help decide which workflow to use:

Why print before CNC (advantages)

• Registration: Easier to hold tight registration on flat sheets before cutting/routing.
• Fixturing: Simpler fixturing on flat panels vs. complex 3D parts.
• Higher throughput: Batch print full sheets, then nest parts for CNC—faster for volume production.
• Less handling risk: Reduces need for re-fixturing and potential damage during post-print machining.
• Edge protection: Prints won’t be scuffed by router bits or tooling; you control edge clearance when nesting.

When to prefer printing after CNC (advantages)

• Post-processing accuracy: Necessary if machining changes dimensions critical to print placement (e.g., holes, slots, formed edges).
• Complex 3D surfaces: If printing on contoured or non-flat areas created by forming or machining.
• Final surface condition: If machining introduces a finish or texture that affects adhesion and you can’t re-treat pre-machined parts.

Best practices if printing before CNC

• Plan nesting: Include appropriate bleed and safe zones; keep print clear of final cut lines or use kiss-cut/oversize print areas.
• Use registration marks: Print crop/registration marks to align during CNC nesting and routing.
• Protect prints during machining: Use sacrificial tabs, appropriate router speeds, and non-abrasive tooling; consider temporary protective films.
• Adhesion and curing: Fully cure inks and apply protective overcoat before machining. Verify ink flexibility and adhesion for downstream machining stresses.
• Tolerances: Account for routing kerf and part tolerance so printed features land correctly on final parts.
• Test run: Run samples through the full process—print, cure, CNC—to validate adhesion, print integrity, and dimensional placement.

Recommendation

• For flat parts and high-volume runs: print before CNC.
• For parts requiring post-machining critical alignment, holes, or contour printing: print after CNC or use hybrid approach (partial pre-print + final touch-up).

If you share part drawings (print artwork vs. final cut layout), material grade, and expected volume, I can recommend a specific workflow, nesting strategy, and ink/overcoat choice.

Control panels/faceplates, equipment labels, machine guard branding, enclosure panels, overlays.

We use UV‑curable and solvent/acrylic screen inks plus specialty formulations (UV‑stable pigments, abrasion/chemical‑resistant, adhesion promoters).

Yes — but durability depends on ink formulation, surface pretreatment, curing, and any topcoat.

• Color count: 1–6 spot colors typically; more colors possible with additional screens or multi-pass runs. Simulated process/halftones available for limited photographic effects.
• Pantone matching: Yes — spot PMS matching available; provide PMS numbers. Note slight variation can occur by substrate and ink type; we can print proofs.
• White ink: Yes — opaque white underbase and overprint white available for translucent/dark substrates.

If you need exact limits for your job, tell me max part size and target color count (or PMS numbers) and I’ll confirm feasibility and pricing.

Maximums depend on equipment, but typical capabilities:

• Maximum print area: up to 48″ × 96″ (1220 × 2440 mm) on large flatbed screen presses. Larger sheets possible by inquiry (custom or roll-to-roll setups).
• Common smaller presses: 24″ × 36″ and 36″ × 48″.

Yes — we offer both:

• Single‑side (standard): Print on one face of the part.
• Double‑side: Print both faces; requires fixturing/registration and may increase cost.
• Second‑surface / reverse printing: Yes — we can print reverse (mirror) images on the back side of clear/translucent polycarbonate so graphics are viewed through the material. This typically uses an opaque white underbase plus overprints and

AI/EPS/PDF/SVG; specify vector preferred, and whether you can assist with setup.

Yes — we can combine silk screen printing with die cutting, drilling, and adhesive backing.