THE ART OF THE IMPRESSION: SCREEN PRINTING AT CANUCK SPORTS

Canuck Sports, screen printing is an essential process used to deliver high-quality branding on sportswear and ice hockey uniforms. We combine modern technology with skilled craftsmanship to produce prints that are sharp, durable, and visually strong. From design preparation to final curing, every stage is carefully controlled to ensure long-lasting results that maintain color strength, detail, and consistency even after repeated use and washing.

01. The Screen: The Foundation of Detail

The process begins with high-quality screens made from fine mesh materials stretched over strong frames. The mesh type is selected based on the design complexity, allowing us to achieve detailed prints for logos, numbers, and graphics. This ensures that ink passes evenly through the screen, resulting in clean and accurate designs on every garment.

02. The Stencil: Defining the Boundaries

A stencil is applied to control where the ink will pass through the screen. This step is critical for achieving sharp edges and preventing unwanted spreading of ink. Our process ensures that even small details remain clear and professional, especially for team logos and branding elements.

03. The Ink: Chemistry Meets Color

We carefully select inks based on the fabric type and design requirements.

  • Water-based inks provide a soft and breathable finish
  • Plastisol inks offer strong colors and high durability

Using Pantone color standards, we ensure that your brand colors are accurately matched and remain consistent across all products.

04. Design Preparation: Technical Separation

Before printing, designs are prepared through color separation. Each color in the design is separated and assigned to a specific screen. This allows us to build detailed, multi-color prints with clarity and precision, ensuring a professional final result.

05. Screen Exposure: The Power of UV

Screens are coated with a light-sensitive material and exposed to UV light using the design template. This process creates open areas where ink can pass through while blocking the rest, forming a precise printing surface for the design.

06. Screen Printing Setup: Alignment & Registration

Screens are carefully aligned on printing machines to ensure accurate placement on the garment. Proper alignment is essential for multi-color designs, where each layer must match perfectly without shifting or overlap.

07. The Squeegee: Controlled Pressure

The squeegee is used to push ink through the screen onto the fabric. By controlling pressure and angle, we ensure even ink distribution across the surface. This results in smooth, consistent prints without streaks or uneven areas.

08. Ink Application: The Transfer

Ink is applied across the screen and pressed through the open mesh areas onto the garment. This step transfers the design onto the fabric, creating a strong visual impact with rich and consistent color coverage.

09. Curing the Ink: Thermal Permanence

After printing, garments are passed through heat curing systems. This process bonds the ink to the fabric, making it resistant to washing, stretching, and fading. Proper curing ensures long-term durability of the print.

10. Multi-Color Precision: Layered Depth

For multi-color designs, each color is printed separately in layers. Between each layer, the ink is partially dried to maintain clarity. This method ensures vibrant colors and detailed designs, even on dark fabrics.

11. Systematic Clean-Up: Equipment Integrity

After production, all screens and tools are cleaned thoroughly to remove ink residue. This helps maintain equipment quality and ensures consistent results for future production runs.

CUTTING PROCESS

THE SCREEN

Canuck Sports, the screen is a key component of the printing process. We use high-quality mesh screens designed to maintain tension and stability during printing. This ensures consistent ink flow and detailed results for every garment.

THE STENCIL

The stencil controls the design boundaries and ensures that ink is applied only where required. This step guarantees sharp edges and accurate reproduction of logos and graphics.

THE INK

We use a variety of high-quality inks depending on the product requirements. Our ink selection ensures strong color performance, durability, and comfort for sportswear applications.

THE SQUEEGEE

The squeegee is used to apply controlled pressure during printing. This ensures that ink is distributed evenly across the garment, resulting in smooth and professional prints.

DESIGN PREPARATION

Designs are carefully prepared through color separation and technical setup. This ensures that each part of the design is printed accurately and without overlap.

SCREEN EXPOSURE

Screens are exposed to UV light to create the design template. This process allows precise control over ink placement and ensures detailed printing results.

PRINTING SETUP

Garments are positioned and secured on printing machines to ensure accurate alignment. This setup is essential for maintaining consistency across multiple products.

INK APPLICATION

Ink is applied through the screen onto the fabric using controlled techniques. This ensures strong color coverage and clean design transfer.

CURING THE INK

Printed garments are heat-treated to fix the ink permanently. This process ensures durability and resistance to wear and washing.