Question: We are equipped with a CNC machine and powder coating capabilities for aircraft instrument panels. We often need to silk screen on them but have used decals or stick on plastic lettering instead. Do have have the materials to do silk screening on powder coated metals?

I am more than happy to help you with printing on metals. The process of printing onto a flat surface with graphic inks is the same as the t–shirts. You will just need a different emulsion and the appropriate ink. Now if the parts are pre-formed then you will need to create jigs to hold them so that the area being printed is flat in relationship to the screen. Then it’s the same.

Graphic inks are thinner and require a higher mesh count to print through. A 230 mesh is a great base line mesh to begin with. They also require more aggressive chemicals for clean- up such as lacquer thinner.

When printing onto powder coated metal you will want to use one of two ink types. Either enamel ink or Epoxy ink. These will adhere the best and last on the product.

Because they are air dry inks you will have to print all multi-color designs one color at a time.

Here is a great article to get the gist about it down. http://screenprinting.zendesk.com/entries/20215938-sign-printing-kit-instructions