Screen printing is questionably the most flexible of all printing processes. It can be used to print on a wide assortment of substrates, including paper, paperboard, plastics, glass, metals, fabrics, nylon and cotton. Some general products from the screen printing business include posters, labels, decals, signage, all types of textiles and electronic circuit boards. The benefit of screen printing over other print processes is that the press can print on substrates of any form, thickness and size.

A significant attribute of screen printing is that a greater thickness of the ink can be applied to the substrate than is achievable with other printing techniques. This allows for some very attractive effects that are not feasible using other printing processes. Because of the simplicity of the application method, a wider array of inks and dyes are obtainable for use in screen printing than for use in any other printing process.

Operation of screen printing presses has begun to increase because production rates have enhanced. As a result the development of the automated and rotary screen printing press, improved dryers, and U.V. curable ink were made possible. The major chemicals used include screen emulsions, inks, and solvents, surfactants, caustics and oxidizers used in screen reclamation.