Behind the Bottle: How We Create Screens for Screen Printing In-House

At Kaufman Container, we do more than supply packaging - we bring your brand to life with in-house decorating services, including expert screen printing. One of the most critical steps in that process? Creating the custom screen that makes it all possible.

Because we handle every step—from artwork approval to final print—under one roof, we ensure faster lead times, tighter quality control, and greater flexibility for our customers.

Here’s a look behind the scenes at how we create screens for screen printing and why it matters.

Step 1: Artwork Approval by Our In-House Art Department

Every screen starts with your artwork. Our in-house Art Department works closely with your team to review, adjust, and prepare the artwork files. We ensure the design is suitable for screen printing, considering line weight, spacing, and container curvature. Whether you provide final art or need help refining your vision, our team is here to assist.

Step 2: Printing the Film

After artwork approval, we print your design onto a transparent film. This film will be used to expose your design onto the mesh screen. Accuracy is key here—this step sets the foundation for precise prints later on.

Step 3: Preparing the Screen

We cut and stretch mesh onto a metal frame, creating the screen. Then we move into the screen room where the real transformation begins.

Step 4: Washing and Coating

The screen is thoroughly cleaned and dried to remove any residue or oils. Then, it’s coated with a light-sensitive emulsion, which will react when exposed to UV light.

Step 5: Vacuum Seal and Exposure

Once the emulsion is dry, we place the film with your design onto the screen and vacuum seal it to remove any air pockets. It’s then exposed to UV light, hardening the emulsion everywhere except where your design blocks the light.

Step 6: Washing and Drying Again

The screen is washed again, revealing the design where the emulsion was left soft. What’s left behind is a perfect stencil of your artwork—ready to be used for printing.

Step 7: Screen Printing Your Bottle

Now the real fun begins—our team mounts the finished screen onto one of our high-precision screen printing machines. Each bottle passes through the machine, where ink is pushed through the stencil and transferred directly onto the container surface.

We can print in multiple colors, and our machines ensure alignment, consistency, and durability. From health & beauty bottles to spirit containers and more, our screen printing delivers a premium, long-lasting finish.

Meet Sean Wyant: Our Screen Room Technician

Behind every great print is a skilled technician. At Kaufman Container, Sean Wyant leads our screen room operations with over 15 years of screen printing experience. He has worked in various print shops throughout Northeast Ohio, bringing a wealth of knowledge and hands-on expertise to every screen he prepares.

From stretching mesh to fine-tuning exposure times, Sean ensures that each screen meets our exacting standards. His deep understanding of printing techniques and attention to detail directly impacts the quality of our finished bottles—making him an essential part of our decorating process.

Why It Matters

Because we create screens in-house, we’re able to streamline the entire screen printing process. That means fewer delays, quicker revisions, and better consistency from concept to shelf. Whether you're launching a new product or updating your branding, our team is here to make sure every detail is executed with care.