Concrete

[ericheartsu]

has anyone ever screen printed on concrete before? We have the opportunity to screen print our logo on the floor of a warehouse we just built before we seal it, but I wasn't sure what mesh and ink we should use?

[Maxie]

I would use floor paint and a course mesh.
Just throw it away after use.

[ZooCity]

I wonder if you could print a stain successfully, maybe if you thicken it?  That'd be a tight look.

[ericheartsu]

Like i'm just wondering if we could use acrylic ink on the floor, or if that would be to thin.

[brandon]

Use concrete paint base and you can tint it with water base pigments. Concrete soaks it into it

[ffokazak]

We print a ton on wood and use a two part epoxy. I do not think there would be an issue with adhesion to concrete.

My 2 c is use a really high mesh,  on smooth surfaces anything below 230 would have jagged edges.

We use up to 380 on wood and it is super smooth, and nice edges.

[LuckyFlyinROUSH]

Cut Vinyl. Poly over it.

[mk162]

i second the vinyl.  Or you can use the vinyl as a stencil and spray paint it.

[domineight]

A thin vinyl.

Or if you wanted to do something tricky I imagine a digital/inkjet print on tissue would be pretty effective.  Seal a piece of floor first, carefully lay it out, squeegee it flat and seal over top.

If you had quite light concrete I'd be tempted to give it a go. Be a bit selective with your colour choices so you get good contrast.

[Prince Art]

Or if you wanted to do something tricky I imagine a digital/inkjet print on tissue would be pretty effective.  Seal a piece of floor first, carefully lay it out, squeegee it flat and seal over top.

If you had quite light concrete I'd be tempted to give it a go. Be a bit selective with your color choices so you get good contrast.

This makes me think of the way surfboard graphics are applied. Or even water slide decals. Might be a good idea! I don't think I'd have the guts to slap a screen down on the floor, and hope against a misprint on an unfamiliar substrate - especially with ink that's supposed to be permanent. I'd be looking for something foolproof.



Edit: I said the above, then saw Domineight's last post here: http://www.theshirtboard.com/index.php/topic,73.2895.html  Looks like he's got know-how, and guts, that I don't. 

[domineight]

Could always just use 3M floor graphic media and the overlay.
Pretty safe, and it'd probably last longer than the sealer.

Imagine screwing it up and having to redo a section of the floor. Like coming in the next day to see your nice clean print frying up under the sealer.