The firm’s ExoStencil Screen Prep Paper allows printers to quickly and easily make screens up to A3 size without the need for chemicals.

The process involves three steps. First, the required design is printed onto an ExoStencil imaging sheet in a laserprinter – Neenah recommends an OKI model. Then a dry adhesive sheet is placed over the image, and applied to it using a standard heat press.

The two sheets are peeled apart while still warm, leaving a polymer layer, and this is then positioned on the screen frame and transferred to the mesh, again using the heat press.

“This is a massive change for screen printers. It only takes 10 minutes and you can clean the screen off afterwards with a high pressure jet wash,” explained David Ives, business development manager at Neenah Paper Red Bridge in Bolton. David Ives. “We are getting excellent results and the response has been fantastic.”

Neenah said ExoStencil was suitable for screens with mesh counts from 85-230.

The firm said the process also provided a straightforward route for printers currently using heat transfer printing products to move into screen printing.

“It makes it an easy step into screen printing for new entrants,” explained marketing manager Anne-Marie Busch. “It’s also the perfect solution for small screen printers who currently spend way too much time making screens, while for larger businesses it’s ideal for samples and short runs, so it covers both sides of the market.”

Pricing was described as being the equivalent of producing a traditional screen, but without the complexity and chemicals.

ExoStencil is sold through Neenah's distribution network. Ives said that pricing would depend on volume, but was "circa €4-€6 per screen".