Computer-to-Screen (CTS): Why More Screen Printing Shops Are Moving Beyond Film

For years, screen printing shops have relied on the same basic process to prepare screens. Print a film positive, align it with an emulsion-coated screen, expose it, wash it out, let it dry, and finally move it to the press.

Even though this process works, it does require time, materials, equipment, and operator attention.

As labor costs rise and production schedules become tighter, many screen printers are asking a simple question:

Is there a faster, easier way to make screens?

For a growing number of shops, the answer is computer-to-screen (CTS) technology.

What Is Computer-to-Screen?

Computer-to-screen, often called CTS, is exactly what the name suggests. Instead of printing artwork onto a film positive first, the digital file is sent directly from the computer to a screen-making system.

The goal is simple: eliminate unnecessary steps, improve consistency, and help shops prepare screens more efficiently.

There are several types of CTS systems on the market today, but they all share one objective: simplifying the screen-making process.

One example is the GOCCOPRO Digital Screen Maker from RISO Screen & Digital Products. Rather than relying on traditional film positives and wet chemical processing, GOCCOPRO uses RISO's dry thermal screen-making technology to create a printable stencil directly from digital artwork.

The Traditional Screen-Making Process

Most screen printers are familiar with the traditional workflow.

First, artwork is printed onto a film positive. The screen is coated with emulsion, dried, aligned with the film, exposed under UV light, washed out, dried again, and finally inspected before it can be installed on the press.

Each step requires equipment, consumables, workspace, and labor. Combined, these tasks can create a bottleneck that slows production and increases operating costs.

How GOCCOPRO Changes the Workflow

GOCCOPRO takes a very different approach.

Instead of creating a film positive and exposing an emulsion-coated screen, GOCCOPRO creates the stencil digitally using RISO's proprietary dry thermal process.

Because there is no film to print and no emulsion to coat, expose, develop, or wash out, the workflow becomes much simpler.

For many screen printing operations, this means:

• Fewer production steps

• Less operator handling

• Reduced consumable costs

• No film storage

• No washout booth for screen creation

• Faster turnaround from artwork to press-ready screen

The result is a cleaner, more streamlined screen room that allows operators to spend less time preparing screens and more time printing.

Is CTS Right for Every Shop?

Every screen printing business has different production requirements.

A small shop producing only a few screens each week may not see the same return as a contract decorator producing hundreds of screens every month.

Computer-to-screen technology is often most valuable for businesses that:

• Produce custom apparel

• Print promotional products

• Manufacture sports uniforms

• Decorate corporate apparel

• Handle contract screen printing

• Run multiple production shifts

• Need consistent repeat jobs

For these businesses, reducing screen-room labor and eliminating unnecessary production steps can have a measurable impact on productivity.

Why More Shops Are Exploring Digital Screen Making

Screen printing has evolved dramatically over the past decade. Presses have become faster, software has become smarter, and production has become increasingly automated.

The screen room should evolve as well.

Digital screen makers like GOCCOPRO help modernize one of the most labor-intensive stages of production by replacing traditional film-based workflows with a streamlined digital process.

That doesn't just improve efficiency. It gives screen printers greater consistency, fewer manual tasks, and a workflow designed for today's production environment.

Learn More About GOCCOPRO

If you're exploring computer-to-screen technology or wondering whether a digital screen maker is right for your business, GOCCOPRO is worth a closer look.

Visit our GOCCOPRO Digital Screen Maker page to explore technical specifications and learn how digital screen making can help simplify your screen printing operation.