Screen Printing: Setting The Right Mesh Size

If you have read anything about screen printing you've possibly noticed that folks refer to their screens with a mesh size. A mesh size refers towards the number of threads per inch the fabric that makes up the screen has.

A screen printing screen is basically small nylon fabric cords interlaced horizontally and vertically on a wood or metal frame.

The lower the mesh size, the larger the holes in the fabric will be. These holes are what your ink will pass via to obtain onto your shirt. You can see that these gaps will likely be much like pixels in a digital picture. Making use of higher and lower mesh counts have distinct utilized. They also have their very own advantages and disadvantages.

Purposes of Greater Mesh Counts

A greater mesh count will supply a greater degree of detail. The smaller holes and threads which are closer together will be able to hold a lot more emulsion and much better manage the quantity of ink that passes through. You will be able to develop images will smaller "islands". The high level detail makes it appropriate for smooth surfaces for example glass, ceramic, metal, concrete and wood.

An additional advantage of making use of greater mesh sizes are which is will take less paint for you to screen your image on the surface. You will be able to use as much as 30% much less ink. Also, printers use this method to reduce the presence of ink on the shirt.

You might notice that on screen printed t-shirts the locations which have been inked are stiff or crisp. Utilizing much less ink will make the image really feel as even though there's absolutely nothing there, the fabric will probably be uniform.

Disadvantage of Greater Mesh Counts

The primary disadvantage of utilizing denser screens are that not all inks are compatible. Making use of some paints will clog the screen and you will not have the ability to reclaim it. When choosing ink to use to get a project, be sure to read the label for information referring to its compatibility with certain mesh sizes.

Photo emulsion sheets are screen printing pages that are mesh screens pre-coated with light sensitive gel. They come in to size. The 110 mesh will be the low thread count and is suitable for fabric or other porous material. The 200 thread count is best for glass along with other smooth surfaces.