| By learning the basics of screen mesh and fabric | | | | dyed mesh. I always recommend white mesh for |
| preparation, you can quickly improve the quality of | | | | counts ranging from 17 meshes/inch to 158 meshes |
| your prints and prevent common screen problems | | | | inch. Anything above 158 meshes/inch it is important |
| such as pinholes, poor detail, and poor ink coverage. | | | | to use dyed mesh. White mesh has a tendency to |
| We will begin by explaining mesh counts, weaves, | | | | refract light. This causes undercutting of your stencil |
| and thread diameter. Once we have a basic | | | | and you can lose important detail. Yellow mesh |
| understanding of the mesh itself, we can look at | | | | reduces refraction because it reduces the travel of |
| stretching and preparing the screen mesh for | | | | ultraviolet light. Dyed mesh will take a longer |
| emulsion. | | | | exposure time but it is a small price to pay when you |
| Polyester monofilament is the best choice for textile | | | | could be losing fine lines and half-tones. Using proper |
| screen printing. Stainless steel, nylon, and silk are also | | | | mesh tensioning procedures will allow for optimum |
| available but the polyester is the most common for | | | | print control and performance. It is important to |
| garment printing. Two different types of mesh | | | | understand that one definitive mesh tensioning level |
| weaves are available. Plain weave is a simple | | | | does not exist. Every mesh count, every thread |
| one-over/one-under pattern similar to a basket. This | | | | diameter, and every thread material may tension at |
| allows for a very sharp print when you are screen | | | | different levels. |
| printing detailed designs. Twill weave is a two-over | | | | The final step is preparing your screen properly and |
| two-under pattern. This does not provide the sharp | | | | consistently. This is just as important as selecting the |
| detail like the plain weave but it does allow for more | | | | best mesh count for the job. Mesh pretreatment is |
| ink to pass through the mesh at higher mesh counts. | | | | the process of cleaning and preparing the screen |
| Most applications are best when printed with plain | | | | mesh surface to improve stencil adhesion and |
| weave mesh. | | | | eliminate coating defects, with the ultimate goal being |
| Thread thickness is also very important. You may not | | | | optimum stencil performance and durability. It is |
| realize it but many mesh counts that you order are | | | | important to use an abrader/degreaser when you |
| available in different thread sizes. For example, 305 | | | | have stretched new mesh material or received new |
| mesh count is available in a thread thickness of 31, | | | | pre-stretched screens. |
| 34, and 40 microns. The 305 mesh count screen with | | | | This will allow your liquid emulsion or capillary film to |
| 31 micron thread diameter is able to tension 21 to 24 | | | | adhere to the screen better which prevents pinholes, |
| N/cm. This is much less tension than the 40 micron | | | | fisheyes, uneven stencil thickness, air pockets, and |
| thread (27 to 32 N/cm). You may want the tighter | | | | stencil breakdown. Using household products such as |
| screens for high-end printing but you also must | | | | Comet or caustic degreasers is not recommended. |
| consider the change of ink deposit between the | | | | The proper chemicals don't just clean the mesh |
| different screens. Even though they are all 305 count | | | | surface, they prepare the mesh for the stencil. If |
| screens, they all have different theoretical ink | | | | your screen mesh is not virgin, you only need to use |
| deposits and different fabric thickness. | | | | a degreaser to treat the surface. Older screen mesh |
| Mesh color is also something to consider. Customers | | | | may require a haze remover when it becomes |
| often ask what the difference is between white and | | | | stained. |