help with printing

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bdeatrich
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help with printing

Post by bdeatrich »

I am having problems as a beginner screen printer. All of my test prints have been very lightly printed and do not have good coverage. Is there a certain inking technique that works best or do you think it is a problem with my screen?
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itesdi
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Re: help with printing

Post by itesdi »

May be you're using a very close mesh in your screen

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30 - 40 Hilos/pulg (12 - 16 Hilos/cm) Glitters.

60 - 95 Hilos/pulg (24 - 38 Hilos/cm) Estampado atlético, Tintas Metálicas, Depósitos Opacos, Tinta Espesa 3DSQ, Hi Gloss, Fosforescente, Tinta reluciente (shimmers).

86 - 110 Hilos/pulg (34 - 43 Hilos/cm) Fuerte cobertura en fondos oscuros, Base Blanca Sólida, PUFF, Metálica, Transfers, Suede, Reflectiva

El Profe

125 - 150 Hilos/pulg (49 - 59 Hilos/cm) Estampados en fondos claros, Base Blanca Detallada, Nylon oscuro, Tinta Reluciente Plateada.

180 - 230 Hilos/pulg (71 – 90 Hilos/cm) Estampado multi-color en fondos claros, Nylon claro.

230 - 305 Hilos/pulg (90 - 120 Hilos/cm) Estampado multi-color detallado en fondos claros y fondos oscuros con Base Blanca.

305 -355 Hilos/pulg (120 - 140 Hilos/cm) Cuatricromía.
broham23
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Re: help with printing

Post by broham23 »

The ink isn't getting pushed through the mesh and into the fabric or shirt or whatever. But that's obvious isn't it..

So the problem is either you aren't using enough pressure or force with your hands on the squeegee, or the mesh on your screen is too fine for the kind of ink you're using. Here are the possible solutions:

I'd guess you're printing in the traditional manner, where you start with the squeegee at the position farthest from you and pull the ink toward you across the image. Try making a few more passes across the image with the squeegee to try and force more ink through. Also, try playing with the angle of the squeegee in your hands, going from a 45 degree angle to an angle nearly perpendicular to the screen, using more pressure.

You could also try gathering ink in the screen closest to you, and then push it out away from you across the image. This way you'll be able to use far more pressure as you'll have you upper body weight exerting pressure through the squeegee almost as an extension of your forearms.

Or you could thin out your ink with some hand clear, which is an ink extender and thinner. But this is only if your ink is super thick and disagreeable.

Finally, you could try to use a different, lower mesh. If you're using 230 mesh and it's not working, try a 156, etc.
screenstretch
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Re: help with printing

Post by screenstretch »

Yes I would agree. I would defiantly thin your ink out as it should not be that hard to push through your mesh and it would be a cheaper option.
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Re: help with printing

Post by screenstretch »

There are lots of kits out there and you don't want to be spending lots of money if you are just starting out. Here is a starter kit with what you get in it - A1 Screen Printing Kit
1 x 45in x 36in (1143 mm X 914 mm) frame with mesh of your choice
1 x 28 inch wood squeegee & blade (711 mm)
1 x 31 inch coating trough (787 mm)
1 x 1 Ltr Pregan NT9 (degreaser)
1 x 900gm AZOCOL Z1 (diazo emulsion)
1 x 1 Ltr PREGASOL K-FL (stencil remover mixes up to 20 ltr)
1 x 1 Kg PREGAN PASTE (haze remover)
1 x Cleaning Brush
Aluminium Frame Screen Printing Starter Kit £162.40
Additional Frames £48.07 each

Not a lot of money - message me if you want to know were you can get it from as i cant advertise on forum. Hope this helps
allisonmishen
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Re: help with printing

Post by allisonmishen »

Your printed collateral is often your customers’ first impression of your business, so make an impact as it speaks volumes about your business and your brand.
Badenewby
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Re: help with printing

Post by Badenewby »

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