Screen Printing Forum

I am having trouble getting really precise registration. I am using multiple tsquares and measuring to the mm on every design but the print is always off a few mm's. Are there any tricks to this? I watched a video on youtube about using pinholes, but can someone explain this a little better? Like how to prepare the stencil(s)? Is the pinhole essentially the same as registration marks?

Any help is appreciated,

Matt

yeah... I would start with Registration marks on your film.
(although I dont use them)

Also you may have to trap your artwork so there is a bit of overlap.

What software are you using?

I am using illustrator and photoshop, color separating in photoshop and creating the vectors with illustrator. the only problem is that the two designs that I am working on the colors cant overlap, due to the nature of the design. but I am using shims to make sure off contact is exactly the same on all arms.

also how is it possible that one area of the design is perfectly in registration but another section isn't, is this because one of the colors is off an inch or so horizontally? Do the designs have to be precise both horizontally and vertically?

here's the design just so you can see what I am referring to

http://a934.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/im ... 81f9ed.jpg

anyone? I am afraid to burn anymore screens if there is a better technique

[quote="cromaclothingco"]another section isn't, is this because one of the colors is off an inch or so horizontally? Do the designs have to be precise both horizontally and vertically?

here's the design just so you can see what I am referring to

http://a934.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/im ... 81f9ed.jpg

[/quote]

I thought I replied to this but it didnt show up...

Does you film register before you burn the screens?
if the film all lines up and then you burn the screens they should all line up.

If they dont it could be anything from screen tension to an off contact issue.

The design you posted looks pretty good... but then again I dont know what its supposed to look like.

yeah they line up on transparency, and the design is only off by a mm or two towards the top, but the bottom half registers almost perfect. I am going to give it another try, lining them up perfectly on both the horizontal and vertical plane.

Films line up on a light table?
(Get or make one if you don't have one)

Vac table or other means of exposure.?

Films line up to screens after they have been burned?

Start with this and we'll go further if needed.

Warped frames can cause all sorts of trouble in larger designs.

This one is a prime candidate.

The length can magnify the error in the screens accuracy.

-Rob

thanks for the reply rob,

I have an open exposure unit

I will try everything you mentioned, but, I was planning on printing something much larger then 11 x 17.. is this going to be even harder to get accurate registration?