Screen Printing Techniques and Tips: Screen Printing Frames

The screen printing frames, often called just 'screens', are necessary to screen printing for more than just making the name make sense - they hold the image stencil that the ink is applied through!

By using screens with larger spaces between the wires, the screen printer can print heavier coatings of ink onto the garment. This comes at the expense of detail, however. That's why there are higher mesh counts available - for detail work. Here is the typical application of popular screen mesh counts:

60 to 90 mesh: Used to print heavy coats of ink for special effects like glitter.
110 mesh: Most commonly used mesh. Prints line art and type; also underbase whites.
230 to 305 mesh: Used for detailed line art or process color on manual presses. High quality images.
355 and up: Used primarily on auto presses, because it takes a lot of force to push ink through this mesh. It is hard to get a good 'lay' of ink (a thick coat), but the detail approaches the limits of what fabric can show!

The lower the number, the bigger the spaces between the wires. Actually, they are seldom made of metal wire. Filament is a better term, as most screen printers start out with nylon monofilament screens.

Teeshirtprinters.com offers both wood and aluminum framed screens. Wood frames are less expensive, but heavier and less durable. Aluminum frames cost a bit more, but make up for it in ease of use (lighter weight) and longer life without losing tension. Aluminum frames are also reusable - you can have the old mesh removed, and a new one glued in. Be aware that some companies sell frames only, with no fabric in them - check the description closely so you are not disappointed! We only sell complete screens, frames with mesh glued in.

A third type of screen printing frame are Retensionable Frames. These are not offered by teeshirtprinters.com. They are primarily used on auto machines, where the screen fabric may stretch out on long runs. The frames are designed to allow the mesh to be tightened up as needed. This is a very delicate process however, and not for beginners.

Screen tension is an important factor in acheiving good results. A minimum tension is 20 newtons, or newton-meters. Our screens are tensioned to 25Nm for wood, and 30Nm for aluminum. High tension means the screen snaps back from the garment quickly after the squeegie pushes it down, preventing blurring. It also allows more squeegie pressure to be applied without the screen image distorting.

When using a screen for the first time, or if the screen has seen a lot of use and stencils are not adhering properly, it is necessary to use a degreaser to make the screen more receptive. Apply according to the directions on the container, and scrub well with a stiff nylon brush. Rinse and dry the screen, and you're ready to coat it or adhere your cap film.

Keeping good screens on hand is a key to success in your screen printing business!