What Do I Need To Know To Make A Screen?

This section is all about screen making. This would include stretching, mesh prep, and coating the screens with emulsion. All related topics such as screen storage and trouble shooting for getting screens ready to expose.

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Catspit Productions
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What Do I Need To Know To Make A Screen?

Post by Catspit Productions »

Many people first starting out in screen printing textiles such as tee shirts will attempt to make their own screens for printing. This is completely acceptable only if you have a method of stretching the mesh tightly on the frame. There are generally 2 choices when it comes to frame materials and each one has its pros or cons. For most of us who are not carpenters or metal workers we may buy pre-stretched aluminum screens.

This article will help you with deciding which type of frame to use: http://catspitproductionsllc.com/framematerials.html

There are different methods to stretching the mesh onto the frame. This article may help with this phase of the process: http://catspitproductionsllc.com/framestretching.html

Mesh tension is also very important to the proper functioning of the screen printing frame. http://catspitproductionsllc.com/meshtension.html

This video may help out with frame materials and pre-stretched screens: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Med-3cgKzyU

Preparing your mesh to receive the emulsion is also part of this step. These videos will help out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XThWihlibY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03Qa0Cwng3M

These articles will help you understand emulsions:

http://catspitproductionsllc.com/emulsi ... gtips.html

http://catspitproductionsllc.com/stenci ... mance.html

http://catspitproductionsllc.com/liquidemulsions.html

How do you make your own screens? How do you stretch the mesh onto the frame with decent tension yourself? If you don’t have a tension meter how do you determine if the mesh is tight enough to provide a great print? Is there a particular brand of mesh or pre-stretched screen you prefer and would like to recommend? And what type of emulsion do you use? How do you prep your screens for emulsion coating?
Jonathan Monaco
Catspit Productions, LLC
Learn how to screen print tee shirts!

http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/CatspitProductions
nick4uuk
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Re: What Do I Need To Know To Make A Screen?

Post by nick4uuk »

Thanks for the videos...are you able to tell me if there are differences in results between using certain types of materials in the mesh, i.e nylon filter mesh vs fabric, metals etc..
Saati
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Re: What Do I Need To Know To Make A Screen?

Post by Saati »

nick4uuk wrote:Thanks for the videos...are you able to tell me if there are differences in results between using certain types of materials in the mesh, i.e nylon filter mesh vs fabric, metals etc..
Typically in screen printing we recomend polyester mesh. Its consistant perfomance vs price point prove to be the go to product in the screen printing market. Nylon can still be obtained but has lost its popularity in the everyday market. With that being said it still has its advantaged when printing 3d objects due to its ability to conform to the object. Stainless steel fabric give you the ability to hold extremely fine detail and specific ink deposit, but its unforgiving nature does not lend itself to the everyday printer. Second, the cost of stainless mesh is typically double that of polyester.

If you have a more specific question relating to your application we could dig much deeper into this toppic.
martinj
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Re: What Do I Need To Know To Make A Screen?

Post by martinj »

It's good to also know the stitching in your screen because it really helps to make thinner lines, sharper edges; it's almost like buying a computer or TV because of its pixels per inch. Like getting a 1080p is much better than a 720p. More pixels, better resolution. Does that make sense?
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Re: What Do I Need To Know To Make A Screen?

Post by Saati »

martinj wrote:It's good to also know the stitching in your screen because it really helps to make thinner lines, sharper edges; it's almost like buying a computer or TV because of its pixels per inch. Like getting a 1080p is much better than a 720p. More pixels, better resolution. Does that make sense?
To some extent, yes, your statement is correct. The finer the mesh count the posibility of holding finer detail is increased. but as in everthing there is a trade off. The finer the mesh count the less ink you can deposite. So there needs to be a balance between detail and ink deposite.
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Re: What Do I Need To Know To Make A Screen?

Post by Catspit Productions »

Once again I have to thank Saati for the awesome answers here. Here is an article about getting better detail with higher mesh counts:

http://www.catspitproductionsllc.com/hi ... ounts.html

And Saati makes a good point about higher mesh counts printing less ink. That can make it more difficult to get the coverage you desire.
Jonathan Monaco
Catspit Productions, LLC
Learn how to screen print tee shirts!

http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/CatspitProductions
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TheRedneckVlog
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Re: What Do I Need To Know To Make A Screen?

Post by TheRedneckVlog »

Wow. This site is awesome and has all the answers to the few remaining questions I've had, after watching the CatSpit vids on YouTube. Thankfully, this site exists, because it seems the more I learn, the more there is to know. Screen printing isn't nearly as simple as I had once thought it was :S
May the force be with you!
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Re: What Do I Need To Know To Make A Screen?

Post by ApeShirt »

TheRedneckVlog wrote:Wow. This site is awesome and has all the answers to the few remaining questions I've had, after watching the CatSpit vids on YouTube. Thankfully, this site exists, because it seems the more I learn, the more there is to know. Screen printing isn't nearly as simple as I had once thought it was :S
I think the vast majority believe screen printing is just a matter of slapping ink down and printing. Little do they know. Heck, I researched a lot before I even bought my equipment and have learned much since then. I continue to soak in as much as possible. Screen printing entails much more than just printing on shirts. Glad you're here and hope you stick around.
Greg
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ApeShirt Apparel Printing, LLC
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Re: What Do I Need To Know To Make A Screen?

Post by Catspit Productions »

Thank you very much TheRedneckVlog!

It's true. I always say it's not that it's difficult to print tee shirts rather it's very easy to misprint them. There is a learning curve to silk screen printing. I'm happy to help out anytime.

I appreciate the kind words and thanks for joining the forum. :D
Jonathan Monaco
Catspit Productions, LLC
Learn how to screen print tee shirts!

http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/CatspitProductions
jhonsmith
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Re: What Do I Need To Know To Make A Screen?

Post by jhonsmith »

Hello my dear Thanks for the videos...!!! :) ;) :)
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