Metal Mesh vs Fabric Mesh

[Van Rollington]

I am starting a screen printing business with my friends and currently we are debating over whether a metal mesh (nickle, aluminum, ect.) is better for its reusable ability, stencil quality, and emulsion reception over a traditional polyester silk screen. What are some of the pros and cons of metal mesh?

[Catspit Productions]

You do not need stainless steel mesh for textile screen printing. Completely unnecessary. A good mono filament polyester thread mesh of good quality will work perfectly and pay for itself 1000 fold or 10,000 fold. Mesh is a commodity right now and the prices are very low. A good pre-stretched screen will pay for itself very quickly.

http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/alu ... d-screens/

Stainless steel mesh is used for industrial printing with very technical specifications. It is also very expensive. So are other metal type meshes compared to polyester.

[Saati]

I could not have said it better myself... They perception is that stainless steel screens will last longer than polyester. In some cases you might be right but the cost is 4-5x the cost of polyester and with stainless it deforms real easy and looses tension even faster when it is abused.

Follow Johnathan's advise.. invest in some good pre-stretched polyester screens and never look back.