Taping

[Jimdi77]

We are new to the forum and new to screen printing. This may be answered elsewhere and I apologize ahead of time. We will learn how to find things soon. It appears in Jonathan's videos that he is not taping up the screens before he prints. It looks like he is just taping up the registration marks. This would save a lot of expensive tape but how is he getting away with that and not getting ink between the emulsion and the edge of the screen and onto the platin or t-shirt?

[ApeShirt]

Welcome! I don't know which videos you are referring to but I've seen some where he tapes the substrate side along the edges. I tape the ink side myself. It's a personal preference I guess. If you want a way to not have to tape the edges you can do what Rhino Tech shows in this video using RhinoBlock.
http://youtu.be/Zt9Ae_07yoY

[Jimdi77]

Thanks, no I don't want to block out permanently. He must have been taping the shirt side and it doesn't show on the video. I'm with you I would rather tape the ink side. It just didn't make sense how he wasn't taping at all.

[Catspit Productions]

Yes, it is a personal preference. I tape my screens with four pieces of masking tape or screen tape on the substrate side.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-sAdSDtY0s

I like this because it keeps the tape out of the way of the squeegee and I find it easier to clean up. It will stain the mesh some near the frame edges but most of that comes out when you reclaim with the pressure washer.

If you want to use block out you can use the reclaimable stuff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlX3Ww2jQXs

http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/rhi ... -blockout/

[Jimdi77]

Thanks for the clarification. I am having problems getting my tape all the way down into the corners anyway and it has a tendency to rip and leak anyway. I am using some piss poor reclaiming liquid right now so it really stains the screens and is hard to remove the emulsion. I will be glad when it runs out because it looks like the stuff you sell works a lot better.

[Catspit Productions]

My pleasure. That’s what happens to me too. That’s part of the reason I like taping the substrate side.

Some Catspit product should kick some butt otherwise I wouldn’t sell it And you never have to worry about your purchase on my ecommerce site. I guarantee satisfaction and if you have any problems I’ll take care of everything.

[Dip.Schlitz]

Tape is one of those things you need but don't necessarily get a return on your investment. Use of tape also comes with experience, the better you get at controlling the ink on the screen, the less tape you'll need, for the most part. On large runs (more than 100 or so), or wide prints, i'll tape all four inkwell rails, where the frame meets the mesh, just to keep ink out of there as I use the squeegee to scoop the ink back into the print area. Also as a precaution I have been silicone caulking the inkwell side of the frames to keep out ink and cleaning chemicals.

[Jimdi77]

Sounds good, I am using less now and controlling the ink better.