Wavy Squeegee Blade

[Macwraps1]

My first shot at screen printing here at home with my homemade simple wooden press. I have had great success with each stage of the process. I bought a six foot roll of squeegee blade, and it arrived as a rounded rectangular roll. As a result there was a bend in the beginning of the roll. I made a 12” wood handle and machine bolted the blade into the snug groove. It has been a few days and I has not relaxed to be straight. It is a real problem trying to flood my water based ink to cover the open stencil.
Has anyone had this problem? I have the rest of the roll laying out flat. 70 durometer. Should I cut a new piece, or will it straighten out?
Thanks.

[Catspit Productions]

Yes, it's the nature of the beast. I roll mine in the opposite direction to help straighten them out. Then I let them lay flay for some time often with the 6 foot wood handle on top for a little pressure. But you may always have an end piece that you cannot use due to curvature.

It's annoying but storing and shipping them flat would cost more space and money of course.