Chủ Nhật, 22 tháng 7, 2012

The Facts About Screen Printing And Screen Printing Mesh

By Jim Sullivan


Printing ink to a surface can be done through several methods such as impact printing or using screen printing mesh. The last option is used in many cases where the printing has to be done on delicate surfaces such as fine fabrics or paper. With the range of options and versatility this method is a popular technique across many industries.

While the modern version of this method was developed in the 20th century the roots of this technology go back several centuries. The original art was created in Japan and China and was introduced over to the western world in the 18th century. The essential technology is now used in areas such as medical equipment, clothing and circuit board design.

The range of inks that can be used for the printing process range from the average to the exotic depending on needs. Water proof, metallic ink and other are some of the special purpose inks available for use in projects. The range of options even go to creating 3D effects or textured works with added beads and ingredients to the basic ink.

The mesh used for your works comes in plain weave which is best for details work and twill weave which is best for projects requiring maximum ink saturation. The strings themselves can be various thicknesses and made of steel, silk, nylon and the most popular material polyester thread. Regardless of the final project there is the right size and make of thread for future projects.

Each screen in addition has a mesh count which is a number of threads per square inch of material. The average mesh count is between 110 to 156 with lower counts for thicker inks and higher thread amount for detail or fine design work. Know this statistic and aim for your first screen to be in the average thread count range.

In addition once you have learned the basics you should prepare to get additional materials and screens for your work. You should have at least two screens with one being 110 count and the other 156 for starters. Then depending on your designs getting some that have a lower or higher count would be a good idea.

Then when using new screens or reusing older screens make sure to prepare and clean these items to keep them around for awhile. A compound known as a degreaser is used on new screens to increase the efficiency of using ink on the new material. For older screens haze remover will remove residue and buildup for future use.

Regardless of the media you choose to use screen printing mesh to produce your final work is a good idea. It is low cost and easy to master the basics of this technique with the tools and supplies available. A little bit of time and money can make you the printer that you would want to be withe little effort.




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