How to choose the right screen printing mesh

How to choose the right screen printing mesh

Woven screen printing mesh comes in a variety of types to meet specific application and production needs. Fabric printing processes require a rough screen printing mesh so that more ink can flow through the screen printing mesh. Fine printing processes require a denser screen printing mesh to accurately reflect the image on the stencil. Electronic and special printing processes require metal or polyester/metal hybrid screens, where the screen printing mesh facilitates the flow of ink under current heating. All screen printing mesh must be stretchable, able to withstand the action of rubber rollers, and resistant to water and recycled chemicals. In today's screen printing world, monofilament polyester screens have largely outlawed silk screens.

Screen mesh is the term used to describe the number of mesh holes per inch of wire. Screen mesh values are in the range of 40 to 400 (the centimeter unit is used in many European measurement methods). The mesh number, thread thickness, and screen printing mesh opening measurements are usually marked on the side of the screen printing mesh.

　　

 Screen printing mesh specifications: Screen printing mesh manufacturers usually indicate the mesh number, thread thickness, and other specifications at the edge of the screen printing mesh.

 The screen printing mesh should be stretched to its preset screen printing mesh opening size, which can vary by up to 10% (this variation is mainly due to differences in production processes and individual stretching parameters). In order to achieve an accurate standard, the mesh is carefully measured after the final stretching of the screen printing mesh.

Determining the mesh count: After the screen printing mesh has been stretched to the specified standard, its mesh count should be measured. This way, if you need to repeat the process in the future, you can get a high print match and get the same print results.

Printers need to use different screen printing meshes for different print jobs. Fabric printers can use screen printing mesh with a mesh size of 80 or 110 to print white or light coatings on black fabrics. As the mesh count increases, the ink flow and deposition thickness decrease. When painting on non-porous materials, it is not necessary to use too much ink to cover the printed surface, so screen printing mesh with a screen mesh of over 300 is required to achieve fine printing standards.

UV inks require thin ink deposits for conservation and do not dry on the stencil, so screen printing mesh with a mesh size greater than 305 should be used. Pottery printing requires that the rough particles of the glass material compensate for the ink through the mesh, so a screen printing mesh with a mesh size between 110 and 255 is required.