The importance of mesh size for screen printing

If you’ve read anything about screen printing, you’ve probably noticed that people refer to their screens by a mesh size. A mesh size refers to the number of threads per inch that the fabric that makes up the screen has. A screen printing screen is essentially small cords of nylon fabric intertwined horizontally and vertically on a wooden or metal frame. The smaller the mesh size, the larger the holes in the fabric. These holes are what the ink will go through to get to the shirt. You can see that these spaces will be very much like the pixels in a digital image. Using higher and lower mesh counts has different uses. They also have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Higher Mesh Count Purposes

A higher number of meshes will provide a higher level of detail. Smaller holes and threads that are closer together will be able to hold more emulsion and better control the amount of ink that passes through. You will be able to create images on smaller “islands” (places where the emulsion stands alone, not connected to another negative image piece of the artwork). The high level of detail makes it suitable for smooth surfaces such as glass, ceramics, metal. , concrete and wood.

Another advantage of using higher mesh sizes is that you will need less paint to project your image onto the surface. You can use up to 30% less ink. Also, printers use this method to reduce the presence of ink on the shirt. You may notice that on screen printed t-shirts, the places that have been inked are stiff or crisp. Using less ink will make the image feel like nothing is there, the fabric will be even.

Disadvantage of higher mesh counts

The main disadvantage of using denser screens is that not all inks are compatible. Using some paints will clog the screen and you will not be able to get it back. When choosing ink to use for a project, be sure to read the label for information on its compatibility with particular mesh sizes.

Photo emulsion sheets are screen printing pages that are mesh screens pre-coated with light-sensitive gel. They come in size. 110 mesh is low thread count and is suitable for cloth or other porous materials. The 200 thread count is best for glass and other smooth surfaces.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back To Top