More information about screen printing aluminium screens

INDEX

> Advantages of aluminium screens

> How to choose the right screen

> Frequently asked questions

> Technical data

ADVANTAGES OF ALUMINIUM SCREENS

• High durability - longer life span than screens with iron or wooden frames
• Moisture resistance: they do not rust or degrade due to humidity.
• No deformation: neither due to the tension of the mesh nor due to expansion. This has a direct impact on the quality of the printing because they help to maintain the tension of the mesh unchanged.
• Excellent quality/price ratio: they do not need to be replaced frequently, so the higher the production volume, the more cost-effective they become.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT NETTING

• As a quick reference guide:
  
  • Textile screen printing (plastisols or lacquers with a high pigment load): 43 yarns
  • Graphic screen printing (water-based inks for paper): 90 wires
  • Industrial screen printing (solvent inks), four-colour textile, halftone: ≥ 90 wires

If you want to go a little deeper:

• The mesh is the screen fabric. The printing ink passes through it during printing. They are made of polyester or nylon yarns. Our screens are made of 100% polyester monofilament yarns.
• Screens are classified according to the openness of the weave, which is measured in number of threads per centimetre. In screen printing, we use meshes between 10 threads and 200 threads/cm.
• The more threads, the smaller the openings will be, leaving less space for the ink to pass through. Conversely, fewer threads mean larger openings.
• To print designs with a lot of detail or definition, it is advisable to use a mesh with more threads, which is more closed. On the other hand, a mesh with fewer threads is more open and recommended for printing less elaborate images such as lettering, text or geometric shapes. A design with details or small letters requires a mesh of more than 60 threads for a good result.
• The type of ink also influences the mesh count recommendation:
  • More liquid inks, such as water-based inks, acramine and lacquers, pass well through small holes, which allows for more thread counts. With these inks, mesh counts of up to 90 threads are used.
  • Plastisols are denser and require lower thread counts.
  • If you need more definition you can combine the use of solvent inks with a tighter mesh, as these can pass through the mesh more easily.

You can also learn more about this topic in this post of our blog.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the difference between white and yellow mesh?

• Yellow mesh does not refract light and allows for more definition in complex designs.

What size screen do I need?

• The choice of frame size, also known as shablon, will depend on the size of the image you want to print.
• To the size of the image you need to add 15 or 20 cm per side to get the size you need.
• Example: for an image of 30 x 40 cm, it is advisable to use a frame measuring at least 45 x 55 cm. In this case, the 50 x 60 cm frame would be suitable.

At what tension are the screens stretched?

• The screens are generally tensioned to 27 Newtons. The recommended tension value varies according to the size of the screen, the weft, the frame material and the surface on which the screen is to be printed.
• Just as important as the tension is its evenness over the entire surface and stability over time.

What happens if a screen arrives damaged in transit?

• The procedure is the same as for any package you receive from us: if the package is already visibly damaged before you open it, do not sign for it. And if you decide to do so for any reason, please state this in writing on the delivery note. If the damage was not visible until you opened the package, call us or send us an email immediately to inform us so that we can resolve the situation in the most convenient way for both of you. You have 10 working days to claim for transport damage.

Two screens have arrived stuck together, what should I do?

• Don't worry, it's easy to solve. Take them out of the package and separate them from the others. Don't try to separate them by pulling on the frames. Instead, gently tap them on the ground at a slight angle. This should separate them without damaging them. If you don't succeed, contact us

TECHNICAL DATA

DIMENSIONS OF THE SCREENS

SCREEN FRAMES