Selection and Application of Screen Mesh Count in Screen Printing

Screen printing has a long history and a wide range of applications, from textiles to billboards to electronic products. Let's talk about the critical factor of Mesh, which is crucial and related to the quality and effect of printed products. This article will take you to a deeper understanding of mesh specifications and applications in screen printing so that you will be more confident when choosing mesh specifications and no longer have difficulties.

    What Mesh is used for screen printing?   

In screen printing, screen printing screens mesh refers to how many holes are per square inch on the Mesh. We often use "mesh" to express it, such as 110 mesh and 160 mesh. Which mesh to choose depends on what you want to print and what material you want to print on.

Low Mesh (30-90 mesh) has large mesh holes and is suitable for printing rough materials or designs that require a lot of ink, such as thick fabrics and plastic bags. Ink can pass through more efficiently, which is suitable for printing large areas of color or thicker printing layers.

Medium Mesh (110-160 mesh) is the most commonly used for printing, such as T-shirts, paper papers, posters, etc. This Mesh is well-balanced, the ink can pass through, and the pattern can be printed clearly; the effect is excellent.

High Mesh (200 mesh or more) is suitable for printing delicate patterns and high-definition images, such as electronic parts, fine lines, small fonts, etc. This Mesh can control the ink passing through, making the pattern more delicate and the printing more accurate.

    Best Screen Printing Screens Mesh Count Selection Guide 

Through the above introduction, you learn some about screen printing screens Mesh. Now, let's learn how to choose the right screen printing screen mesh. Selecting the suitable Mesh is a crucial step in the screen printing process. Different screen printing screen specifications affect the amount of ink passing through, the degree of detail of the printing, and the final printing effect. Here are some key factors and guidelines to consider when choosing the best screen printing screens:

    Type of printing material 

Different printing materials have different requirements for screen printing screens Mesh. Here are some common materials and their recommended screen printing mesh ranges:

· Fabric (such as T-shirts, canvas bags, etc.): Usually use 110-160 mesh; this range of Mesh can provide good ink coverage and proper detail reproduction.

· PaperPaper (such as posters, greeting cards, etc.): For designs with high detail requirements, mesh above 160 mesh can be used to ensure the clarity of the pattern.

· Plastics and metals (such as signs, electronic components, etc.): Use high Mesh above 200 mesh to achieve delicate patterns and high-resolution printing effects.

    Pattern complexity

The complexity and detail of the pattern will also affect the choice of Mesh:

·Simple, large-area patterns: A low mesh (30-90 mesh) can be selected for large-area patterns without much detail to ensure sufficient ink flow and uniform coverage.

·Medium-complexity patterns: A medium mesh of 110-160 mesh can be selected to balance detail and ink coverage.

·Fine, high-resolution patterns: Patterns that require fine printing should choose a high mesh of 200 mesh or more to ensure that every detail can be presented.

    Ink type and viscosity 

The type and viscosity of the ink will also affect the choice of Mesh:

·High-viscosity inks: For high-viscosity inks, such as some special effect inks, low Mesh (30-90 mesh) is more suitable because it allows more ink to pass through.

·Low-viscosity inks: Medium-high Mesh (110 mesh or more) can obtain better details and less ink flow for low-viscosity inks, such as water-based and solvent-based inks.

    End-use of the print 

The end-use of the print will also affect the choice of mesh size:

·Outdoor advertising and signage: These applications generally require durability and good visibility, so medium and low mesh sizes (90-160 mesh) can be used.

·Fine art and high-end printing: These applications require high resolution and fine details, so high mesh sizes (200 mesh and above) should be selected.

    What is the difference between Screen and Mesh? 

In screen printing, the terms "screen" and "mesh" are often used, and understanding the difference between them is essential for correctly selecting and using printing tools.

   Screen 

Screen refers to combining the overall frame and Mesh used for printing. It includes the following main parts:

·Mesh fabric: This part that does the printing is made of fine fibers interwoven and can be made of materials such as polyester, nylon, or stainless steel.

·Frame: The structure used to fix the Mesh can be made of wood, aluminum, or steel. The frame's quality and sturdiness directly affect the printing's stability and effect.

·Coating: The Mesh is usually coated with a layer of photosensitive emulsion for the transfer and fixation of the pattern.

   Mesh 

Mesh count describes the Mesh, precisely the number of holes per square inch. The mesh count directly affects the details of the print and the amount of ink that can pass through. The following are the main characteristics of screen mesh:

·Low screen mesh (30-90 mesh): Larger aperture, suitable for printing rough materials or designs that require a lot of ink, usually used for large areas of color blocks and thick printing layers.

·Medium screen mesh (110-160 mesh): Balances the amount of ink passing through and pattern details, suitable for most general printing needs, such as T-shirts, posters, etc.

·High screen mesh (200 mesh and above): Smaller aperture, limiting the amount of ink passing through, suitable for printing delicate patterns and high-resolution images, such as electronic components and delicate line designs.

   Relationship between Screen and Screen Mesh

Screen and Screen are closely related concepts, but they refer to different things:

· Screen refers to a specific tool used for printing, which includes Mesh and frame, and is the hardware foundation for printing.

· Mesh is a specification description of the Mesh, which affects the effect and application of printing.

Choosing the right Screen and Mesh is the key to successful screen printing. In actual operation, the ideal printing effect can be achieved by comprehensively considering the Screen and mesh count selection according to factors such as printing materials, pattern complexity, ink type, etc.

    What are the disadvantages of using the wrong number of meshes? 

Using the wrong number of meshes (screen mesh) in screen printing will bring a series of significant disadvantages, affecting the printing quality and the efficiency and cost of the printing process. The following is a specific analysis of the situation you described:

    Ink transfer problem: 

- When the screen printing screen mesh number is too acceptable (such as 160-305 mesh), and the ink is thick, it is difficult to pass through the fine mesh holes, resulting in incomplete patterns or uneven colors. This may cause the quality of the printed product to decline and fail to meet customer requirements.

- On the contrary, if the screen printing mesh number is not fine enough (such as 25-110 mesh) and the ink is highly fluid, too much ink will pass through the mesh holes, resulting in blurred patterns, too dark colors, and even possible ink overflow problems.

    Loss of details: 

- When designing with high details, if the screen printing screen mesh opening is too large, the ink will easily seep out, resulting in blurred edges of the pattern and loss of more information. This is particularly evident in high-precision prints, such as brand logos, product packaging, etc.

    Mesh clogging: 

- When using enhancing pigments (such as glitter), if the screen printing screen mesh number is too fine, the Mesh is easily clogged. This affects the transmission of ink and may cause uneven spots or particles on the surface of the printed matter, affecting the aesthetics.

- Mesh clogging may also affect the continuity of the printing process, requiring frequent cleaning of the Screen and reducing production efficiency.

    Ink adhesion problems: 

- If the screen printing mesh number is not selected correctly, the ink may not be able to adhere fully to the surface of the printed material. This may cause blurred patterns, dull colors, and even ink-shedding problems.

    Increased costs: 

- Using the wrong mesh number may reduce print quality, requiring rework or reprinting, thereby increasing production costs.

- Frequent cleaning of the Screen will also increase labor and material costs.

To avoid these problems, when selecting the screen printing screens mesh number, it is necessary to comprehensively consider factors such as ink type, printing material, and pattern details. At the same time, in actual operation, attention must be paid to details such as ink mixing and printing pressure adjustment to ensure the quality and efficiency of printed products.

In screen printing, the choice of screen printing screen mesh size has an essential impact on the printing effect. Knowing what Mesh is used for screen printing, how to choose the best mesh size, the difference between Screen and Mesh, and the disadvantages of using the wrong screen printing mesh number can help printers choose according to specific needs.

The flexibility and broad application of screen printing are due to its ability to adapt to different printing materials and pattern complexity. Whether printing simple large-area patterns or fine high-resolution images, choosing the right mesh size can ensure the quality and effect of the printed product. Low mesh size is suitable for rough materials and large areas of color blocks, medium mesh size is ideal for most general printing needs, and high mesh size is appropriate for delicate patterns and high-resolution printing.

By mastering the knowledge of mesh size in screen printing, printers can flexibly apply this knowledge in actual operations, optimize the printing process, improve work efficiency, and ultimately achieve ideal printing results. Whether for beginners or experienced professionals, in-depth understanding and correct application of mesh size are the keys to attaining high-quality screen printing.

I believe that the content of this article will be helpful for you in selecting and using screen printing mesh, and provide valuable reference for your printing work.