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SCREEN PRINTING (download PDF 1.0MB)
Introduction Preparing the Stencil & Emulsion Printing
Screen Print Materials Exposing the Stencil Stencil Removal / Screen Reclaiming
G&S Pigment System Paints Exposing Units / Methods Trouble Shooting
Creating Artwork Preparing for Printing Iron On Transfers
Mesh / Screen Preparation Printers Equipment Prices

MESH PREPARATION

No matter what stencil system you choose, it is essential that the mesh material be prepared thoroughly to maximize stencil adhesion.

With a brand new screen, there are two steps that must be followed:

  1. ROUGHENING with Autoprep
  2. DEGREASING with Universal Mesh Prep

ROUGHENING THE MESH:

Meshes made of synthetic fibres are very smooth when first produced. Polyester is chemically inert, so most of the stencil's adhesion is physical. To increase this physical adhesion, the mesh must be roughened to increase the surface area available for adhesion. For used mesh, it is a good idea to use this procedure every fifth use. Procedure: Use Autoprep, a grey paste containing an abrasive perfect for roughening the polyester mesh.

  1. Simply wet the mesh thoroughly and apply Autoprep to the screen.
  2. With a brush, scrub in circular motions, until the entire mesh is coated.
  3. Allow to sit one to two minutes, and rinse both sides thoroughly with water. A word of warning: NEVER use scouring powder to abrade screens! They contain very coarse particles that can get trapped in the fibres and destroy the mesh.

DECREASING THE MESH:

New mesh tends to be greasy following its manufacture. Older meshes sometimes get greasy residues from inks or from being stored too long. Degreasing is necessary prior to putting the stencil on the mesh. A properly degreased mesh will hold water on it like a film. If not properly degreased, the water runs into rivulets and drains from the mesh quickly because the water is being repelled by the fibres. It is advisable that a screen be degreased with every use before applying the stencil. Use Universal Mash Prep, a light brown fluid for degreasing and improving the wetting-up characteristics of mesh.

Procedure:

  1. Rinse the screen thoroughly with water.
  2. Apply Mesh Prep using a rag (not paper towels) to both sides of the mesh and rub in with a brush, rag, or glove using circular motions.
  3. Leave on one to two minutes and rinse off with a strong spray of water.
Wet down Screen
Rinse Screen Thoroughly
Work in with a brush

 

REMEMBER:

The importance of thorough mesh preparation can never be emphasized enough. It should be looked upon as one of the basic ground rules when producing stencils. Failure to pre-treat mesh can lead to costly breakdowns in production, which can easily be eliminated by taking a few extra and inexpensive minutes at the beginning of production to roughen and degreases the mesh.