What the heck is mesh count and why does it matter? Mesh count is the number of threads crossing a screen in a square inch. A 156 mesh has 156 threads crossing every square inch, while a 320 mesh count screen has 320 threads of mesh intersecting in a single square inch. But why does that matter? How do printers choose the right mesh count for a job? Here’s a guide to the most popular mesh counts and how to use them.
Having a stencil break down during a print job is every screen printer’s worst nightmare. The good news is that there’s an easy way to combat stencil breakdown. Using an emulsion hardener keeps screens at peak performance.
There are lots of emulsions out in the world of screen printing. The most common two types are presensitized and diazo mixed, or dual-cure emulsion. Which emulsion is best? That answer depends on the type of shop and darkroom setup. Here’s a guide to both types of emulsion.
To get a solid stencil, printers need to use a high-quality emulsion. The screen printing market is saturated with all kinds of emulsions. With three options, Baselayr makes emulsion simple. One of those options is Baselayr Long Lasting Emulsion. To learn more about why a screen printer would use this emulsion, the inks it can handle, coating tips, and dialing in exposure times, continue reading.
Screen printing exposure units have used a variety of light sources — UV, halogen, metal halides, etc. LED bulbs have now become the standard light source for exposure units. Why the shift? LED bulbs have many advantages due to their wavelength and energy usage.
