What are common issues in screen printing and how can they be resolved?
- Blurry or fuzzy prints:
- Use a finer mesh count screen.
- Increase exposure time.
- Ensure proper alignment of the screen and substrate.
- Uneven ink coverage:
- Stir the ink thoroughly before printing.
- Adjust the squeegee pressure and angle.
- Use a flood bar with the correct durometer.
- Pinholing:
- Increase the screen mesh count.
- Use a higher-quality emulsion.
- Check for any debris or damage in the screen.
- Bleeding under the stencil:
- Increase the exposure time.
- Use a thicker stencil material.
- Apply a blockout agent around the stencil edges.
- Ghosting:
- Use a higher-quality emulsion.
- Expose the screen to UV light for a shorter duration.
- Rinse the screen thoroughly after exposure.
- Cracking or peeling ink:
- Use a more flexible ink.
- Increase the curing temperature or time.
- Apply a topcoat to protect the print.
- Registration errors:
- Ensure proper alignment of the screen and substrate.
- Use registration marks and guides.
- Inspect the substrate for any distortions.
- Fabric distortion:
- Use a heat gun or conveyor dryer to stretch the fabric before printing.
- Apply a pre-treatment solution to stabilize the fabric.
- Reduce the ink thickness or add a fabric stretching additive.
