Discuss the different plastisol screen printing inks and curing methods on the market. Share tips on getting the best results with the different ink manufacturers.
I HATE bleed on black shirts. IMO, I would print a full white underbase. There are people who will tell you their ink is the bomb and it is unnecessary. I tend to err on the side of caution.
I should have prefaced this with the fact that I am green and not an expert in this field at all. I had this same experience with breast cancer pink on black tees. I still cringe when I see someone wearing one and think about how all it would have taken was one underbase of white to prevent the bleed. Ultimately, it is your call though.
I will be completely honest with you, and this will prove how green I am, I have about 50 screens now and they are all 110 or 158. I rarely even pay any attention to what the mesh count is. I bought a 230 mesh count bec someone on this forum told me that I couldn't live without it, it would change my life and the way I print. I have that screen. Next time I'm in St. Louis, I'm having it remeshed with 158.
I know I have a lot to learn, but it has taken me so much time and trial and error to get to where I am now and to be even remotely satisfied with what goes out of this garage, I'm not messing with a good thing.
I am sooooo open for suggestions from anyone. I've never seen a bunch of ppl like screen printers who can find a way to make things work with stuff around the shop like I have on this forum. I love the MacGuyver-ness of ppl who print for themselves. Sooo glad to have found this site.
I like to use high mess, because it puts such a little amount of ink down. Then flash and repeat the print. This, for me, works because it makes a solid print and is NOT a thick print. I just finished a job yesterday that was white logo on black ink. I used a 175?? mesh I think...print,flash,print,flash, print. It turned out perfect for me. You could not do that with a 110, because it would be to much ink (3 coats with a 110).
i almost always print white on a 156, usually flood, print, print, flash, flood print. on dark colored substrates, for best looking print i usually always use an underplate.
Should I print white? 
