My screen printer has told me that I need "flash screens" for my printing. To the best of my knowledge, it is only applicable to White ink. What is "flash screen"? Why wouldn't you just print white 2 times? I'm confused. Help appreciated!
the 'flash screen' is a base coat of ink, most often used under bright colors. For production purposes it's best to print using the 'flash screen', it maybe an extra charge for the film,screen,setup and print but it's allot more efficient for production.
Printing the same screen twice maybe cheaper because you're saving on the extra film/screen/setup ect.. charges, however the look and coverage may not be great. Printing 2 hits of lemon yellow ink on a black tee will not give you a vibrant bright yellow, it may take 3-4 hits to get a bright yellow. With a 'flash screen' you only need the 1 hit of yellow to get a vibrant bright lemon yellow on a black tee.
Depending on the desired hand (feel) of the design, the first layer of white (flash layer) does not go down as thick as the top layer. Therefore a different meshed screen is used. Otherwise, if you use the same screen for both layers, you may get a thicker, more plastic feeling, print.
It is always a good idea to use an under base (flash screen) if you are putting light color ink on dark color garments, however you really should only need one per design not one per color.
the 'flash screen' is a base coat of ink, most often used under bright colors. For production purposes it's best to print using the 'flash screen', it maybe an extra charge for the film,screen,setup and print but it's allot more efficient for production.
Printing the same screen twice maybe cheaper because you're saving on the extra film/screen/setup ect.. charges, however the look and coverage may not be great. Printing 2 hits of lemon yellow ink on a black tee will not give you a vibrant bright yellow, it may take 3-4 hits to get a bright yellow. With a 'flash screen' you only need the 1 hit of yellow to get a vibrant bright lemon yellow on a black tee.
Thank you for explaining, most of my shirts are black, and my printing is white - so that makes sense. I appreciate your knowledge!
It is always a good idea to use an under base (flash screen) if you are putting light color ink on dark color garments, however you really should only need one per design not one per color.
Hi (first post!)
im getting valueweight Fruit of Loom Red 40 shirts printed with a white graphic does it need the flash screen? Is red counted as a dark colour?
When printing white you will more than likely just print/flash/print to get a nice white. If you wanted to print a light yellow on a black then you would want to make a separate (flash screen) and print white then yellow. that way the yellow stays true to color on a black or dark garment.
Flash screen? 
