Being fairly new to screenprinting, I am not fully understanding the concept of a highlight white. Can someone explain (or better yet post some pictures)?
The underbase white is printed with a lower mesh count screen, such as a 110. A mesh count like this is good for putting down large volumes of ink, but is to course to print any fine details. The highlight white can be printed using a high mesh count which can include halftone screens, fine text or lineart.
fred
__________________
A day late, a dollar short, so it goes.
I would never use a 110 screen for an underbase. You'll end up with a bullet proof print. You're better off using 230 for an underbase, then maybe a 230 or 158 for the highlight white, depending on how much white is in the design.
The whole purpose of printing a seperate highlight white is to keep the feel softer. You don't need a thick underbase, just enough to change the color of the shirt to allow the top colors to pop.
__________________ Newell Graphics - Eco-Friendly Water Based Screen Printing ScreenPrintH2O.com - A Online Community of Waterbased Screen Printers
The whole purpose of printing a seperate highlight white is to keep the feel softer. You don't need a thick underbase, just enough to change the color of the shirt to allow the top colors to pop.
Yes, I would agree also, except the mesh count depends on whether it's an auto or manual press. We print on a manual, and generally use a 156 mesh, 2 strokes, flash, put down colors, and then a hilite white using a 195 mesh w/ 1 stroke, flash again, then put down the blackline (if applicable). The only time we would ever use a 110 mesh is if printing heavy text, or very simple graphic, 2 strokes, flash, and another stroke, run thru the dryer. This gives the "bulletproof" feel, but sometimes that's what the customer wants.
Thanks for the input so far --- Am I understanding correctly then that the highlight white would be any other
white colored detail in the artwork that would not be part of the base?
The underbase white is printed with a lower mesh count screen, such as a 110.
fred
I also disagree whether its a manual or auto a 110 mesh is old school and it would feel like a stiff board. We would use a mesh of 156 or higher as an underlay.
Highlight White 
