wooden screens (poorly sealed) absorb moisture and expand and contract which softens mesh faster.
wooden screens (weak corners or sides) require lower mesh tensions when restretched.
wooden screens (moist ones) compete with emulsion in drying cabinets.
wooden screens were once trees and would need to be replaced with further trees unlike recycling aluminum.
wooden screens break easier than aluminum when used on a pushy salesman's head.
BUT...... on non-standard stock sizes or unusual sized frames wood is usually the cost-effective way to go.....custom aluminum frames often eat up profits.
If you can, see if your supplier will still give you a quantity discount, but with two of the 155's in yellow instead of white.
Those two will allow a finer detail image (less image undercutting) than white, and will still print the same ink deposit.
The hitch is they'll expose 1.5-2 times longer than the white versions, but with better detail, believe it or not.
what kinda press do you have? the wood screen wont really warp as much if you dont do alot of jobs.
Using an RJennings 4/1 press. I'm not doing a lot of anything aside from destroying shirts
Quote:
Originally Posted by tlbays
This is fun.....
wooden screens (poorly sealed) absorb moisture and expand and contract which softens mesh faster.
wooden screens (weak corners or sides) require lower mesh tensions when restretched.
wooden screens (moist ones) compete with emulsion in drying cabinets.
wooden screens were once trees and would need to be replaced with further trees unlike recycling aluminum.
wooden screens break easier than aluminum when used on a pushy salesman's head.
BUT...... on non-standard stock sizes or unusual sized frames wood is usually the cost-effective way to go.....custom aluminum frames often eat up profits.
If you can, see if your supplier will still give you a quantity discount, but with two of the 155's in yellow instead of white.
Those two will allow a finer detail image (less image undercutting) than white, and will still print the same ink deposit.
The hitch is they'll expose 1.5-2 times longer than the white versions, but with better detail, believe it or not.
Happy trails!
The wood one's I am using are from GMgrpahics, and seem to be pretty good. Tongue, and groove corners, rounded edges, and sealed very well.
Using stock sizes only.
They've got a deal right now buy (6) 110'S, get (6) higher mesh count for the price of the 110's. Which is $4-$6 off per frame. Might have to buy 12
I haven't burned yellow screens yet, but I burned my first 2/2 the other day.... I exposed for 25% longer than I usually do, and the detail was WAY better. Thin negative lines that were half closed on 1/1 were wide open, and sharp points that I had trouble with look beautiful. I was genuinely shocked.
I also buy screens from GMGraphics, I've both both wood and aluminum. I like the aluminum better, no warp, weigh less, shiny pretty color, etc... But for the price it's better to invest in the aluminum.
Besides what everyone already mentioned. aluminum frames are lighter and will put less strain on your springs and equipment. plus they will outlast wood frames and roller frames
I have yet to print the first shirt, but I bought a 110 20x24 aluminum frame, the other day. I was thinking of avoiding some of the issues pointed out. Another added bonus, aluminum frames don't burn. A local screen printer that started out in a ran down building near me, moved up to an old grocery store building. One day a few years ago, the place burned to the ground. The company moved into a metal building after that, I guess they had good insurance.
I'm thinking about buying 155's so I have something a little finer for colors.
How much better are aluminums? Are they tighter? Do they stay tight longer? Is there an advantage other than termite resistance?
Price difference is only about $4 per frame, but I would like to know the advantages from those who use them regularly.
Thanks!
I vaguely remember reading a story about an individual that had purchased a screen printing business. The purchase included an unusually large amount of screens. The buyer was upset when he found the wood of all of the screens were infested by termites. I believe this was in south Florida.
The aluminum screen I ordered arrived yesterday. I was happy with it, and will likely order more when and if the time comes.
Wood Vs. Aluminum Frames 
I believe this was in south Florida.
