Do push prints distort image more than pull prints?

2510 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by jmlampert23, Nov 11, 2008

kylerogers

Discussion Starter · Nov 10, 2008

I recently got a fancy press and have come up with some new issues. I was using a 4 color logos press. I was never able to do pull prints at all. I could only do push prints.

With my new press, I find it much easier to do a pull print. Possible because I have the ability to level the screen against the platen.

However, I'm getting a lot of problems with my push prints. I get smearing when I do clean up strokes too. My pull prints come out much crisper. I'm not as good at clearing the mesh with a pull print yet, but I can do multiple clean up strokes with pulling and it doesn't smear the ink like it is with push strokes.

Also, when I do a pull stroke, the image comes out perfectly underneath the mesh.

When I do a push stroke, the image is actually slid forward a little bit. When I press down with the mesh with my fingers it lands a little bit above the edges of the print.

The screens are all brand new aluminum screens from pocono.

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HelpRunMyShop

· #2 · Nov 10, 2008

I only run into that problem if it push and pull at the same time. Mostly i just pull

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RichardGreaves

· #3 · Nov 10, 2008

If the mesh moves, you will get a blur just like if you move the skin on the back of your hand with your finger. Mesh needs to be tight enough to resist the drag of the blade. Consider raising the off-contact distance of all your frames.

It may be the difference in force you are seeing because there is more down force, from pushing, rather than the blade flexing when it is pulled.

If you can feel the platen and you know the blade is bending, how much closer do you need to get.

The function of the mesh is to pull itself out of the ink film to produce a print. The blade fills the holes, but ink doesn't know how it got there and excess blade pressure after it touches the platen, just bends the blade.

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jmlampert23

· #4 · Nov 10, 2008

cant push then pull or pull then push. when you pull hte squeegee across the image the screen has like a wave effect that is minor but is the cause of that haze

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kylerogers

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 10, 2008

jmlampert23 said:
cant push then pull or pull then push. when you pull hte squeegee across the image the screen has like a wave effect that is minor but is the cause of that haze

I'm getting that wave effect when I push. I'm getting a crisper image when I pull.

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tdigital

· #6 · Nov 11, 2008

So, is it the consensus that when you do print, you can't use both push and pull strokes and that you must choose one and stick to it for that specific article of clothing?

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RichardGreaves

· #7 · Nov 11, 2008 (Edited)

tdigital said:
So, is it the consensus that when you do print, you can't use both push and pull strokes and that you must choose one and stick to it for that specific article of clothing?

Can't and must may be too extreme a life and death answer to this very 'gray' question. You are, or are not satisfied with the blur you get from either stroke, especially when a guy like me tells you dismiss the stroke and raise your mesh tension and the distortion problems go away. I can tell you, there is no automated press that pushes the blade.

If we tell you, you can't, anything... does that mean you can't? If so, I forbid you to expose another screen without a Stouffer 21 Step Scale. If you break this law, the Screen Police will find you, and arrest you.

I had a girlfriend once tell me during an argument that I couldn't drive on the sidewalk. After the screaming, I asked her to tell me that I can't drive off the lake side cliff. [True Story Milwaukee 1980]

Our standards have no reason to equal yours, or your customers.

If you stroke in 2 directions, you will get 2 blurs, but only if the mesh can move. The evidence is right there on the platen or in your forearm muscles. In two minutes you will know if you have more blur with a low tension screen with a push or a pull stroke. The push requires pressing the mesh into the platen, which some people find delivers a better low tension result. A pull stroke cannot deliver the same smashing the ink through the mesh down force because the blade is acting like a shock absorber.

11:58 Print a shirt and throw the squeegee away. Go to lunch.

12:30 When you come back, check the print. Ooooops! The actual act of printing is the mesh pulling from the ink film - either by itself, or you, slowly puuullling the mesh up so the last bit doesn't pop.

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jmlampert23

· #8 · Nov 11, 2008

it all depends on a few things. you need to make sure that your screens are nice and tight. and if you like to pull you have to pull if you like to push then push. dont do both on the same shirt

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