Fuzzy edges

Could be multiple reasons. First you should alway knock out black. Never over print black over another color unless doing a simulated process print. I always use a higher mesh when printing over a Under base. Again unless doing a simulated process print I never over print any colors unless it a under base.

I print my under base 128-205. My top colors will be 205-272. My black is usually 166-205. The higher mesh will help control ink deposits. My mesh sizes may seem a little different as I use all roller mesh.

It could also be over flooding. Not enough squeegee pressure on your stroke. Not enough off contact and or loose tension screens.

First, go get a loupe at arts and craft store or any jewelry or coin supply.
Check your stencil edges.
If they are always sharp ( we use 2 well side one shirt side costs), check your pallets flatness and oc.
If you are always good to now, and using wood screens, check them for flatness. If good to here, make sure squeeges are sharp.
Fine so far?
Now try to over flood or push too hard to recreate issue. If you can, you now have narrowed it down to technique.

Ok..just saw what loupe is and comment about stencil edges.

They may have something to do with it.

How do you coat a screen best??
I've heard just 1/1 and then I heard 1/1 let dry and 1 more on print side.

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We do over 100 screens a day.
coat one one, then second coat on well side.
we coat second on well as we have larger runs and can't have stencil breakdown.
I think your stemcils are not right, but just my opine.
loupe is the answer to look.
Could be washout, could be burn, could be not tight to mesh when burn. Even could be art.

do you do second coat after the first one has dried?

If you look carefully at the print you'll see that the problems are occurring where the dark is printing over the light print. On the shirt fabric areas the print looks OK. Make sure your light print is nice and smooth and let it cool off before you lay down the dark. Use a medium pressure smooth even stroke and don't try to force the ink through the mesh. If it's not dark enough you can always give it another stroke. Take your time and do it step by step and you should be able to dial it in.

that's what I was noticing. I don't think its about color or knocking out or not since it happens on all types of colors. But sometimes on other runs I get a perfect print. I am leaning to it's a stencil issue. I'm going to try different coating styles and see what happens.

also...anyone tell me how you know when a squeegee is no longer sharp enough?

aregister813 said:

that's what I was noticing. I don't think its about color or knocking out or not since it happens on all types of colors. But sometimes on other runs I get a perfect print. I am leaning to it's a stencil issue. I'm going to try different coating styles and see what happens.

also...anyone tell me how you know when a squeegee is no longer sharp enough?

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run your thumb across the edge lightly if you can feel the ridges of your thumb print you should be good

I agree it could be a stencil issue but I dont think so in this case. Wipe your stencil that is comming out fuzzy on the shirt side. print it on a shirt with out the base color. did it come out right. Then its not a stencil issue. when you go from a printed color to a shirt the stencil cant create a gasket to retain the ink. so it sqeezees out where its not creating a gasket. you will possibly get 1-2 good prints before it starts to blow out of the edges. So it not really a stencil quality issue more of a artwork set up issue.