Newbie to screen printing, could use a lil help please :)

its hard to tell how big those lines are really... your probably having trouble with a variety of things... possible films that arent dark enough, exposure time that was not right, so on and so on... what problems are you experiencing anyways?

Thanks for the reply

I dont think its a problem with the transparency as the main block of the image - the skyline prints fine (its not great in the pic I posted, but the first 2 prints they were perfect, its just the lines)

Im not sure its the exposure time either as the yudu uses the same exposure time every time and again, the large areas of the image are fine.

The main outline is a 0.5pt line in illustrator and the inner detail is 0.25pt

When I tried to print it, I flooded the screen and tried to print, the blocks were fine but the lines were patchy and not coming through well. I tried again increasing the pressure on the squeegee, didnt make much difference. Im wondering if its because of how small the lines are?

xpenx said:

When I tried to print it, I flooded the screen and tried to print, the blocks were fine but the lines were patchy and not coming through well. I tried again increasing the pressure on the squeegee, didnt make much difference. Im wondering if its because of how small the lines are?

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That has the sound of incomplete washout. I would expect if the problem was too course a screen that the image wouldn't hold the fine line, but this sounds like the lines just aren't cleared out of the stencil...possibly overexposed?

First, I would say, yes, go with a higher mesh count, like the 200.
110 mesh doesn't hold much detail. And, remember that when you make a film, it has to be really opaque. When you burned your screen, did you hold it up and look to be sure that you could see easily through the burned areas? To be sure that they cleared well..
Also, experiment with the angle of your squeegee (to the screen)
Remember pressure downward. Are you pulling or pushing your squeegee?
Personally, I like pushing.
There's a lot of fine tuning that you have to do with screenprinting.
A lot of experimenting.
You'll get it. The big thing is not to feel defeated. Get the finer mesh screens.
Watch some videos on youtube. There's a lot of info, step by step there that should help too.
I always learn better by seeing something done.
Have fun, keep at it!

took another look at the screen, im pretty sure I can see through all the burned bits, i can even see the lil like squares of mesh? so in theory the ink should go through hehe. I never thought about pushing the squeegee, i think all the videos I watched started from the top an pulled the ink down, so thats something to try thanks

i'll get a 220 and have a play with that, I guess i could possibly go over the screen more than once for an image or not really recommended?

Thanks again guys you have been way more helpful than the other forum i tried and I get the feeling some printers arent big fans of the yudu hehe, but you know, gotta start somewhere i guess

xpenx said:

Thanks again guys you have been way more helpful than the other forum i tried and I get the feeling some printers arent big fans of the yudu hehe, but you know, gotta start somewhere i guess

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don't worry xpenx, some of us have a soft spot in our hearts (and possibly heads) for the poor little Yudu.

You Yudu guys are spoiled, I had to get someone to hold the screen when I started printing.

It could be overexposure/bad positive contact, or underexposure, and uncured emulsion running back into the lines as well...

You can always try fattening up the thinner lines before you burn the image, since you know it will close in slightly. As Denise mentions, a higher mesh screen will hold detail more easily, and I'd add you'd be saving ink, saving emulsion, saving time exposing, and making it harder to push too much ink through.

ScreenFoo said:

You Yudu guys are spoiled, I had to get someone to hold the screen when I started printing.

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in 3 ft of snow, barefoot, pushing the ink uphill...both ways!

xpenx said:

took another look at the screen, im pretty sure I can see through all the burned bits, i can even see the lil like squares of mesh? so in theory the ink should go through hehe. I never thought about pushing the squeegee, i think all the videos I watched started from the top an pulled the ink down, so thats something to try thanks

Pushing is also easier on your body. Less wear and tear.


i'll get a 220 and have a play with that, I guess i could possibly go over the screen more than once for an image or not really recommended?

Yes, you can squeegee over more than once.
No worries. Just don't reflood the screen when you do that.

Thanks again guys you have been way more helpful than the other forum i tried and I get the feeling some printers arent big fans of the yudu hehe, but you know, gotta start somewhere i guess

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You're welcome !
I think most if not all of us have had those negative experiences in other forums too.

xpenx said:

Thanks again guys you have been way more helpful than the other forum i tried and I get the feeling some printers arent big fans of the yudu hehe, but you know, gotta start somewhere i guess

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There are no "other forums"

cyclesurgeon said:

in 3 ft of snow, barefoot, pushing the ink uphill...both ways!

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...in the dark.

xpenx said:

I never thought about pushing the squeegee, i think all the videos I watched started from the top an pulled the ink down, so thats something to try thanks

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I just thought of something.
Are you using that funky plastic squeegee that came with the Yudu? If so, dump it and get a better squeegee. Also, I'd stick with a pull stroke on the Yudu.
The screens a very low tension and it's easier to be consistent pulling because the frame holding the screen is hinged at the back and the front doesn't lock into place in the down position.

cyclesurgeon said:

in 3 ft of snow, barefoot, pushing the ink uphill...both ways!

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Ha, none of the above. It was years and years before I ever heard of someone pushing a squeegee, besides flooding. We didn't have these fancy forums to tell us how not to be idiots--that was the biggest disadvantage.

Now walking home afterwards, sure--good footwear, more than three feet of snow, but uphill both ways? Why would we have sleds?

TYGERON said:

I just thought of something.
Are you using that funky plastic squeegee that came with the Yudu? If so, dump it and get a better squeegee. Also, I'd stick with a pull stroke on the Yudu.
The screens a very low tension and it's easier to be consistent pulling because the frame holding the screen is hinged at the back and the front doesn't lock into place in the down position.

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Yea, using the yudu squeegee. Lucky the thing was on sale or id be getting slightly annoyed with all the extras im forking out for heh. I shall get a new one

1. Don't buy any more Yudu stuff. real screen printing tools and supplies are much more affordable and easier to work with.

2. Would you be handy with tools and wood? (come on, you all knew I would get around to it eventually). Keep your Yudu for a light box and exposure unit, build everything else yourself and really start to have fun printing!! Next thing you know you'll take lessons and become a print junkie....and I've got the free plans

Just make sure ur not infringing on copyrights with that "Walking Dead" print.

Sent from my PC36100 using T-Shirt Forums

Haha no chance I can build anything with wood, never picked up a hammer or anything in my life. The wonders of a girls school education

Also no worries about copyright, its not for sale its just for me

xpenx said:

Haha no chance I can build anything with wood, never picked up a hammer or anything in my life. The wonders of a girls school education

Also no worries about copyright, its not for sale its just for me

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Then draft some strapping young man with a tool belt

cyclesurgeon said:

Then draft some strapping young man with a tool belt

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You offering your services?

A Doctor who makes house calls.