[HRMgraphics]

I am fairly new to screen printing, and the biggest problem I have been running into is keeping my white or base layers consistently smooth, every so often one or a few in a row become very textured and you can see the fibers sticking up from the garment. I have been playing with off contact and mesh counts a little bit and have watched some tutorials, but I was wondering if i could get a few tips from here on how yall solve these problems.

 

[rhilferding]

Are you flashing and then putting down another coat?

 

[HRMgraphics]

yes. the first layer will be kind of rough going down, and the second layer will go down smooth but look extremely textured

 

[sben763]

Make sure your ink is warm and you have mixed it well. If its still thick try 3-5% curable reducer. You first print before you flash it needs to be smooth. With white you may not be flooding enough. You can also flood print flood print or try a dry stroke if your screen isn't clearing. Experiment and see what works best for you.

 

[HRMgraphics]

ok thank you i will try these or a combination.
thanks

 

[rhilferding]

A rough finish is often caused by over flashing - try reducing the flash time until it seems a bit to short. Overflashing cures the ink and leaves the fibers poking up so you get that rough finish

 

[HRMgraphics]

A rough finish is often caused by over flashing - try reducing the flash time until it seems a bit to short. Overflashing cures the ink and leaves the fibers poking up so you get that rough finish

I adjusted the hight of the flash unit and that also seemed to help the process and feel

 

[HRMgraphics]

Make sure your ink is warm and you have mixed it well. If its still thick try 3-5% curable reducer. You first print before you flash it needs to be smooth. With white you may not be flooding enough. You can also flood print flood print or try a dry stroke if your screen isn't clearing. Experiment and see what works best for you.

The reducer and ink temp did the trick. our press is in a warehouse type place, so it can get cold at times. the ink is much easier to work with and is much more consistent now.

 

[squidbearstudios]

Hello I'm also new to screen printing as well
and having trouble with too much ink going into the screen causing a lot of issues with the print.

I do well with the smaller size screens but the big one's im using are really hard for me for some reason. I try to flood it without pushing but still the ink seeps through the mesh.

What does flashing mean?

 

[sben763]

The reducer and ink temp did the trick. our press is in a warehouse type place, so it can get cold at times. the ink is much easier to work with and is much more consistent now.

I have a cabinet on a timer with small ceramic heater. I don't print everyday and I seen a wireless controlled outlet that can be controlled from iPhone. I'm going to buy one. It takes 2 hrs to warm up and I have 2 computer fans in there to circulate.

 

[bpfohler]

Hello I'm also new to screen printing as well
and having trouble with too much ink going into the screen causing a lot of issues with the print.

I do well with the smaller size screens but the big one's im using are really hard for me for some reason. I try to flood it without pushing but still the ink seeps through the mesh.

What does flashing mean?

Either you've put too much reducer in the ink (which leads to gloss plastic looking finished prints) or the off contact is too high.

 

[HRMgraphics]

I have a cabinet on a timer with small ceramic heater. I don't print everyday and I seen a wireless controlled outlet that can be controlled from iPhone. I'm going to buy one. It takes 2 hrs to warm up and I have 2 computer fans in there to circulate.

is this what you keep your inks in when they are in storage?

 

[squidbearstudios]

Either you've put too much reducer in the ink (which leads to gloss plastic looking finished prints) or the off contact is too high.

I see, Yea my off contact may be the problem because I've been having issues with that as well.

When I start adjusting it the frame bends upwards when I screw in the clamps to the aluminum. I can't get it to stay straight when its printing. It doesn't seem to lay flat onto the platen

Thanks for the info