[RoboChan]

I made my own platen and use vinyl as emulsion. My prints come out smeared, textured and thick. I have used speedball and vesatex ink but neither seem to help. I am using a 110 mesh 20"-24" screen. A 16 inch 65 durometer squeegee.

After researching, I think my off contact and the big squeegee is problem but i am not sure. In a lot of the videos i see their ink looks much thicker than mine also.

Please help,
Chandler

 

[ehadden1]

I used vinyl and speedball ink, and 110 mesh before. I got good results. I used a dime and nickel for off contact. Sharp edge 70 durometer squeegee. BTW I printed with a Ryonet silver press and their aluminum screens. Good luck.

 

[jasonsc310]

Make sure that you have a good 1/8 inch off contact.

 

[RoboChan]

Ok i was printing with really no off contact. I just got a new 12 inch 70 duro squeegee that might help. The 16 in would ride on top of the pads i use for off contact and not press the screen down. A nickel is 1/16 of a inch so 2 stacked should work perfect. I hope this will work.

Thanks,
Chandler

 

[Dwaynec]

a good off contact seems to be your answer.

 

[RoboChan]

ok my prints come out clearer, but the edges are not sharp to say the least. Do most of you apply the vinyl on the ink side or bottom? My squeegee seems to catch the vinyl.

 

[ehadden1]

I put it on the squeegee side. I might try it on the shirt side next. I prefer using QTX premixed emulsion with my 500 watt work light. Get a scoop coater, emulsion, work light, and give it a try. I watched plenty of youtube videos. Now im getting better at it and less messy.