[issicus]

I havent bought a lot of screens. i got a few from Screen Printing Supplies, Screen Printing Equipment & Screen Printing Kits .

I found some on ebay, but I question the quality . should I be looking at brand names? where do you buy your screens from?

im looking for 110 (and maybe a few 305) aluminum 20x24 , bulk order possibly.

 

[beanie357]

Newman roller shop. We found too much variation in the statics, even if you stretch them yourself.
Most people use statics.
If you need statics, we hear Pocono screen supply has a fair static priced fairly.
Newmans require a commitment to using them correctly, and can be pricey depending on how many you need. The shurloc panels remove a big pain in the butt for using Newmans.

 

[DKgrafix]

Newman roller shop. We found too much variation in the statics, even if you stretch them yourself.
Most people use statics.
If you need statics, we hear Pocono screen supply has a fair static priced fairly.
Newmans require a commitment to using them correctly, and can be pricey depending on how many you need. The shurloc panels remove a big pain in the butt for using Newmans.

I would second this.
I have purchased about 36 screens in the last year. Then I got used tensions meter and I was kind of surprised of the quality of the screens I had. I ordered one more order and they all came in around 14-15 N/cm, those were returned, another order with the screens around 16 N/cm from a different supplier, those were returned. And finally, I got a promisse from a guy that he well deliver me screens that will be around 25 N/cm, I ordered 14 of them. Of course, they came in at 17 N/cm.

The last thing I did few days ago, I have purchased 14 used Newman screens and Shur-Loc eCon panels. Now I will be in charge of my tension

Go with retensionable screens if you can afford it. Try using 155 for white instead of 110. The only thing I use 110 for are the white left chest logos, for everything else they put too much ink.

Good Luck

 

[Flagrant-T]

I'll third what has been said!

Pocono's makes really tight screens for statics, at a great price. They are static though, so they will loose there tension over time.

I haven't tried surlock yet but I've heard great things. I've got a bunch of Newmans which are just awesome. After you re-tension them a few times, they work harden, and hold their tension for a long time. Look for used ones. You can find some great deals.

Nick

 

[ScreenFoo]

I'll fourth that sentiment.

It's a lot of money up front though. If you can't afford frames and a toolkit, I'd get statics and a tension meter. As Dennis recounted in his story, at least then you know when suppliers are tugging your chain...

 

[Stitches]

I use Xenon frames and they seem to have good tension and hold up pretty well. I don't have a meter so I can't tell you what they are but.

 

[issicus]

thanks for the tips. I dont want to pay more then a few hundred for a stretcher , what is a good one? I found this on ebay it looks pretty good, i dont see any model or brand name though. this is probably the one to get

 

[wormil]

I remember switching over to Newmans and it was a revelation, worth every penny.

 

[ScreenFoo]

I have a diamond chase "Tension Kwik" for weird size frames, and it's a nice unit--the 24x36 model ran right around four hundred bucks last time I looked.

There's a heck of a learning curve stretching though--not to scare you away, but plan on screwing up at least a few, if not a few dozen--and IMHO a tension meter is nearly required for doing this consistently.

 

[DKgrafix]

For everybody that thinks that their screens are good and do not have tension meter!!!

YOU'LL BE SURPRISED when you get the tension meter. 14-15 newtons seams really tight when you push with the fingers.
35-40 N/cm screen can hold a grown man without him touching the floor with his feet. I have seen, in person (ISS Columbus), a guy standing on the Newman frame with an eCon panel without touching the floor. He was at least 280 pounds. Frame was laid down on the floor with mesh facing up.

 

[ScreenFoo]

That's how I print--they're way softer than anti-fatigue mats.