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Screen printing is fast, easy and efficient, but there is still an art to it that must be mastered. If you’re not familiar with screen printing, there are things that can happen that will compromise the design. If you’re looking to order bulk t-shirts, bags or blankets for instance, it’s best to go with a professional screen printing company that puts quality first.
Here are 3 common screen printing mistakes to keep an eye out for.
1. Art Design Problems
It’s important to use a high-quality piece of artwork, as any little blemishes in the artwork will be transferred over to the printed item. Low resolution images will only get you into trouble. It’s recommended that the art be 300 ppi at print size and it should match with the correct screen mesh.
The design should also be printed correctly, which takes some precision by lining up the screen carefully. Since not all shirts or items are sewn consistently, it’s not always dependable to use the collar or crease as your starting point.
2. Screen Problems
There are many things that can happen to the screens, but some of the most common include loose brackets and loosened emulsion.
If the bracket is not tight enough, the screen will appear loose. All screws and brackets should be tightened for the best outcome. Additionally, the emulsion can loosen and come off if the screen was underexposed. In this case, it’s important to place the screen in the sun after it has been washed out so that the emulsion can be re-set.
3. Ink Problems
Sometimes, it’s possible for the ink to be cured improperly. The temperature should be set at the right point, which is dependant on the type of ink that is being used. Another problem is that too much ink is being applied, which happens when there is too much pressure. On the other hand, the ink may too light, which means a coarser mesh or additional squeegee may be needed.
Also, ink spots or smudges can occur on the material. It’s important to keep the hands and work area clean, and if smudges do occur, a spot cleaning gun can do the trick.