Impressions - September 2013 - (Page 62)

talking SHOP Screen Printing Technique Controlling Variables, Part 2 A look at effectively controlling factors involving the screen. By Rick Davis, Contributing Writer i n this installment of “Controlling the Variables,” I will review the effects of the frame and screen tensioning on the screen printing process. It is the failure to control these variables that cause many screen printers the greatest headaches and, in some cases, much more. The frame is the base tool for the entire textile screen printing process. There are three basic frame types that can be used in the process: wooden, tubular aluminum and retensionable. My basic philosophy is: “Quality in, quality out.” The objective of this article is to identify and control the variables of the process. You will see by the end that the more control you have over the screen, the more control you will have over the quality of your prints. Wooden Frames: This frame type is popular due to its inexpensive cost. Although a new wooden screen will work well for a one-color or multicolor print with loose registration, the screen eventually will lose enough tension after a few thousand impressions and the mesh will have to be removed and restretched. In time, once the wooden frame has absorbed enough water and chemicals, it inevitably will have to be replaced. Wood also is susceptible to deﬂection from the inward stress of the mesh. In time, the frame will have a “memory” from the stress of the mesh and possess a permanent inward bow. Wooden frames provide an easy way for newcomers to start out on a tight budget. The best part is that they can upgrade to a higher quality frame as the company grows. Tubular Aluminum Frames: This frame type offers a far more stable platform than wooden frames. Aluminum frames will not give in to the effects of the stress of the screen mesh or the repeated exposure to 62 Impressions | September 2013 water and chemicals. Tubular aluminum frames will not wear out over time, although the screen mesh will have a limited lifespan as the tension of the screen drops over time. Although the tubular aluminum frame will produce a screen with a much greater lifespan than that of wood, the screen inevitably will have to be restretched. Retensionable Frames: This frame type offers the most stable and reusable platform for textile screen printing. Impervious to chemicals and water, retensionable frames and screens allow printers to retension the screen following every few thousand impressions. This will drastically increase the life of the mesh and screen, and allow for complete control over the tension of the screen, which is the most uncontrolled variable in the process. For this reason, I will address the beneﬁts of printing with high tension throughout the remainder of this article. SCREEN TENSION EFFECTS Screen tension is one of the most disregarded variables within the textile screen printing process. Although it is addressed in countless articles and seminars, many printers do not implement the procedures needed to ensure consistent and proper screen tensions. This includes printing facilities that use retensionable frames. At some point in the process, the established procedure for retensioning the screens is bypassed for any of a number of reasons. Once this procedure is neglected, impressionsmag.com http://www.impressionsmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - September 2013

Impressions - September 2013
Contents
First Impressions
From the Show Director
FYI
Product Gallery
ISS Conferences
Outdoor Outfitting
Beat the Heat
Today’s Textile Ink Options
Shop Spotlight
Shop Spotlight
Embroidery Technique
Embroidery Production
Tech Tips Embroidery
Screen Printing Production
Screen Printing Graphics & Design
Screen Printing Technique
Online Directory
Tech Tips Screen Printing
Digital Decorating
Classifieds
Ad Index

Impressions - September 2013