Keeping your Digital Screen Printing Perth customers happy means avoiding some common mistakes that people make in the printing process. There are also some practices that you should make sure to engage in every time you do a test run. These things will help improve your products’ quality while reducing the amount of time and inventory you waste.
Check Your Machine Between Each Run
It’s possible that the screws that are responsible for holding your printing press together may become loose due to the machine’s constant motion. When this happens pallets and screens will start to wiggle during the printing process which will then result in blurry prints.
Use Quality Graphics
Quality screen prints are dependent on quality artwork. This means you need to use a high-resolution image so it doesn’t look fuzzy. You also need to make sure that the colors are properly separated.
Choose the Right Screens and Tension
Different screen printing jobs will require different mesh counts. This is why you’ll want to keep different types of screens in your inventory. Although you can use the lower mesh count for most of your printing jobs you’ll need the finer screens for more detailed prints, halftones, gradients, and photorealistic prints.
Once you’ve chosen the correct screen you’ll want to make sure you have the right tension. This is important because tension loosens over time resulting in problems like blurry prints and rough-feeling ink. If you can’t tighten your screen, you may need to replace it.
Establish Proper Off-Contact
For a crisp print, you’ll need to set proper off-contact before you start the printing process. This is important because off-contact is what allows your screen to be gently removed so that it pulls away clean leaving a precise print behind.
Use the Right Squeegee Angle and Pressure
The angle at which you hold your squeegee and the amount of pressure you apply to it will have a major impact on the amount of ink that’s deposited. When pushing your ink you’ll need to hold your squeegee at a 45-degree angle or the ink won’t penetrate your screen. However, when pushing your ink you’ll need to hold your squeegee at an 80-degree angle or you won’t have enough ink on your product.
The Bottom Line
Digital Screen Printing Perth can be a fun process. It’ll be made easier and your products will look better when you take the time to follow these tips.
