Roller frames allow you greater control and the ability to re-tension. Aluminum frames are good and hold tension for as long as the mesh does not stretch but it eventually will and requires a stripping and re-gluing process.

Wood frames absorb water and solvents and have the lowest ability and shortest useful lifespan.

Roller frames are best.

Posted in Frank Lee Blog

There are many shapes and sizes and all are designed to "sheer" the ink from the mesh and transfer the ink to the garment. I’m not going to get too deep here as there is so much to cover and the manufacturers will send me tons of letters defending each size, shape durometer and such.

I use 70 durometer square edge squeegees with 2" or less of blade extending from the housing. Set at angles between 75 degrees and 65 degrees this does the job perfectly for textile printing. Proper screen tension (tight) and proper squeegee pressure does the job of "sheering" the ink. Do what you will, but this is how I would set up your press if I were at your place.

Take a look at high-end squeegees such as the "constant force squeegee". Its blade is so small and it’s angled at 65 degrees (close to it). Clamped into the printer at 90 degrees and the rubber is auto set to the proper print angle. Yes, I know it takes a very level platen to take advantage of this great idea (not all can), but hey, right is right and if we can’t create a perfect environment now at least we know what we are shooting for. Strive for it in every way you can but take from this information as it is intended. That crazy shaped housing is focusing the pressure down the tip of the blade where it belongs.

Frankly, the next time you see your blades doing the "limbo" on press back off the pressure as you are not helping yourself.

Posted in Frank Lee Blog

Many know that the flood bar on an automatic and the flood stroke move the ink into position for the squeegee but many do not fully understand the more important task. The flood bar spreads ink along the length of the screen yes, but it also forces the ink into the mesh and "stencil well". The Stencil Well is the thickness of the emulsion layer on the "print side" of the screen that holds the ink until the squeegee "sheers" that connection and transfers the ink to the garment. Remember our conversation about "proper screen drying", now you are putting that to work. This is why only a small amount of squeegee pressure is actually needed. You want as much ink as possible to be left behind on the garment and not scooped back up by the squeegee.

Frankly speaking, you need to know this if you are to be a good Screen Printer. This is how Screen Printing is done.

Now you know more than you did before about "high-density" printing. Funny how all this stuff is connected.

Posted in Frank Lee Blog

Inkjet printers have become the standard for film output today. They work very well but users are not taking enough time to fully understand them.

Inkjet printers spray ink and if they are not used enough those nozzles will clog creating downtime.

Prevent trouble, use them often and learn your printer utility software functions that perform head cleans and nozzles checks.

Posted in Frank Lee Blog

Printers use ink and ink runs out. Don’t just have one set of ink in the printer – have a backup set waiting. You are going to use it to make money so don’t be afraid to invest in stock as you do with all other items. Downtime caused because you ran out of ink is costly. There is no good reason for this to happen.

Frankly, don’t be "penny wise and pound foolish".

Posted in Frank Lee Blog