How to Measure Silk Screen Mesh

Print on any material with a silk screen.

You can use silk screens to print on almost any type of surface. People print on paper, wood, fabric, plastic and other media. Originally, people used silk as the fabric on a silkscreen, but now, they use polyester silk screen material. Polyester screens are less expensive, hold up better and don’t have to be replaced as often. Silk fabric would fray and run when artists would have to clean old ink or stencils out of the screens. The new silk screen materials are able to stand up to the abuse the fabric receives during printing and cleaning.

Things You'll Need

• Silk screen material
• Scissors
• Yardstick or tape measure
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Choose the fabric that you want to put on your screen. The screens come in mesh sizes varying from 6XX to 20 XX. If you want to print with the finest mesh, get a mesh that is one of the higher numbers, but 12XX is perfect for paper. Remember, if you use a 20XX mesh, you will get better printing, so if you are working with a design that has a lot of intricate details buy a higher mesh with a higher number. The 20XX is the finest mesh that you can purchase unless you get actual silk. The lower numbered silk screen mesh is less expensive, and gives a cruder print. Depending on the fabric you buy, it will cost somewhere between $20 to $30 dollars.

2. Measure your silkscreen. Make sure you measure the length and width of the part of the frame that the screen covers. Measure from edge to edge, not just the inside opening of the screen. Don’t worry about measuring the sides. Write down your measurements. Add 2 inches to the length and width of the screen to get the final size of your new screen. The 2 inches you added on will cover the sides of the screen.

3. Lay the silk screen mesh on a flat surface. Measure the fabric from one of the finished edges. Measure the fabric, and mark the final size of your new screen from step 2 with a pencil. Silk screen mesh doesn’t stretch a lot, so it is better to make it too big, rather than too small. Be careful with the fabric. You do not want to accidentally fray the edges or put a run in the fabric.

4. Cut the fabric with a sharp pair of scissors, and you are ready to mount your fabric.

Tips & Warnings

• Don’t cut the fabric until you are ready to start mounting it on the silk screen. If you cut the fabric and leave it sitting around, it is more likely to become frayed or get runs in it like a pair of pantyhose. Remember, this is delicate material.

• Make sure your fabric is positioned correctly before you start stapling it into place. Once the staples go into the fabric, it will ruin the edges, and make it hard to use if you have to remove the staples.

References

• A DIY Guide to Screen Printing T-shirts for Cheap