How to Calculate Ink Film Thickness for Screen Printing
Transferring original artwork with screen printing techniques generally involves working with screen printing inks. Calculating the ink film thickness prior to screen printing will save project materials, which are often damaged when ink is not the right consistency. The type of ink being used as well as the screen printing application process, will determine how to calculate the thickness. Water-based ink uses water as the main solvent, making it less harmful to the environment. It wipes clean with soap and water and is generally used for home and small business screen printing equipment. Although plastisol ink lasts longer without clogging screening mesh, it requires a high temperature for the ink to solidify and cure and is harmful to the environment.
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Things You'll Need
- Water-based screen printing ink
- Paint mixing bowl
- Craft mixing stick
- Clear medium or water
- Paint extender (optional)
- Screen printing mesh
- Squeegee
- Screen printing mesh frame
Instructions
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1
Pour your screen printing water-based ink into a paint mixing bowl.
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2
Dip a craft mixing stick into the ink. Slightly stir the ink with your mixing stick.
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3
Lift the stick out of the ink on an angle. Let the ink drip from the stick into the bowl. If the ink does not drip slowly off the stick, it is too thick and is not ready for screen printing.
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4
Pour clear medium or water into the water-based ink. Stir the solution into the ink. According to “Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia of Crafts”, “The medium will make the paint more translucent.” Keep in mind that you will need to read your brand’s recommendations. For example, certain brands require screen printing extenders which are mixed into the paint. As the extender is stirred and mixed into the paint, it becomes more transparent. You will be able to continue adding the extender until you are satisfied with the paint color hue.
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5
Repeat Step 3. As an alternative, pour a thin strip of paint along the screen printing mesh.
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6
Dip your squeegee into the ink and drag it across the screen. If the paint starts to clog and does not allow the squeegee to smoothly drag the paint across the screen, the ink is not ready for printing. You will have to repeat Step 4 until the paint runs smoothly across the screen.
Keep in mind that this step is only for silk screen mesh frames. Although screen printing machines vary, the ink must run smooth prior to preparing the screen printing film.
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References
- “Martha Stewart’s Encyclopedia of Crafts;” Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia; 2009
Resources
- Photo Credit Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
