{"id":645,"date":"2017-04-27T17:04:55","date_gmt":"2017-04-27T17:04:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/anatol.com\/2017\/04\/27\/keep-your-screen-printing-quality-high-with-proper-screen-tension\/"},"modified":"2025-05-07T11:36:50","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T11:36:50","slug":"keep-your-screen-printing-quality-high-with-proper-screen-tension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/anatol.com\/ru\/keep-your-screen-printing-quality-high-with-proper-screen-tension\/","title":{"rendered":"Keep Your Screen Printing Quality High with Proper Screen Tension"},"content":{"rendered":"
When your prints aren’t turning out quite as they should, your screen tension may be to blame! Not only can improperly tensioned screens reduce your print quality, they can also lessen your shop\u2019s efficiency. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to make sure your screens are set up for optimum performance.<\/p>\n
Put yourself in this situation: You\u2019re beginning a print run when you start to notice your prints are coming out blurry, smeared, or otherwise flawed. The suspects that\u2019ll probably jump to mind first are your artwork and your screen printing press<\/a>. As you investigate the root of the problem, you find your artwork was set up perfectly and your press appears to be operating normally. What\u2019s to blame for the misprints? Your screen tension may be a less obvious culprit, but it can cause big problems.<\/p>\n Screen tension is how tightly your mesh is stretched in the frame, measured in Newtons per square centimeter (N\/cm2<\/sup>). Over time, screens lose tension as repeated strokes of the squeegee strain and distort the mesh, making it more difficult for the mesh to return to its original shape. Screens with improper tension can cause a whole host of issues:<\/p>\n How do you tell if your screens have proper tension? You need to know:<\/p>\n Proper tension is typically between 25 and 35 N\/cm2<\/sup>, but you can usually get away with a minimum of 15 N\/cm2<\/sup>. Anything less than that and it may start to affect your print quality. How do you find these measurements?<\/p>\n In order to measure your screen tension, you\u2019ll need a device called a tension meter.<\/i> It rests on the print side of the screen and detects the amount the mesh gives under its weight. When you measure, make sure your screen is on a flat, level surface. Don\u2019t just measure in one place \u2013 check all over the screen to make sure the tension is uniform for consistent results. Make sure you measure your tension in two directions — from top to bottom of your screens (warp), and from one side of the screen to the other (weft).<\/p>\n If you notice your screen tension is less than 15 N\/cm2, how can you fix it? It\u2019s possible to adjust the tension of your screens yourself if you have the right tools. A screen stretcher<\/a> is a device that uses either manually-operated or pneumatic clamps to bring your mesh back up to proper tension. If you don\u2019t want to add additional equipment, you can make the job even easier by using retensionable (or roller) frames. If you don\u2019t want to do it yourself, there are places you can send your screens to have them retensioned.<\/p>\n Anatol’s pneumatic screen stretcher<\/a> takes the work Keep in mind that your screen tension depends in part on the type of frames<\/a> you\u2019re using. Wooden frames can lose tension over time when exposed to moisture or temperature changes. The adhesive used to hold the mesh to metal frames can degrade over time, causing improper tension. Even roller frames may lose their grip on the mesh over time, so check them regularly to make sure they\u2019re holding proper tension and adjust as necessary.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re printing, there are some additional steps you can take to maintain proper screen tension. It\u2019s a good idea to use the least amount of off-contact<\/a> possible and make sure your screens and pallets are level and parallel. This avoids the need to use excessive squeegee pressure, reducing the stress on your screens and allowing your squeegee to travel faster, boosting your print speed, productivity and efficiency.<\/p>\n One last thing to consider \u2013 too high of screen tension can also be a problem! If your mesh is stretched too tightly, your screens will be more susceptible to damage during printing and potentially more difficult to print through if you\u2019re using a manual press.<\/p>\n Looking for some more tips on how to keep your screen prints looking great? Check out our blog post:<\/p>\nHow Does Improper Tension Affect Your Printing?<\/h2>\n
\n
What Number to Look For<\/h3>\n
How to Find Your Screen Tension<\/h3>\n
Steps You Can Take to Maintain Proper Tension<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
\nout of bringing your screens back up to proper tension.<\/p>\n