Can someone please help me? I want to know what size screen I should build if I want an 18"x24" print area? How much space should I leave between the print area and the frame?
Posted by Juan Rodriguez on July 06, 2007
Screenprinting Q&A
Screen size for 18x24 print area?
Good question Juan.
the more space you have between the edge of the print and inside wall of your frame, the easier it is to print.
You will need at least 1" of squeegee on each side of the image (let's call it 3" total) and at least 2" on either side from the squeegee to the inside frame - otherwise the squeegee will either fold/rip the mesh from the frame/fail to print the edges of the image due to too much pressure. so call that 4".
this gives us 7" plus your width (18) = 25 plus your frame wall width to arrive at one dimension.
the other way, you need 4" top and 4" bottom to give you enough room for your squeegee run off and room for your ink puddle, or the ink will be running into your image and bleeding under the screen. so that dimension is 8" plus 24 = 32 plus your frame wall thickeness.
I guess if you print it the other way with a longer squeegee, just reverse the added parts.
If we assume 1.5" for wall thickness, that gives us an overall frame size of 28" x 35".
me, i would get frames 30 x40 OD or somewhere in that region, you will have plenty of room.
having said all that, you can go smaller, its just that you make it hard on yourself to pull easy consistant distortion free prints. the closer to the inside edge, the more chance of screwing up and fighting the print.
Good luck with it.
Posted by andy MacDougall on July 06, 2007
Great tip! I was leaning toward a larger screen which would make it more versatile anyway.
Thanks for the help,
Juan
Posted by Juan Rodriguez on July 06, 2007
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