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If I want to print 18x24 coroplast with a maximum image area of 17x23..... What size screen frame is optimal? What ink works best? What durometer squeegee is best? What mesh count is best? Anything else a newbie should know besides Stouse's phone number?
-------------------- Brian Snyder Sign Effectz Woodbridge, New Jersey Posts: 723 | From: Woodbridge, NJ USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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The mesh count depends on what kind of ink you use. I use UV inks at my shop. For that, I'll use a 355 mesh. If you use something like Nazdar's Coroplus 7900 series ink, I'd recommend about a 230 mesh count.
I'd recommend a standard 70 durometer squeegee.
You'll also find it easier to pull the stroke in the same directions as the flutes.
posted
there is so much competition to print those that i really wouldn't do it myself, unless i only needed 10 of them... and even then i'm not sure. you'll need to buy $40-$60 screen and a $40- $75 squeegee -- and by that time you've spent more than the profit in the job. you could sub it out and be done with it. (I'm all for doing your own screen printing, but not when its a simple coroplast job).
Glen's advice about the 70 durometer squeegee is right on. you''ll need a square edge sqeegee (not the rounded edge used for T-shirts), and it needs to be about 2" narrower than the screen, and at least 4" wider than the image.
You should check with your ink supplier about the screen mesh -- each type of ink has a recommended mesh count. if you use the wrong mesh, you'll be fighting it all the way and the ink will either go on too thick, or you'll have to thin it and it wont be opaque, or it will dry up in the screen. (personal experience!).
-------------------- :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: Oakland, CA :: :: still a beginner :: :: Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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