The Inkologist

Achieving a Softer Feel in Screen Printing: A Step-by-Step Guide to Thin Ink Deposits Screen printing is as much an art as it is a science, especially when aiming for a premium, soft-hand finish. Thick, plasticky prints are a relic of the past—today’s customers demand lightweight, breathable designs that feel as good as they look. By combining precise mesh selection, optimized coating methods, specialized inks, and strategic press settings, you can consistently produce prints with a softer...

Mesh Matters: Thin Thread vs. Standard Mesh In screen printing, the mesh you choose directly affects your print quality, ink deposit, and production speed. One of the most important (yet often overlooked) decisions is choosing between thin thread mesh and standard mesh. What’s the Difference? Standard Mesh: Traditional mesh fibers are thicker, reducing open area and making for a more durable screen. Thin Thread Mesh: Uses a finer (thinner) thread of the same mesh count, which increases the...

TECHINCAL TUESDAY Staging Jobs and Creating Efficiency Stage to Win: How Smart Job Staging Can Boost Screen Printing Efficiency In screen printing, every wasted minute costs money—and the press is no place to play guessing games. One of the easiest ways to speed up production, minimize mistakes, and boost profit margins is to implement a smart job staging system. Here’s how to build an efficient, organized, and press-friendly staging process: Use Push Carts as Mobile Staging Stations Each job...

TECHINCAL TUESDAY Is Your Mesh Still In Tension? Your Prints Depend on it and Here's Why. Tension Isn’t Optional—It’s Essential If you’re chasing cleaner prints, sharper detail, and smoother ink laydown, your first checkpoint should always be screen tension. Whether you’re printing white ink, wet-on-wet, or fine detail halftones, screen tension affects every part of your print quality and consistency. Why Check Tension Regularly? Loss of tension = loss of detail. Over time, mesh tension...

TECHINCAL TUESDAY WHITE INK: IT'S PROBABLY NOT THE INK! Printing white ink can feel like chasing a mythical beast. Every printer has said it: “I just need a better white!” But here’s the truth — it’s probably not the ink. While yes, some white inks are a nightmare, more often than not, the culprit is your process. Let’s break down five key tips to help you achieve bright, consistent, and smooth white prints — without switching inks. 1. Screen Tension: Your Foundation Your print is only as...

When to Screen Print a Gray Blocker Base (and How to Do It Right) In the world of screen printing, nothing ruins a crisp design faster than dye migration. That’s where a gray blocker base comes in—a specialized underbase layer that stops dyes in their tracks. If you’re printing on troublesome fabrics like polyester, tri-blends, or sublimated garments, it may be your best defense. What Is a Gray Blocker Base? A gray blocker base is typically a high-opacity, low-bleed gray plastisol ink...

Emulsion Coating Techniques – The Hidden Key to Ink Control If your white ink isn't popping, your black ink is bleeding, or your colors feel lifeless, you might not have an ink problem—you’ve got an emulsion coating problem. How you coat your screens—and what tools and emulsions you use—can drastically affect stencil thickness, ink deposit, opacity, and overall print quality. Let’s break it down: What is 1/1, 2/1, and 2/2 Coating? These numbers refer to how many coats of emulsion are applied...