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 to each side of the screen:

• 1/1 Coating: One coat on the print side (shirt side), one coat on the squeegee side.
• 2/1 Coating: Two coats on the print side, one on the squeegee side.
• 2/2 Coating: Two coats on each side.
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More coats = thicker stencil = more ink on the shirt.

Sharp Side vs. Round Side of the Coater

Most scoop coaters have two edges:

• Sharp Edge (thin laydown):
  • Great for detail and halftones.
  • Produces a thinner stencil with less ink deposit.
  • Best paired with high solids emulsions to prevent underexposure.
• Round Edge (heavy laydown):
  • Used for bold prints, underbases, or white ink on dark garments.
  • Produces a thicker stencil and heavier ink deposit.
  • Requires longer dry and exposure times.
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Pro Tip: Use sharp for top colors or simulated process, round for underbases or single-hit whites.

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Solids Content in Emulsion – Why It Matters

• High Solids (>45%):
  • Less water, more solids = thicker coat per pass.
  • Requires fewer coats to build up stencil.
  • Ideal for underbase and heavy white inks.
  • Dries faster, more consistent stencil.
• Low Solids (<40%):
  • More water = thinner coat per pass.
  • Requires more coats to build up stencil.
  • Great for fine detail or halftones.
  • More prone to underexposure if overcoated.
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Matching Coating Techniques to Ink Type

White Plastisol

• 2/2 or 2/1
• Round
• Heavier stencil = better opacity in one stroke

Black Ink on Light

• 1/1 or 2/1
• Sharp
• Thin stencil avoids bleeding or fuzziness

Colors (Plastisol)

• 1/1 or 2/1
• Sharp (Top)
• Enough deposit without oversaturation

Sim Process/Detail

• 1/1
• Sharp
• Fine edge definition, low dot gain

Water-Based Inks

• 2/2
• Round
• Holds more ink and compensates for higher absorbency of fabric

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Final Takeaway

Your stencil is your ink gatekeeper.
​ Coat with intention. Choose the right number of passes, the proper edge, and match it to your ink and garment needs.

Dial it in once—and you’ll spend less time troubleshooting and more time printing profits.

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