Presses & setup · 3 of 6 · 1 min read
Registration, adhesive and flash
- Registration: use a pin system or a T-square and film on each screen. Lock the screens in, then micro-register.
- Platen adhesive keeps the shirt from lifting with the screen; adhesive failure is one of the most common causes of misregistration (Ink Kitchen). ScreenPrinting.com favors water-based adhesive (long-lasting, no aerosol to breathe), and Impressions notes water-based adhesives hold up better under the flash. Scrape or replace it when it builds up.
- Flash position: an underbase gets flashed before colors print over it. See Curing for flash temperatures.
Sources for this guide (17)
- Printavo, Screen printing pricing
- Lawson Screen & Digital, Understanding off-contact printing
- ScreenPrinting.com, Functional off-contact
- ScreenPrinting.com, Sizing strategies for large shirt runs
- ScreenPrinting.com, Squeegee durometer and angle
- Chromaline, Understanding squeegee durometer
- ScreenPrinting.com, Everything about squeegee durometer
- ScreenPrintingNow, Guide to choosing a squeegee
- Screen Printing Magazine, Squeegee consciousness
- dot B, Low printing pressure: what is zero point?
- ScreenPrinting.com Help, How much off-contact do I need?
- Lawson Screen & Digital, Plastisol ink FAQ
- ScreenPrinting.com Help, What pallet adhesive should I use?
- Impressions, Troubleshooting screen printing (2018)
- Ink Kitchen, Why out of register? Let me count the ways
- ScreenPrinting.com Help, Should I push or pull a squeegee?
- ScreenPrinting.com Help, Squeegee blade durometer
Where sources disagree, the page says so.