Mesh & LPI Chart
Mesh → LPI
Mesh count (threads/in)?
Typical uses:
LPI → mesh
Halftone LPI?
The ÷4.5 to ÷5 rule is a widely used guideline, not a law. Thread diameter, emulsion, ink, press and printer skill all matter. Test on your own setup before a production run.
Our film defaults
Films printed at 1440 dpi on an Epson inkjet, elliptical dots, halftone angles 22.5° / 52.5° / 82.5° (one per screen in a multi-color job). Set these up with the Film Printer.
Mesh count & halftone LPI reference
| Mesh | Guideline max LPI (mesh ÷ 5 – ÷ 4.5) | Typical uses |
|---|
How the rule works: a halftone dot needs to sit on enough mesh threads to hold in the stencil. Dividing mesh count by 5 gives a conservative max LPI; dividing by 4.5 is the common rule of thumb. Going finer than the range risks dots falling through the mesh or washing out. To limit moiré, many printers also avoid an exact whole-number ratio between mesh and LPI and use angles like the ones above. Mesh counts here are US threads per inch; specialty inks (glitter, shimmer) need open mesh because the flakes must pass through, so check the ink maker's recommendation.