- Dealing with Dirt and Dry Ink on Graphic Prints: When dirt or ink dries on the printing part, the screen needs to be cleaned. However, avoid forcefully wiping the graphic surface of the stencil, as it may damage the emulsion layer interface of the graphic and even wipe it clean, leaving only bare mesh. Therefore, the key to avoiding rough cleaning is to prevent contamination of the screen first.
- Preventing Screen Contamination: The main cause of screen contamination is improper ink control, resulting in ink drying on the mesh. When using solvent-based or water-based inks, additives should be added in the prescribed amount, and a small amount of pre-adjusted ink should be added frequently to keep the ink consistent. UV-curable inks should be avoided from exposure to UV lamps or sunlight. Additionally, ink control issues are related to improper adjustment of printing speed.
- Preventing Ink Drying Out: One cause of ink drying out is improper adjustment or worn-out ink scraper. A sharp-edged ink scraper should be used with a horizontal angle of approximately 75 degrees to print fine images with high mesh counts. The ink scraper should be flipped regularly to extend the life of its scraping edge, or replaced before the print quality declines.
To ensure that the mesh can function properly, attention should also be paid to cleaning stains inside the ink or on the substrate. Using antistatic devices and substrate cleaning devices can prevent dust and dirt from transferring from the substrate surface to the mesh. Additionally, using a Silman Tech screen cleaning machine for cleaning yields excellent results.
