Behind the Mesh with Zach Merrill
You know you’re talking to a true creative when one of their fun facts involves being a childhood string trap engineer. Meet Zach Merrill—printer, designer, merch mogul, and the creative force behind Action Tees. Known for his oversized, comic-inspired prints that leap off the shirt like a page from a vintage graphic novel, Zach is […]
Still Mixing Inks by Hand? Here’s Why It’s Time to Automate
If you’re still manually mixing your inks—plastisol or water-based—you’re not alone. But you are missing out on one of the easiest wins in your printshop. An automatic ink mixer isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a game changer for print quality, workflow, and your sanity. Let’s break down why this upgrade deserves a spot in your […]
Behind the Mesh with John MaGee
What do a punk zine designer, cross-country road-tripper, and surf-shop kid have in common? They all exist in the story of John MaGee—a true lifer in the world of screen printing. With roots in DIY culture and decades of hands-on experience, John has been pushing ink and boundaries since 1992. His journey has taken him […]
Humidity ruins stencils. Here’s how to stop it.
If your coated screens aren’t performing like they used to — or if you’re battling issues like sticky emulsion, weak stencils, or uneven exposure — the culprit might not be your technique or your emulsion. It might be your air. Humidity is one of the most overlooked variables in a screenprinter’s darkroom, and it can […]
Behind the Mesh with Platinum Prints
What happens when a sprint car driver swaps the pit lane for the print shop? You get Jock Goodyer—speed junkie, graphic enthusiast, and the hands-on owner of Platinum Prints. His story doesn’t begin in a studio surrounded by inks and squeegees, but on the racetrack, chasing down laps and launching merchandise for his own team. […]
Behind the Mesh with Matt McInerney
This May, Behind the Mesh puts the spotlight on Matt McInerney, co-owner of Jones Brothers Printechnology. Matt’s story is rooted in family and forged through hands-on experience, starting at just 15 with school holiday shifts at his dad’s ink business, Australian Specialty Inks. From there, he developed a technical fluency in everything from solvent blends […]
Why Under-Exposed Screens Are Hard to Reclaim
In the world of screen printing, a beautifully exposed screen can make the difference between a crisp, long-lasting print and a frustrating reclaiming session filled with ghost images and wasted time. But what happens when your emulsion is under-exposed? Let’s break it down, without the confusing chemistry jargon—just real talk about polymer chains, sticky stencils, […]
Behind the Mesh with Phantom Printing
In this edition of Behind the Mesh, we sit down with George Hassan—owner, printer, and the driving force behind Phantom Printing on the Gold Coast. With nearly three decades in the industry, George’s journey has taken him from scrubbing screens in a Christchurch print shop to managing Australia’s biggest print floors and building his own […]
What is Diazo?
Understanding Diazo in Screen Printing Emulsions: A Complete GuideIf you’ve been screen printing for a while, you’ve probably heard the term “diazo” thrown around when talking about emulsions. But what exactly is it? And why is it so important in the stencil-making process? Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned printer, understanding diazo will help […]
Behind the Mesh with Palmprint Consultations Ltd
Welcome to the March 2025 edition of Behind the Mesh! This month, we’re diving into the journey of Tony Palmer, the man behind Palmprint Consultations Ltd. From his unexpected entry into screenprinting in 1987 to running high-powered print shops and now consulting across the industry, Tony’s story is a mix of determination, humour, and hard-earned […]