What’s the Difference and Which Should You Use?
In screen printing, every element can affect the final result, from the type of ink you use to the tension of your screen. One often overlooked aspect is the colour of the mesh—particularly the choice between white and yellow (or dyed) mesh. While both serve a vital role in screen printing, understanding the key differences between white and yellow mesh can help you make more informed decisions that impact the quality, efficiency, and overall success of your print jobs.
Let’s dive into the benefits of both mesh colours and how they can affect your screen printing process.
The Role of Mesh Colour in Screen Printing
The colour of the mesh doesn’t just change the appearance of the screen—it has a direct influence on the exposure process, which is critical for creating high-quality stencils. The colour of your mesh affects how the light passes through the screen, influencing exposure time, stencil sharpness, and detail reproduction.
White Mesh: When to Use It and Its Benefits
White mesh is the most common option in screen printing. Here’s why white mesh might be the right choice for certain projects:
1. Faster Exposure Times
Because white mesh reflects more light, it requires less time to expose a stencil. This makes it ideal for quick jobs where time efficiency is crucial. If you’re running a high-volume shop or are just starting out, using white mesh can save time during the exposure process, helping you turn around jobs faster.
2. Good for General Use
White mesh is versatile and works well for many standard screen printing tasks, such as printing solid graphics or designs that don’t include fine details. It’s a reliable all-rounder, suitable for most basic to intermediate-level jobs.
However, there are some limitations to white mesh:
Lower Detail Precision: While white mesh is effective for quick exposure, it allows more light to scatter during exposure, which can lead to a loss in fine detail. This makes it less ideal for complex designs requiring tight halftones or intricate line work.
Yellow Mesh: Precision and Details
Yellow mesh (often referred to as dyed mesh) has distinct advantages that make it a preferred choice for experienced screen printers or when precision is paramount. The yellow dye plays an important role in light diffusion, which can affect exposure and print quality in various ways.
1. Reduced Light Scattering for Finer Detail
Yellow mesh helps reduce light scattering during exposure. This means that light passes through the mesh more evenly and precisely, leading to sharper, more accurate stencils. If your print job involves halftones, fine lines, or highly detailed artwork, yellow mesh is the best option to ensure crisp, high-quality results.
2. Better Registration for Multicolour Prints
Because yellow mesh offers more precision during exposure, it also improves registration accuracy for multicolour prints. The fine stencil details it creates allow for smoother transitions between colours and a more professional finish. For jobs requiring multiple layers of ink, such as CMYK process printing or detailed spot colour designs, yellow mesh is an invaluable tool.
3. More Control Over Exposure Times
Although yellow mesh requires a longer exposure time due to the way it absorbs and diffuses light, this can actually be beneficial. The slower exposure allows for greater control, helping prevent overexposure or underexposure in certain areas of the screen. The result is a more evenly exposed stencil with fewer chances of emulsion washout errors.
However, the longer exposure time could be seen as a drawback for fast-paced environments, as it adds a few extra seconds to your workflow. But for those seeking top-tier quality, the extra time investment can be worth it.
Exposure Time and Mesh Colour: Why It Matters
One of the key differences between white and yellow mesh is the effect on exposure time.
Yellow mesh, on the other hand, absorbs and diffuses light more evenly. This reduces undercutting and gives more precision, but it also means that exposure times are slightly longer. The trade-off is a stencil with much sharper detail, making yellow mesh ideal for fine-detail jobs.
White mesh reflects more light, meaning more light gets bounced around during exposure, leading to faster exposure times but also to the risk of scattered light. This scattered light can cause undercutting, where light reflects under the emulsion, leading to slightly blurred edges or less precise stencils.
Mesh Count and How It Interacts With Mesh Colour
Mesh count is another important factor that influences print quality. Both white and yellow meshes are available in various mesh counts, which refers to the number of threads per cm. Generally, lower mesh counts (like 43T or 54T) allow for more ink to pass through and are good for bold designs, while higher mesh counts (77T and above) are better for fine details.
White mesh in lower counts, for example, can be ideal for designs requiring heavy ink deposits, like printing on dark garments with thick layers of plastisol ink. The faster exposure time make it perfect for general-purpose printing.
Yellow mesh, particularly in higher mesh counts, is excellent for high-detail work such as halftone printing or four-colour process jobs. The increased control during exposure ensures that all the fine details of the stencil are maintained, even with more delicate mesh.
When to Choose White Mesh vs. Yellow Mesh
Use white mesh if you’re printing simple designs and/or need faster exposure times. It’s also great for printers who are just starting out, general-use mesh that works for most jobs.
Choose yellow mesh for more complex designs where detail is critical, such as fine halftones, gradients, or multicolour prints. The longer exposure time and higher precision make it ideal for professional printers aiming for top-quality results.
Final Thoughts: Which Mesh Is Right for You?
The choice between white and yellow mesh ultimately comes down to the needs of your specific project. White mesh offers speedy exposures, making it an excellent choice for general use and quick turnaround jobs. Yellow mesh, while requiring more time during the exposure process, provides enhanced precision and control, ideal for intricate designs and multicolour jobs.
By understanding the unique benefits of both mesh colours, you can make smarter decisions that optimise both your workflow and the quality of your prints. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, the right mesh colour can make all the difference in your screen printing success.
Written by the Jones Brothers Printechnology Team.
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