Selection and classification of silkscreen frames

 Silkscreen frames are one of the most important pieces of equipment for stencil making. Regardless of what kind of screen is used, it is necessary to tighten the loose screen cloth on the silkscreen frames before the screen image can be made. Therefore, the quality of silkscreen frames directly affects the quality of screen printing.

 I. Types of silkscreen frames: They can be broadly divided into three types: wooden frames, aluminum frames, and steel frames.
1, wooden frame: low cost and easy to handle, usually used in manual printing with a small size screen. However, the strength of the wooden frame is low, greatly affected by temperature and humidity, not suitable for the requirements of high accuracy printing overlay, the life is also relatively short.

2, aluminum frame: the specific weight is small, relatively light, even very large silkscreen frames are also easy to handle, it is a significant advantage: low cost (of course, more expensive than the wooden frame) lightweight, a wide range of cross-sectional options, can be used to taut a variety of wire, rust and corrosion resistance, easy to clean. But not very resistant to acid and alkali, not as strong as the steel frame.

3、Steel frame: good sturdiness, but heavy, and easy to rust, need to be properly treated (galvanized or painted) cost is relatively high.
Second, the conditions for choosing silkscreen frames.
        1, silkscreen frames must have a certain strength, in the taut screen and printing to withstand a certain situation does not deform, to ensure that the size of silkscreen frames precise, so as to ensure the accuracy of plate making and printing.
        2、Under the premise of ensuring strength, try to use the lighter ones.
        3、 The adhesive surface of silkscreen frames and screen must be rough surface, and metal silkscreen frames generally need to be roughened on the surface to ensure firm bonding.
4、 No deformation in contact with solvent and water and temperature change.
5、 According to the different printing patterns, choose the right silkscreen frames to reduce waste and facilitate the operation.
Three, silkscreen frames size selection and processing.
       1、 The choice of silkscreen frame size.
Depending on the area to be printed and the type of printing, there should usually be enough space around the printable area.
2. Handling of silkscreen frames: 1.
Roughening: metal silkscreen frames with smooth surfaces must be roughened and sanded with sandpaper before use.
Treatment: The polished silkscreen frames must be thoroughly degreased with solvent (acetone) before use, and no oil-based cleaning agent must be used.
Cleaning of old silk screen frames: Used silkscreen frames must be cleaned of any remaining screens, inks, and photopolymers, and the edges must be cleaned to avoid tearing the screens.