Contents

• Printing Parameters for Screen Printing Machines
  • 01. Machine Leveling
  • 02. Squeegee Blade Angle
  • 03. Printing Speed
  • 04. Printing Depth
  • 05. Printing Pressure
  • 06. Ink Return Blade Angle
  • 07. Ink Return Speed
  • 08. Ink Return Depth
  • 09. Off-Contact Height
  • 10. Peel-Off Height
  • 11. Fixture Height
  • 12. Fixture Spacing
  • 13. Registration Methods

Printing Parameters for Screen Printing Machines

1. Machine Leveling:

   Proper leveling is often overlooked but critical for print stability. An unlevel machine can cause misalignment, uneven ink flow, inconsistent thickness, ink bleeding, or incomplete prints.

2. Squeegee Blade Angle:

   A larger angle requires deeper printing but reduces straightness. For clear images, use a smaller angle (typically 14°–22°). For ultra-fine silver lines, use around 12°. Smaller angles yield thinner and more uniform coatings; larger angles produce thicker, less consistent layers.

3. Printing Speed:

   Depends on ink properties, pattern complexity, print location, and substrate flatness. Each case requires different settings for optimal results.

4. Printing Depth:

   Affected by squeegee hardness, angle, pattern type, desired thickness, substrate flatness, ink return method, off-contact height, peel-off height, and pattern distortion. No fixed standard—adjust as needed.

5. Printing Pressure:

   Influenced by screen condition, squeegee hardness and angle, print depth, pattern complexity, ink thickness, and substrate flatness. Should be adjusted based on actual printing results.

6. Ink Return Blade Angle:

   Set based on ink viscosity, tackiness, and depth. Avoid using 0° or 90° for high-viscosity ink as it can cause screen depression and uneven coverage. Adjusting the angle helps reduce air bubbles and control ink release.

7. Ink Return Speed:

   Affects ink release and overall print consistency. When matched with angle and depth, it helps control ink volume and increases yield and efficiency.

8. Ink Return Depth:

   Typically 0.2–1 mm. Screen depression is about 0.2–0.3 mm under 18–22N tension with 200–500g ink. If only lightly contacting the screen, extra ink is required, possibly leading to uneven thickness.

9. Off-Contact Height:

   Set according to screen tension. Lower heights help maintain pattern accuracy. Excessive height enlarges printed features. Sticky inks may require ink formula changes or slower printing speeds. The squeegee delay function may also help.

10. Peel-Off Height:

    Refers to vertical lift after printing. Useful in large-area prints to reduce off-contact settings and enhance screen snap-back. Overly high peel-off height may distort patterns depending on the machine.

11. Fixture Height:

    Used to offset substrate height differences that can affect squeegee stability. Ensures smooth squeegee movement and accurate print entry points.

12. Fixture Spacing:

    For edge-near patterns, fixtures should be added around the substrate. Gaps should not exceed 1 mm. Softer squeegees require narrower gaps.

13. Registration Methods:

    Vary by substrate type:
    • Glass substrates: Edge alignment, fixtures, or vision alignment.
    • Flexible substrates: Registration pins, alignment knobs, or vision-based methods.
    • Rigid substrates: Edge alignment, registration pins, knobs, fixtures, or vision systems.