How many prints do you put through a screen before you replace or re-mesh?

[ThePrinter]

How many prints do you put through a screen before you replace or re-mesh? Mainly talking about aluminum frames.
Just wanted to see what the general consensus is.

[Frog]

Do you mean number of impressions? It should be in the thousands.

[ThePrinter]

Yeah impressions/prints. I saw an article from Printwear and the writer was saying "A screen can be used for approximately 20 print jobs before it needs to be re-meshed." Did not sound right to me, that is why I started the poll to see what others say.

link to article:

https://printwearmag.com/features/steps-ensure-easy-reclaim?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20170802%20PW%20eNews%20(1)&utm_content=&spMailingID=17775795&spUserID=MTcxMzkyNDA3ODM2S0&spJobID=1080061984&spReportId=MTA4MDA2MTk4NAS2

[Frog]

That would be completely dependent on how large the runs are. I tend to run as few as 12 and as many as 300. Many shops, 300 is chump change.
Do you have a tension meter? Check the screens when new, after the first use, and then monitor them.
Heck, in some folks minds, the average aluminum frame needs remeshing upon arrival!

[tonypep]

Don't believe everything you read, especially in Printwear. That statement is blatantly misleading. Its one of the reasons I don't write for them.

[Frog]

Don't believe everything you read, especially in Printwear. That statement is blatantly misleading. Its one of the reasons I don't write for them.

Years ago, when another publication (since defunct) asked me to write about CLC transfers, I realized that they had set the bar far too low.

[dirkdiggler]

I have some that have been with us for 7 years and still put out GREAT prints with them everyday.

[tonypep]

When Mark Buchannan was at the helm he set the bar much higher. He was my editor for over a decade

[mimosatexas]

I have screens that have been cycled I have no clue how many times, but they probably have less total impressions than single runs would put on a screen at big auto shops. I think if it's good mesh and you take care of it they don't really have a specific life.

[aauusa]

that's like asking how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop. 

[Colin]

3

*crunch*

[GKitson]

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop?

1, 2, 3 crunch, most of you can see the commercial in your Mind's Eye...

[Doug S]

Yep, that is way too "in general" .  The screen could be done in 1 job if the run was in the thousands or 200 or 300 jobs if all of them were 12 pc runs.  Then there is mesh types to consider.  The best way like mentioned before is a tension meter. 

[Inkworks]

They retire themselves by breaking at some point, there is no set number.

[3Deep]

How many prints.... until the mesh rips or the newtons are to low to keep even a single print flash print registration print