Author Topic: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?  (Read 2316 times)

Offline Maxie

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What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
« on: June 28, 2016, 03:20:10 PM »
I am thinking of buying a roller, I understand that is possible to also print a solid screen after the flash.
Is anyone doing either of these on a regular basis and can you see the difference ?
Maxie Garb.
T Max Designs.
Silk Screen Printers
www.tmax.co.il


Offline AntonySharples

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Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
« Reply #1 on: June 28, 2016, 03:54:57 PM »
yes....get the roller.

Offline ffokazak

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Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
« Reply #2 on: June 28, 2016, 03:55:46 PM »
We use a roller, and it is great for some applications. Nice and smooth whites for sure.

I wouldn't get rid of it.

 I have never done the screen version.


Offline Underbase37

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Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
« Reply #3 on: June 28, 2016, 03:59:02 PM »
Screen method works. But the roller doesn't need any lube.

Murphy


Offline Colin

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Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
« Reply #4 on: June 28, 2016, 05:37:07 PM »
We have an Action Roller.  Essentially, its identical to using a squeegee - but you never have to clean out the screen of goopy crappy ink.

The screen we use is a 225 mesh with a thick emulsion coating. 

We almost always use it.  Prints look night and day better with it.  Even with "The Best White Ink" --- Roll it to make it even better.
Been in the industry since 1996.  5+ years with QCM Inks.  Been a part of shops of all sizes and abilities both as a printer and as an Artist/separator.  I am now the Ink and Chemical Product Manager at Ryonet.

Offline jvanick

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Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
« Reply #5 on: June 28, 2016, 05:45:06 PM »
just make sure that you're flashing your ink fully, as if you don't you'll start to get pickup on the bottom of the screen, which actually can make the results worse.

Offline Maxie

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Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
« Reply #6 on: June 28, 2016, 11:36:59 PM »
Is anybody using two rollers?
We print most whites twice, we could print flash roller, print flash roller.
Maxie Garb.
T Max Designs.
Silk Screen Printers
www.tmax.co.il

Offline jvanick

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Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
« Reply #7 on: June 29, 2016, 12:14:57 AM »
As long as you're getting a good first print I can't see a 2nd roller screen helping that much.

Offline 1964GN

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Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
« Reply #8 on: June 29, 2016, 06:47:33 AM »
We almost always use a roller (from Action) when printing a white base as well.

Our first 4 heads are
1) Lint screen
2) UB
3) Flash
4) Roller

Offline AAMike

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Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
« Reply #9 on: June 29, 2016, 07:39:05 AM »
Print-flash-roller all day long.

Offline tonypep

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Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
« Reply #10 on: June 29, 2016, 10:03:31 AM »
I have a flattening screen from Action. Works great but don't need it much.............you know ;)

Offline Colin

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Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
« Reply #11 on: June 29, 2016, 10:12:36 AM »
As has been said:  You shouldn't need a roller after your second white.  However - I also know that some garments are really nasty for being fuzzy..... In a few cases I have used a second roller there.  Warning:  You have greater tack with your white base after it has been P/F/P though - so be highly aware of how tacky your print is.

As an aside:  I have found some instances where the print looks insanely clean and crisp if - after I print the whole image - I flash it and roll that.  Very artwork/print technique dependent.
Been in the industry since 1996.  5+ years with QCM Inks.  Been a part of shops of all sizes and abilities both as a printer and as an Artist/separator.  I am now the Ink and Chemical Product Manager at Ryonet.

Offline Squeeky

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Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
« Reply #12 on: July 02, 2016, 04:59:33 PM »
We Love our roller! It is always on the press.

Unless it's a seven color job, our normal set-up is:

First head: Combo lint screen (semi-tacky teflon pad taped to the bottom of an old 230) and Action roller with appx 35 lbs
Second head:  UB
Third head:  Flash
4-8 heads: Colors as needed

Never really noticed fiber pull up from the lint screen. UB is smooth, smooth. Always run press solo, so lint balls, loose thread, etc. must be eliminated. No time to pop shirts here.
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Offline Action1

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Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
« Reply #13 on: July 02, 2016, 05:13:48 PM »
Once again we thank you for your continued support and feedback on how our products are working. Here' the next generation of the manual roller squeegee.