S-Mesh users, what is your ratio of counts?

[Gilligan]

Non-S Mesh people can answer this as well, just doesn't apply 1:1.

Curious, how many 130's vs 150's vs 180's vs 225's vs 3xx?

I've been fairly removed from the printing side of things until recently so now I'm trying to get an idea of what a good ratio is.

I know this is fairly shop dependent type of thing, but we just print generic spot color stuff 95% of the time.

[mimosatexas]

I have around 50 screens in my shop right now, and probably 40 of those are thin thread mesh (still have some 110T's and 280T's floating around).  The counts aren't exact, but here is roughly the breakdown:

(6) 83/71 (Not S-mesh, but Saati thin thread mesh) - used mainly for one hit whites, glitters, etc
(10) 135S - Used pretty much exclusively for white
(2) 150S - Used for white sometimes and spot colors on lights sometimes, but I honestly prefer other meshes
(10) 180S - main mesh for waterbased inks, spot colors, halftone white bases
(12) 225S - top colors and top whites, pretty much anything that has halftones but isnt super runny or prone to gain (like black)

I still like the 280T for super runny inks and black halftones typically, and for some flatstock stuff with waterbased inks.

Based on the last year or so of trends though I would probably prefer a distribution that was more like this:

(4) 83/71
(18) 135S
(6) 180S
(12) 225S

I would be able to do probably 90% of my jobs with just 135S and 225S honestly.

[Gilligan]

I would be able to do probably 90% of my jobs with just 135S and 225S honestly.

That's interesting, my new guy just burned a 135 backwards so we had to reburn it on a 150 and I said, well let's print it since it's on press to see the difference for you guys (2 new employees).

I actually liked the way the 150 was printing better.

Maybe EOM or some other variable was at play.

[Stinkhorn Press]

same basic thot
135S - one hit white, ub white
200S - top colors, spot colors

we do half 1 to 2 color and half 3 to 6 color and when the heavier color need stuff comes around it quickly wipes out the supply of the higher counts, even if you keep it roughly even 135 to 200 breakdown.

10 white on black = 10 to 20 screens depending on 1 hit or 2X round or top white. 10 135s. or 10 135s and 10 200s
2 6 color on black = 12 screens. 2 135s and 10 200s

[Nation03]

I don't have an exact count but 150s and 180s are what we use most. I like 135s but they're a little too delicate. Going to get more 225s but I like T mesh when we're doing wet on wet so I have a bunch of Saati 230 and 305 frames.

[mk162]

I have no idea, there are too many to count.

I will say I prefer 180's and 225's.  I have some 150's, but to me they put down too much ink.

I am really starting to dig the 225's for a base white.  You should really try it.

If I had to guess 60% 180's, 30% 225's and 10% 150's.

[screenprintguy]

135s  150s 225s  330s. Most frequently used, 150s 225s 330s

[Gilligan]

I have no idea, there are too many to count.

I will say I prefer 180's and 225's.  I have some 150's, but to me they put down too much ink.

I am really starting to dig the 225's for a base white.  You should really try it.

If I had to guess 60% 180's, 30% 225's and 10% 150's.

Oh, I've had to as we have run short a few times.

MOST of the screen busting has stopped.  Though, I just went put my first through one in the washout booth after my screen girl showed me a big gash in it.  They gon learn today!  I really wasn't pissed, just demonstrating why it's not useful to us with nicks and gashes.

So hopefully get this batch remeshed and we will be doing better for a while.  Just wanting to get the right ratio in inventory.

we do half 1 to 2 color and half 3 to 6 color and when the heavier color need stuff comes around it quickly wipes out the supply of the higher counts, even if you keep it roughly even 135 to 200 breakdown.

10 white on black = 10 to 20 screens depending on 1 hit or 2X round or top white. 10 135s. or 10 135s and 10 200s
2 6 color on black = 12 screens. 2 135s and 10 200s

That is an excellent point!  Noted and adjusting!

[mimosatexas]

I would be able to do probably 90% of my jobs with just 135S and 225S honestly.

That's interesting, my new guy just burned a 135 backwards so we had to reburn it on a 150 and I said, well let's print it since it's on press to see the difference for you guys (2 new employees).

I actually liked the way the 150 was printing better.

Maybe EOM or some other variable was at play.

150 is great for white on something like a gildan 5000 or 2000, but i havent been able to get enough ink through it consistently on fuzzier shirts to provide a smooth base plate in a single stroke.

[Doug S]

Here we have 50% 150's, 25% 200's, 20% 225's and the last 5% are 280's.  I only have about 4 110's for poly prints but sometimes just go with a 150