What Mesh Count Should I Use For Screen Printing

Mesh count is one of the first variables that screen printers should understand.

Screens for screen printing aren’t just sold in different size. They’re sold in different mesh counts, which you can think of like the resolution of the screen.

Since screens are just woven nylon threads, mesh counts describe exactly how many threads you’ll find in a given area.

How to Decide Which Mesh Count You Should Use?

To decide which mesh count you need to use, you should consider the details of the print:

What material (substrate) is being printed on?

What ink is being used?

How much detail does the image have?

One of the most important parts of successful screen printing is understanding how mesh count relate to print quality. Screens come in a wide range of mesh options. Ultimately, it’s your job to understand which mesh works with each garment, each image, and each ink.

While multiple mesh counts are standard in any screen printing mesh shop, they all have their unique uses for the highest quality output.

You can store this information in your screen printing management software and make it easier for employees to choose the right mesh.