Blick Art Materials
08-16-2012, 10:34 AM
Tip of the Week – Selecting Squeegees
Sometimes it is hard to know what squeegee (http://whataknit.com/2011/09/12/kumihimo-kits/?utm_source=What+a+Knit+Newsletter+-+August+2012&utm_campaign=WAK+August+2012&utm_medium=email) to choose for screen printing (http://www.dickblick.com/categories/screenprinting/).
Here are a few simple guidelines:
How hard should it be? The hardness of squeegee blade material ranges from a soft durometer of 45 up to a bone hard 75 durometer. A harder blade can be good for pushing thicker ink. I find that a 60 to 75 durometer squeegee may be used for a wide range of screen meshes and ink viscosities.
Square edge or round edge? A square edge works the best in most situations. I do not find a rounded blade to be effective with any normal screen printing situation. An extremely coarse mesh or an uneven surface would be the only reasons for using a soft rounded edge squeegee.
How wide should it be? I choose one that is at least one inch smaller than the width of the inside of the short side of my screen. I prefer wooden or metal handles but have worked with plastic handle squeegees from Speedball that worked just fine.
Jim
Product Information Specialist
For further assistance using art supplies, feel welcome to contact our Product Information Department at 1-800-933-2542 or e-mail us at info@dickbick.com. Hours of operation: M-F, 8:00am-5:30pm CST.
Sometimes it is hard to know what squeegee (http://whataknit.com/2011/09/12/kumihimo-kits/?utm_source=What+a+Knit+Newsletter+-+August+2012&utm_campaign=WAK+August+2012&utm_medium=email) to choose for screen printing (http://www.dickblick.com/categories/screenprinting/).
Here are a few simple guidelines:
How hard should it be? The hardness of squeegee blade material ranges from a soft durometer of 45 up to a bone hard 75 durometer. A harder blade can be good for pushing thicker ink. I find that a 60 to 75 durometer squeegee may be used for a wide range of screen meshes and ink viscosities.
Square edge or round edge? A square edge works the best in most situations. I do not find a rounded blade to be effective with any normal screen printing situation. An extremely coarse mesh or an uneven surface would be the only reasons for using a soft rounded edge squeegee.
How wide should it be? I choose one that is at least one inch smaller than the width of the inside of the short side of my screen. I prefer wooden or metal handles but have worked with plastic handle squeegees from Speedball that worked just fine.
Jim
Product Information Specialist
For further assistance using art supplies, feel welcome to contact our Product Information Department at 1-800-933-2542 or e-mail us at info@dickbick.com. Hours of operation: M-F, 8:00am-5:30pm CST.