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screen printing => General Screen Printing => Topic started by: Maxie on June 28, 2016, 03:20:10 PM

Title: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
Post by: Maxie 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 ?
Title: Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
Post by: AntonySharples on June 28, 2016, 03:54:57 PM
yes....get the roller.
Title: Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
Post by: ffokazak 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.

Title: Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
Post by: Underbase37 on June 28, 2016, 03:59:02 PM
Screen method works. But the roller doesn't need any lube.

Murphy

Title: Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
Post by: Colin 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.
Title: Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
Post by: jvanick 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.
Title: Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
Post by: Maxie 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.
Title: Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
Post by: jvanick 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.
Title: Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
Post by: 1964GN 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
Title: Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
Post by: AAMike on June 29, 2016, 07:39:05 AM
Print-flash-roller all day long.
Title: Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
Post by: tonypep 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 ;)
Title: Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
Post by: Colin 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.
Title: Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
Post by: Squeeky 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.
Title: Re: What's the verdict on rollers or blank screen flattening?
Post by: Action1 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.