effect. You typically would not use the 2/2 method unless you desired a thicker ink film. For printing standard wet-on-wet applications with mesh counts ranging from 160 to 230, I prefer the 2 print/1 ink. On mesh counts finer than 230, I would use the 1/1 application. Coating speed also is important. Remember to pass the screen coater over in a medium and consistent motion. Doing this too slowly will result in emulsion spilling from the sides the coater. Do this too quickly and you will start to entrap air (bubbles) inside the mesh openings. This will result in pinholes either when the screen is washed out following exposure or - even worse - on the press. The most important aspect here is to coat the ink side last to ensure the stencil is on the correct side of the screen. The one way to eliminate the human Use Info*Action #25 at impressionsmag.com/infoaction impressionsmag.com variable of the screen-coating process is to purchase an automated coating system. For those doing it manually, establishing the proper procedures to control and maintain the quality of your screens will only add to your facility's productivity and profitability. In Part 2 of this article, we will review the remaining techniques required to produce and maintain screen quality day in and day out. Look for it in the June/July 2015 issue of Impressions. Rick Davis is the southeastern regional sales manager for Triangle Ink Co. He is a 35-year veteran of the textile screen-printing and apparel manufacturing industries. His background includes plant design, management and troubleshooting, and he also is a member of the Academy of Screen Printing Technology. For more information or to comment on this article, email Rick at rickd5050@yahoo.com. Hear Rick speak on screen-printing topics at the Imprinted Sportswear Shows (ISS). Individual seminars are just $25 if you pre-register: issshows.com. Suggested Reading Like this article? Read these and other screen-printing articles at impressionsmag.com: * "Putting Your Best Print Forward" * "Top Tips to Improve T-shirt Print Quality" * "Handling Hoodies with Unique Printed Locations" Use Info*Action #26 at impressionsmag.com/infoaction See us at ISS Nashville April/May 2015 | Impressions 65http://www.issshows.com http://www.impressionsmag.com http://www.nationalbanner.com http://www.Stahls.com/AWAW http://www.Stahls.com http://www.nationalbanner.com http://www.impressionsmag.com/infoaction http://www.impressionsmag.com/infoaction http://www.impressionsmag.com