Impressions - August 2015 - 59

Harsh cleaning chemicals and age both are factors that cause squeegee blades to become
brittle and broken. Buy new blades when necessary to maintain quality work.

hardness levels (durometers). Typically,
squeegees range from a soft 55 durometer
to a hard 80 durometer. To complicate
matters, there are sandwich-type squeegee
blades on the market that stack a soft and
hard blade, or sandwich a hard blade between two soft blades. In addition, some
blade edges are round, while others are
square or pointed.
With all the various choices available,
it's easy for a screen printer to get confused
about the best type to use. The following
basic rule applies: A soft squeegee lays
down more ink than a hard one.
Durometer/Hardness: The 50- to 60durometer blades are considered soft and
will deposit more ink. Choose this durometer for heavily textured fabrics, such as
fleece or sweat shirts, to lay down more ink
(may help with fibrillation) or for use with
special-effects inks, such as gels and puffs.
A 60- to 75-durometer designation ranks
medium on the hardness scale. This range
is ideal for general printing. The hardest
option is an 80-durometer blade. It will
deposit less ink and is great for printing fine
detail or four-color process prints.
Composite Blades: This type of squeegee blade consists of dual or triple blades
of varying durometers "sandwiched"
together, such as a 60/90 or 70/90/70. The
impressionsmag.com

benefit of using this blade type is that the
harder durometer gives the squeegee great
support, yet has the softer edge for printing.
The disadvantage of the multidurometer blade (i.e. 60/90) is that since only
the side with the soft edge is used for
printing, the squeegee will curl in one direction over time. Hence, the invention of
the triple blade, where both sides of the
blade can be used for printing and, therefore, be balanced and kept straight.
Due to harsh cleaning chemicals and
age, squeegees will become harder over
time and some may even become brittle.
Keep that in mind and purchase a new
blade when necessary. You may be surprised at the difference it can make.
Squeegee Profiles: For textile screen
printing, there generally are three different
types of blade profiles: square, round and
V-shaped. Square (straight-edge) blades
are most often used by screen printers.
They work well for standard or regular ink
applications.
Round (bull-nose) squeegee blades
deposit more ink. Use this type for special-effects inks, such as gel or puff. Vshaped (single- or double-bevel) blades
typically are used for printing on irregular
or cylindrical-shaped substrates.
Handles: A squeegee consists of two

parts: a blade and the blade holder. It
seems like a simple design, but the holder
comes in various shapes and materials, and
is designed for different functions.
For manual screen printing, for example, the holder essentially becomes the
squeegee's handle. Its feel when holding
the squeegee is important, especially after
several hours of printing.
Wood, aluminum or plastic are the
most popular materials used for handles,
and each has its following. Fans of the
wooden handles like the organic feel and
warmth of wood, whereas fans of the
newer plastic or aluminum handles prefer
them for their easy-to-clean properties.
(Heads up: Since wood is absorbent, it
soaks in much of the cleaning chemicals.)
Colors: Squeegee manufacturers also
color their blades, but don't be deceived:
One manufacturer's red blade doesn't
necessarily sport the same features as a red
blade from another maker. In reality, brand
"A" may use red to mark its 60-durometer
blade, but brand "B" uses red for its 90durometer blade. So ask for squeegees by
durometer instead of color.

This image is a depiction of how thread
thickness affects mesh opening, even for the same
mesh count. The thinner the thread, the larger the
opening and the more ink can flow through.

August 2015 | Impressions

59


http://www.impressionsmag.com

Impressions - August 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - August 2015

Impressions - August 2015
Contents
First Impressions
From the Show Director
FYI
Product Gallery
ISS Conferences
On Design
FLEECE: Classy Comfort
Quality Control
Give ’Em What They Want
Niching Down
Shop Spotlight
Embroidery Design & Digitizing
Embroidery Production
Screen Printing Production
Screen Printing Technique
Digital Decorating
Classifieds
Online Directory
Ad Index
Impressions - August 2015 - CT1
Impressions - August 2015 - CT2
Impressions - August 2015 - Impressions - August 2015
Impressions - August 2015 - Cover2
Impressions - August 2015 - 1
Impressions - August 2015 - Contents
Impressions - August 2015 - 3
Impressions - August 2015 - First Impressions
Impressions - August 2015 - 5
Impressions - August 2015 - From the Show Director
Impressions - August 2015 - 7
Impressions - August 2015 - FYI
Impressions - August 2015 - 9
Impressions - August 2015 - 10
Impressions - August 2015 - 11
Impressions - August 2015 - 12
Impressions - August 2015 - 13
Impressions - August 2015 - 14
Impressions - August 2015 - 15
Impressions - August 2015 - Product Gallery
Impressions - August 2015 - 17
Impressions - August 2015 - 18
Impressions - August 2015 - 19
Impressions - August 2015 - 19a
Impressions - August 2015 - 19b
Impressions - August 2015 - ISS Conferences
Impressions - August 2015 - 21
Impressions - August 2015 - On Design
Impressions - August 2015 - 23
Impressions - August 2015 - FLEECE: Classy Comfort
Impressions - August 2015 - 25
Impressions - August 2015 - 26
Impressions - August 2015 - 27
Impressions - August 2015 - 28
Impressions - August 2015 - 29
Impressions - August 2015 - Quality Control
Impressions - August 2015 - 31
Impressions - August 2015 - 32
Impressions - August 2015 - 33
Impressions - August 2015 - 34
Impressions - August 2015 - 35
Impressions - August 2015 - Give ’Em What They Want
Impressions - August 2015 - 37
Impressions - August 2015 - 38
Impressions - August 2015 - 39
Impressions - August 2015 - Niching Down
Impressions - August 2015 - 41
Impressions - August 2015 - 42
Impressions - August 2015 - 43
Impressions - August 2015 - Shop Spotlight
Impressions - August 2015 - 45
Impressions - August 2015 - Embroidery Design & Digitizing
Impressions - August 2015 - 47
Impressions - August 2015 - 48
Impressions - August 2015 - 49
Impressions - August 2015 - Embroidery Production
Impressions - August 2015 - 51
Impressions - August 2015 - 52
Impressions - August 2015 - 53
Impressions - August 2015 - Screen Printing Production
Impressions - August 2015 - 55
Impressions - August 2015 - 56
Impressions - August 2015 - 57
Impressions - August 2015 - Screen Printing Technique
Impressions - August 2015 - 59
Impressions - August 2015 - 60
Impressions - August 2015 - 61
Impressions - August 2015 - Digital Decorating
Impressions - August 2015 - 63
Impressions - August 2015 - Classifieds
Impressions - August 2015 - Ad Index
Impressions - August 2015 - 66
Impressions - August 2015 - Cover3
Impressions - August 2015 - Cover4
Impressions - August 2015 - O1
Impressions - August 2015 - O2
Impressions - August 2015 - O3
Impressions - August 2015 - O4
Impressions - August 2015 - O5
Impressions - August 2015 - O6
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202404
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202403
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20240102
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202312
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20231011
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20230809
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20230506
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https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202212
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20221011
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20220809
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20220506
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202204
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202203
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20220102
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202112
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20211011
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/DigitalDecorator_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20210809
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/teamactivewear_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202106
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202105
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/imp_0421_digital
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20210102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_fall2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nxtbook_bhtest/impwessons
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2020fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20200607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2019fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20190607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2019spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2018fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2018spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2017fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20170607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2017spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2016fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20160607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2016spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20150607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2015summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2015spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2014summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20140607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sportsfanretailer_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20131011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2013fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20130607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2013spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20121011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2012fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20120809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20120607
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2012spring
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2011fall
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2011spring
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2010fall
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