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32 graphics-pro.com S T A R T H E R E 2 0 2 1 By Kieth Stevens Y ou're a beginner at screen printing or have been printing for years, yet your white prints often have jagged or "blurry" edges. Don't despair. Here are some tricks and tips to help you achieve a clean print — every time. One of the complaints I hear the most is, "My white ink is not opaque enough." Although it may be true of some inks, I find that most of the time, it's the printing technique that is causing the lack of opacity or the jagged edges. Each piece of equipment or tool you use in your printing can make a difference in how your final print turns out. Screen and Mesh Let's start with the mesh and screen. The tighter the mesh, the easier it is for the ink to flow through the mesh and the sharper and more defined the print. The screen should clear the platen right after the stroke. If the mesh is loose, the mesh allows too Perfect White Master your white prints — every time Kieth is the Western regional sales manager for International Coatings (ICC). He has been screen printing for over 44 years, teaching screen print- ing for over 12 years, and is a regular contributor to the International Coatings blog. Read the ICC blog at internationalcoatingsblog.com. Contact Kieth at kstevens@iccink.com. Screen Printing One of the top complaints among screen printers is, "My white ink is not opaque enough." (All images courtesy International Coatings) HOW TO SCREEN PRINT THE