Screen Frames: Not Created Equal

Great screens are the basis for great printing, and great screens are made with great frames.

There are basically two types of screen frames available to screen printers: static and retensionable.

Static frames are usually made of wood or aluminum with the screen permanently attached with glue. This means that any loss of tension or tear in the screen requires a new screen to replace the old one, which takes time, effort, and resources. The glue that bonds screen to frame is also susceptible to various degraders, so care should be taken when cleaning static frames and screens.

Wooden frames are inexpensive, but in the long run, they are the lowest quality and the most expensive frame option. Over time, water and chemicals start to affect the wood frame, causing warpage. If the frame is not aligned properly, tension is compromised, which will affect registration, dot gain, and consistency.

Aluminum frames are more expensive than wooden frames, but naturally fare better with water and chemicals. Aside from this advantage, aluminum frames are still static and have their shortcomings.

Retensionable frames, on the other hand, are made with rollers that allow the mesh screen to be tensioned or replaced on location without glue. They are becoming standard for many new printers and will replace static frames for the most part over time. The upfront cost may be more costly than wooden or aluminum screen frames, but their long life and reduced cost of upkeep make them the least expensive and best option for most printers.