screen
A material woven from fine wires intended to block animals or large particles from passing while allowing gasses, liquids and finer particles to pass.
screen: mesh that separates what passes through
In printing, a screen is a finely woven mesh stretched tight across a frame, used to hold and position ink during the image transfer process. The weave itself is typically made from polyester, nylon, or steel wire, with opening sizes ranging from 50 to 400 mesh (threads per linear inch). The screen acts as a stencil holder and ink reservoir, allowing liquid ink or emulsion to pass through only where the image should appear on the substrate.
Screens come in different constructions suited to different printing tasks. Monofilament mesh (single strand threads) is standard in screen printing for its uniform ink flow and clean edges. Multifilament mesh, now less common, was historically used but sheds fibers more readily. The frame that holds the screen is typically aluminum or wood, and the mesh must be stretched to precise tension, usually measured in Newtons per centimeter to ensure consistent ink deposit across the print.
Mesh count and emulsion coating
Mesh count directly affects image detail and ink volume. A 110 mesh screen passes more ink and suits bold graphics or thick deposits on rough surfaces. A 305 mesh screen restricts flow and captures fine halftone dots or photographic detail. The screen itself starts blank, then receives a light-sensitive emulsion that is exposed through a photographic positive to harden selectively, leaving open areas where ink will flow during printing.
Screen wear and failure occur through several mechanisms. Emulsion can chip or crack from excessive pressure during the squeegee stroke, especially on harder substrates. The mesh itself becomes clogged with dried or oxidized ink residue if not cleaned promptly, reducing ink transfer. Steel mesh can rust if exposed to moisture without proper storage. Stretching failure causes the mesh to sag and go out of register, losing print sharpness.
The name derives directly from the weave pattern, which resembles a window or door screen. In the wider printing industry, screens are fundamental to screen printing (also called serigraphy or silkscreen printing), distinguishing this process from offset, flexography, and digital methods. The screen's ability to hold an image while controlling ink flow with mechanical precision makes it adaptable to textiles, ceramics, glass, and industrial substrates where other methods cannot reach.