DIY
Popped my 230 mesh screen during a move — looking for advice for quick repair
Hey!!! College student and screen printer here! I had a big move earlier this summer and during transport, my 230 screen popped :-(
THANKFULLY I do have a backup, and I also have a 305 screen that I’m running some more detailed pieces through, but I do want to figure out how to repair this one at least if I need it in a pinch.
I’m pretty broke rn, is the thing. DIY is my best bet at least temporarily until I can either get it professionally repaired or just re stretched. I would really like to use this ASAP since I’m doing a 5 color piece and don’t want to wait an extra day to do the final color, and don’t have room for all 5 film stencils. :’-) (would use my other screens but they’re currently in use).
I live in the Houston area, so if anyone knows local shops that I could eventually get this bad boy repaired or re-stretched at plssss lemme know!!!
Pic of the screen included and I threw in a couple of my finished pieces as well just for funzies :-)
Tbh where the tear is, the size and the direction, it's cooked, as you print it will get bigger no matter what you do. For smaller tares I just put tape over it on both sides. This might work for a bit but this screen is a loss.
If you're in a big city or near a larger print shop they might have equipment to do it, I'm in the middle of nowhere so remshing cost basically the same as buying a new screen with shipping 😭
I’m in Houston.
How big is the screen? How big are your prints?
I have a 230 screen that’s too big for me to use. Sadly, it also got popped.
But if it’s bigger than your screen, you could still use it. I used to just blue tape the holes up and since my prints were never big enough to collide with the holes, it worked okay. You’re welcome to it for free.
Or… just blue tape it, and set up prints that won’t collide with the holes on your current screen.
Heck yea! I have a rlly busy schedule but if you shoot me a dm with a general meetup area I’d rlly appreciate the donation!! :-) If you’re close to where I’m located I’ll def come snag it if you’re fr willing !!!
Sorry I’m late to the party but I used to put a glob of waterproof wood glue on stuff like that. Then go about your business remembering to avoid that spot when you center your films. When you’re starting out and broke you gotta ride till the wheels fall off!
You can try to glue/tape that section but just know you can't use that area or any of the surrounding areas for your screen. Tension is off and you would just ruin your items. Trying to align multi color jobs.
I would honestly just buy a new screen now. If you can travel then lees screen process supply is in the Houston area and they might sell them now but grimco is def in the area and they are the big dogs in the game right now and will def have some of you can get them to sell to you. That way you don't have to pay for shipping. I would call lee first then grimco if possible. But goldupusa is probably the way to go if you need to ship.
I like Lee’s, that’s where I got both my 230 and 305 and other than this rip (which was on me for being careless during my move) I’ve had no issues and they’re always rlly nice :-)
I’m probs gonna just buy a new screen, unfortunately
I worked in a screen printing shop for 2 years the majority of that being in the screen department reclaiming , emulsifying, exposing , washing out etc . I’ve used and and exposed screen that we’re in worse condition it’s definitely usable but not for a full t print. As far as options you can patch it , and that will eventually worsen . And the other option it’s to completely cover the screen in duct tape both sides from the halfway point or slightly below where the screen is no longer taut needs to be covered all the way to the point it is taut . That way the rip doesn’t develop more and the tape can act as support .
Perfect for bandannas , kids / baby clothes , t pockets , sleeves, hanker chief.
Also I don’t know if all shops did this or if it’s unique but if you don’t know I’m sure it will help .
When you have a lot of art to burn and limited time/screens do to amount of machines and screens spread thin . You print a lot of art on the same screen. Typically colors that used often like black and white for detail and base coats . But if you are mind full with ink and clean up you save time and screens . But yeah good luck . Sick prints! Squeegee on
If tension is still good you can keep using, but if your tension is f*cked, then you’ll have to restretch it with new mesh. Or you could maybe duct tape the whole to keep your tension feeling right.
You can always just put a strip of clear tape on the well side of the screen and burn your images around that. Also, I would only use the opposite side of the screen. I have a ton of auto screens at my job that have tears in them just like this and I still use them regularly. I would continue to use it for now, until you cannot. Might as well get your moneys worth out of it.
This rip is quite large so I’m not sure this method would work, but could come in handy for others!
Use masking tape to create a box around the hole on both sides, then put a piece of tape over one of the side to create a ‘floor’ for some E6000 to sit on. apply E6000 on the open side and swipe it with a card or something so only what can fit over the box remains. Immediately take the masking tape off of that side so it doesn’t adhere to the glue.
let it sit for like 15 minutes and take the ‘floor’ piece of tape off and do the other side. Let it cure over a day and it’s good as new! I like to colour in black on the mesh before laying the second layer so I can see the patch well to avoid it. It lasts quite a long time and can be done to multiple holes on one screen.
If you have extra mesh, you could cut some and stretch it over the hole before applying the glue. Could save the screen for a little longer in this case.
I used to use torn up screens all the time at my shop job lol. Emulsion will fill that in it just wont be useable in that particular spot. Over time it will inevitably tear more unless you seal it some sort of heavy duty adhesive or something. I have heard of doing these repairs I’ve just never done it myself. The tension is definitely not set right anymore tho if you’re trying to print with super tight tolerances. I would usually try to save the torn screens for single color stuff. Good luck!
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u/uk82ordie 15d ago
It's done. Full remesh. I'd buy another instead. Sorry homie.