james here. i just wanted to talk about the differences between wood and aluminum screens. i recently made the switch to aluminum and thought i would let you know some things i learned along the way.
we all probably start with wood screens. i did. in undergrad printmaking, we bought our first, enormous wood screen and it took nearly a week to prepare it for use. i think we applied four coats of shellac before meticulously taping the frame with duct tape. it was a labor of love.
i knew there were metal frames as an option but it was not until i started taking classes at lillstreet that i considered buying one. i had thought they were pretty expensive and was pleasantly surprised to find that they do not cost much more than a wood screen.
it's not that i do not like wood screens; it's just that the overall practicality of aluminum screens wins me over. wood screens need to be duct taped to help keep water away from the wood to prevent it from warping. aluminum screens are ready to go and never warp. there always seems to be water trapped in crevices even after you dry off a wood screen. aluminum screens dry almost instantly. though i have never had a screen restretched, i think peeling all of that duct tape off a wood screen would be a nightmare. aluminum screens are ready to be restretched. the difference in weight between the two is huge. aluminum screens are as light as a feather. this takes some getting used to when printing though. you have to apply more pressure to help your screen stay put. lastly, wood wins in the sound department. it gets pretty loud when an aluminum is clanking around in the sink but i can live with that.
i bought my aluminum screens from pocono mountain screen supply. they send them fast and shipping is not too bad if you order a few screens for you or a group. you can also easily purchase them at chicago silk screen supply.
i started with a 158 mesh but have decided to go with 137. i found i was having difficulty when printing with thickened dyes and the looser 137 mesh seems to have helped the alginate get through my screen. my imagery does not seem any less sharp either so i will stick with 137 for now.
maybe consider buying an aluminum screen next time around.....you might be pleasantly surprised too.
we all probably start with wood screens. i did. in undergrad printmaking, we bought our first, enormous wood screen and it took nearly a week to prepare it for use. i think we applied four coats of shellac before meticulously taping the frame with duct tape. it was a labor of love.
i knew there were metal frames as an option but it was not until i started taking classes at lillstreet that i considered buying one. i had thought they were pretty expensive and was pleasantly surprised to find that they do not cost much more than a wood screen.it's not that i do not like wood screens; it's just that the overall practicality of aluminum screens wins me over. wood screens need to be duct taped to help keep water away from the wood to prevent it from warping. aluminum screens are ready to go and never warp. there always seems to be water trapped in crevices even after you dry off a wood screen. aluminum screens dry almost instantly. though i have never had a screen restretched, i think peeling all of that duct tape off a wood screen would be a nightmare. aluminum screens are ready to be restretched. the difference in weight between the two is huge. aluminum screens are as light as a feather. this takes some getting used to when printing though. you have to apply more pressure to help your screen stay put. lastly, wood wins in the sound department. it gets pretty loud when an aluminum is clanking around in the sink but i can live with that.
i bought my aluminum screens from pocono mountain screen supply. they send them fast and shipping is not too bad if you order a few screens for you or a group. you can also easily purchase them at chicago silk screen supply.
i started with a 158 mesh but have decided to go with 137. i found i was having difficulty when printing with thickened dyes and the looser 137 mesh seems to have helped the alginate get through my screen. my imagery does not seem any less sharp either so i will stick with 137 for now.
maybe consider buying an aluminum screen next time around.....you might be pleasantly surprised too.
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