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Printing Techniques

Chapter 12

Get the Best Results Every Time

Consistent technique leads to higher quality prints

Using the right technique helps you achieve vibrant, consistent prints with clean detail and proper ink coverage. While every shop develops their own style, understanding the fundamentals will help you get the best results and reduce common printing issues.

Step-by-step printing techniques

Six printing steps: prepare your press, load ink on screen, flood stroke, print stroke, check print quality and cure properly.

1. Prepare your press

Make sure your press is properly set up, screens are clean and aligned, and off contact is correct. Use a test print to confirm registration before running your full job.

2. Load ink on screen

Apply a consistent bead of ink across the top of the image area. Use the correct amount of ink for your design, mesh count and ink type.

3. Flood stroke

Use a light to moderate pressure to flood the screen with ink. This fills the mesh with ink and helps prevent the ink from drying in the screen during production.

4. Print stroke

Use steady, even pressure and a smooth stroke. Maintain a 60°–75° squeegee angle measured from the screen surface. Adjust speed for your ink and design.

5. Check print quality

Inspect your prints regularly for proper coverage, color, registration and print consistency. Make any adjustments to pressure, angle, speed or off contact as needed.

6. Cure properly

Follow the manufacturer’s cure recommendations for time and temperature. Proper curing ensures durability, washability and the best performance from your inks.

Key Tips

  • Use the correct squeegee durometer for your ink and design.
  • Maintain consistent pressure, angle and speed.
  • Use the proper amount of ink.
  • Keep screens flooded between prints.
  • Check prints regularly and make adjustments as needed.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s curing instructions.

Pro Tip

Keep a sample print at the press for reference. This helps you maintain consistent color, coverage and registration throughout the run, especially when printing repeat orders.

Roller squeegee technique

Smooth Prints with Less Fibrillation

Improve print quality on soft garments

A roller squeegee can help smooth garment fibers, reduce fibrillation and create a cleaner, more professional print surface. This technique is commonly used after the underbase (and flash) or when printing on soft fabrics such as 100% cotton, cotton blends and fleece.

Handheld roller squeegee with a wooden handle and rounded red roller on a screen.

What is a roller squeegee?

A roller squeegee uses a rounded, rolling edge instead of a traditional sharp squeegee blade. It lightly glides over the garment surface, helping to smooth the fibers without forcing additional ink through the mesh.

Close-up comparison of a standard squeegee print with visible fibers and a smoother roller squeegee print.

Standard Squeegee (close-up) / Roller Squeegee (close-up)

When to use a roller squeegee

  • After printing and flashing an underbase to smooth raised fibers.
  • When printing on soft garments such as 100% cotton, cotton blends or fleece.
  • For large solid areas where a smoother, more even appearance is desired.
  • When you want to reduce fibrillation and improve the appearance of the top color.

Step-by-step: roller squeegee technique

Four roller technique steps: print and flash underbase, use light pressure, smooth the fibers and print top color.

1. Print and flash underbase

Print your underbase using a standard squeegee. Flash cure the underbase to dry the ink and raise the garment fibers.

2. Use light pressure

Using a roller squeegee, apply light, even pressure to gently roll over the garment surface. Do not force ink through the screen.

3. Smooth the fibers

Roll slowly and evenly across the design area. This helps smooth the raised fibers and create a cleaner surface for the next color.

4. Print top color

Print your top color using a standard squeegee with the correct angle, pressure and speed. You will get a smoother, cleaner print with less fibrillation.

Additional Tips

  • Use a firm roller. A medium-firm roller works best for most applications.
  • Apply light pressure. The goal is to smooth fibers, not force additional ink.
  • Keep a clean roller. Clean between colors to prevent contamination.
  • Check your mesh. Make sure your screen tension is correct.
  • Use with underbase. Most effective after an underbase and flash.
  • Test first. Always test on your garment and ink combination.

Pro Tip

The roller squeegee technique helps reduce fibrillation, especially on 100% cotton garments, and creates a smoother surface for the top colors. This results in brighter colors, cleaner edges and a more professional finish.

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