Mesh selection helper (T/cm)
Pick your substrate, artwork and ink type: get a sensible mesh recommendation + an alternative (opacity vs detail).
Result
Choose options above to see a recommendation.
Tip: if you hesitate between two meshes, pick the lower one for opacity/deposit, the higher one for detail.
Rule #1 (most important)
- Thicker / heavier inks (white, fluo, metallic, thick varnish, glitter) → lower mesh → more deposit, better opacity.
- Finer artwork (small text, thin lines, halftones, CMYK) → higher mesh → more definition, less deposit.
Quick references by ink type (starting points)
| Ink type | Safe mesh | When to go lower | When to go higher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastisol (textile) | 55T–77T | White / underbase / big solids → 43T–55T | Details / light halftones → 90T |
| Water-based (textile) | 77T–90T | Need opacity → 55T–77T | Fine details / halftones → 90T–120T |
| Discharge | 77T–90T | Punchier solids → 62T–77T | Details / halftones → 90T–120T |
| UV (smooth substrates) | 120T–140T | Full solids / UV varnish → 90T–120T | CMYK / very fine → 150T–180T |
| Solvent / eco-solvent | 90T–120T | Solids + opacity → 77T–90T | Fine details / halftones → 120T–140T |
| Fluo | 43T–62T | Max “pop” → 32T–43T | Some detail → 62T–77T |
| Metallic | 32T–55T | Very opaque / large pigments → 24T–43T | Fine metallic → 55T–62T |
| Glitter | 10T–24T | — | — |
| Varnish / thick coating | 43T–77T | Thick coat / texture → 32T–55T | Thin / smooth coat → 90T–120T |
Adjust based on the substrate
- Textile (absorbent + fibers): often needs deposit (solids 55T–77T, whites 43T–55T, details 90T).
- Uncoated paper: go a bit lower (e.g. 90T–120T) to keep deposit.
- Coated / smooth paper: go higher (e.g. 120T–150T) for clean definition.
- Smooth non-absorbent (PVC, vinyl, metal, glass): solids 90T–120T, details 120T–150T (up to 180T for very fine).
- Textured substrates: need deposit to “fill” → go lower (e.g. 77T instead of 120T).
Adjust based on the artwork
- Solid fills: deposit + opacity → 43T–77T depending on ink.
- Fine text / lines: definition → 90T–140T depending on substrate/ink.
- Halftones / CMYK: clean dots → 120T–180T (often 120T–150T).
Common real-world examples
- Black tee, opaque white logo → 43T–55T.
- Tee, 2 colors, medium lines + solids → 55T–77T.
- Tote bag, water-based color, clean look → 77T–90T.
- Coated paper poster, fine solids + small text (UV) → 120T–140T.
- Vinyl stickers, clean details (solvent) → 120T.
- Fluo that must “pop” → 43T–55T.
When unsure: tune the stencil (EOM)
Two screens with the “same mesh” can deposit very differently depending on:
- emulsion thickness / EOM,
- thread type (standard vs thin-thread / HD),
- screen tension,
- squeegee (durometer/angle) and off-contact.
If definition is good but opacity is low, you can sometimes keep the mesh and slightly increase deposit via stencil, rather than dropping mesh too aggressively.