How to Build High Density Printing Thickness Faster? | Milando 105FM-3

In high density screen printing, achieving the desired thickness with fewer printing passes is an important factor in improving production efficiency.

However, some screen printing factories face common challenges:

• Thickness builds up too slowly.

• Too many printing passes are required.

• The printed surface is not smooth enough.

• The final print lacks the desired flexibility or three-dimensional effect.

Recently, one of our customers asked an interesting question:

"Why does another high density printing paste seem to build thickness faster than yours?"

This question led us to examine not only our product formulation but also the printing process itself.

At Milando, we believe that achieving a good high density printing effect depends on both the performance of the printing paste and the printing conditions.

In this article, we will explain four important factors that influence thickness build-up and introduce our optimized 105FM-3 Clear Water-Based High Density Printing Paste.

1. Screen Off-Contact Distance: An Important Factor in Thickness Build-Up

Screen off-contact distance refers to the gap between the screen and the fabric before printing.

This distance can significantly affect the amount of high density paste transferred to the fabric.

If the screen is positioned too close to the fabric, it may become difficult to deposit a sufficiently thick layer of paste during each printing cycle.

However, excessive off-contact distance may also cause printing problems, such as pattern distortion or unstable ink transfer.

Our recommendation:

• Maintain appropriate screen tension.

• Adjust the off-contact distance according to the printing thickness.

• Increase the screen height gradually when necessary as the printed layers become thicker.

• Avoid excessive off-contact distance that may affect edge definition.

A properly adjusted screen can help improve paste deposition and achieve a more consistent high density printing effect.

2. Squeegee Technique: More Material Deposition with the Right Method

The printing technique used by the operator can make a noticeable difference in the final thickness.

For example, using three squeegee strokes during one printing cycle may transfer more paste than using only one stroke, depending on the screen and printing conditions.

However, more strokes do not always guarantee a better result.

Excessive squeegee pressure or repeated strokes may reduce print definition or affect the stability of the deposited layer.

Our recommendation:

Focus on controlling:

• The number of squeegee strokes

• Squeegee pressure

• Printing angle

• Printing speed

• Consistent printing technique

An experienced screen printer can often achieve the required thickness more efficiently by optimizing these factors.

The goal is not simply to print more times, but to deposit the right amount of paste during each printing cycle.

3. Squeegee Material: Does It Affect High Density Printing?

Yes. The type of squeegee can influence how much printing paste is transferred through the screen.

Different squeegee materials, edge profiles and hardness levels may produce different printing results.

In some of our practical printing experiences, certain squeegees used for water-based screen printing have produced better paste deposition than the oil-resistant squeegees being compared.

However, this result depends on the hardness, edge condition, pressure and other printing parameters.

Our recommendation:

When testing a high density printing paste, compare different squeegee types under the same printing conditions.

Sometimes, optimizing the squeegee can improve thickness build-up without changing the printing paste formulation.

4. Screen Mesh and Printing Parameters

Besides screen height and squeegee technique, several other factors influence thickness build-up.

Screen Mesh Count

A lower mesh count generally allows more paste to pass through the screen, making it useful for building thicker printed layers.

However, mesh selection should also consider pattern details and printing requirements.

Stencil Thickness

The thickness of the stencil can influence the amount of paste deposited during printing.

For certain high density printing applications, using a thicker stencil may help achieve the required thickness with fewer printing cycles.

Printing Pressure and Speed

Excessive pressure may reduce the amount of paste left on the fabric, while inappropriate printing speed can affect transfer consistency.

Intermediate Drying

Proper flash drying between layers is also important.

Each printed layer should be sufficiently stabilized before the next layer is applied, according to the product's recommended process.

Insufficient drying or excessive drying may affect the final printing result.

The key is to find the right balance between paste formulation, screen preparation and printing technique.

5. Milando 105FM-3 Clear High Density Printing Paste: Improving Thickness Build-Up

Based on customer feedback and our internal development work, we have continued optimizing our water-based high density printing paste, 105FM-3 Clear.

This product is designed for direct high density screen printing applications, particularly on cotton and suitable knitted fabrics.

Our development goal is simple:

Build thickness more efficiently while maintaining the essential performance of the printed design.

During our internal comparative testing, we evaluated the original and optimized formulations under the same printing conditions.

The optimized formulation demonstrated improved thickness build-up, allowing more thickness to be deposited with the same number of printing passes.

At the same time, we focused on maintaining the product characteristics valued by our customers:

• Good Thickness Build-Up: Helps achieve raised, three-dimensional printing effects efficiently.

• Comfortable Hand Feel: Designed to maintain a pleasant feel after printing and curing.

• Good Flexibility: Suitable for textile applications requiring flexibility.

• Stable Surface Appearance: Helps produce a smooth and consistent high density finish.

• Water-Based Formulation: Designed for textile screen printing applications.

By improving thickness build-up, our aim is to help customers achieve their target thickness more efficiently without compromising the required printing performance.

Actual results may vary depending on screen preparation, fabric type, printing equipment, drying conditions and operator technique.

6. How to Compare Two High Density Printing Pastes Correctly

If you want to determine which high density printing paste builds thickness more efficiently, we recommend comparing the products under controlled conditions.

This comparison helps identify whether differences in thickness result from the product formulation or the printing process.

It is also important to evaluate flexibility, surface smoothness, adhesion and washing resistance rather than focusing on thickness alone.

Conclusion: Better Thickness Starts with the Right Paste and Printing Process

Building high density printing thickness faster is not simply about choosing a thicker paste.

Screen off-contact distance, squeegee selection, printing technique, mesh count and stencil thickness all influence the final result.

At Milando, we continue improving our water-based high density printing materials based on practical customer feedback and production experience.

Our 105FM-3 Clear High Density Printing Paste is developed to help textile printers achieve efficient thickness build-up, good flexibility and stable printing performance.

Looking for a high density printing paste for your next textile printing project?

Contact Milando to learn more about 105FM-3 Clear, request technical information or arrange a sample test.

Milando — More Possibilities for Textile Printing.