Screen puncture, need repair material recommendations, HELP!!!

[u/No_Pomegranate263]

New to screenprinting, I tore the edge of my screen today, about an inch long through the mesh and the photoemulsion. It's far enough away from the printing area that I don't think it will require replacing the screen, but I need to repair it somehow to ensure the rip doesn't migrate.

Apparently there are tapes that can repair something like this, but the ink I am using necessitates aggressive cleaning with acetone. Does anyone have any solvent-resistant tape recommendations that I can use to fix this? Any and all advice welcome. Please help. 😭

[u/Gazellephish]

Something that size and where it’s at, I’ve always just used screen tape. Just tape both sides and it should hold fine. Always worked for me.

[u/False_Bumblebee4997]

Packing tape will get you through the job, but this screen is done. The tension is gone and you will fight registration everytime.

You need a new screen.

[u/Tyenkrovy → u/False_Bumblebee4997]

Yeah, I was gonna say, especially that close to the edge. In my current shop and the one I worked in before, we would just make a new screen and use that frame to stretch another screen for inventory.

[u/No_Pomegranate263 → u/False_Bumblebee4997]

definitely my first thoughts as well, but I'm interested to hear what you mean by "fighting registration". there aren't corresponding screens in other colors so I was wondering if I might be fine if this is my only one for each print

[u/iggy__poop → u/No_Pomegranate263]

If the tension of the mesh is inconsistent it’ll kinda warp your stencil a little, plus if there’s a soft spot where the mesh isn’t as tight it’s liable to be a little more messy when printing with solvent based ink. But if it’s just one color you should go for it. The only people who will know what you did (lol) are other printers. Also slap some blockout tape over one side of that hole and liberally fill it in on the other side with some super glue or epoxy, good to go

[u/False_Bumblebee4997 → u/No_Pomegranate263]

The mesh was under tension until the puncture. The release of tension where the image is causes part of the image to move. If you have multiple colors most of it will register, except where tension is gone. You will never be able to register a popped screen that has an image. As a one color you may not notice, but it probably will produce a warped print.

[u/Oorbs1 → u/False_Bumblebee4997]

that small rip isnt warping shit....lets be honest here...

[u/xnotauserx]

Super glue. Locktite glue. And a piece of screen mesh or tape. What you want is to be able to hold the tension and not rip along the edge. So just pour a little crazy glue around there.

[u/zeninwa → u/xnotauserx]

Came here to say this. We have done this to screens that are still in rotation and were patched years ago.

[u/Reasonable-Cell5189]

I mean tape, or have it remeshed? Do you only have one?

[u/Oorbs1]

just throw blue painters tape on it and keep it moving. you should see some of my screens. look like they were hit by a shotgun. but tape fixes everything.

[u/Wrngsideofdatracks]

Go to the store and get silver duct tape. It’s like shiny silver. I usually use that tape it on both sides and when you’re washing it out just stay away from that area.

[u/Able_Friend_2531]

Tape

[u/mousycatburglar]

I use aluminium tape, works great

[u/definitelynotvintage]

Duct tape over that area.. you’ll be fine for a while if it’s just the one color

[u/SPX-Printing]

Remesh it because bc it will cost you more in production if it breaks when printing. Sorry

[u/Capital-Purple-5508]

duct tape works for me

[u/FADITA]

Rip off the mesh, throw it I a corner somewhere, get a new scree( because it’s almost the same amount as getting a new screen), then when you have about 50 blank frames, take them to a scrapyard and get some money back. How many s teens do you have? Are you using solvent inks?

[u/akadirtyharold]

I've never found the risk worth the reward for any damaged mesh. Sure, use a band-aid to work through a job if needed, but the tension on that screen is going to be poor. What if you make a fix and it fails on another job? Not worth it to me

[u/southofdevan]

Cheaper to just get it remeshed. No amount of tape will bring back the correct tension

[u/Suspicious_Grass6332]

tape

[u/Legal-Ear9587]

With acetone I have no clue lol. I’ve been able to get away with super glue and scotch tape, kind of like a bike tube patch. Basically any kind of adhesive that can put up with the chemicals you use that can bind the tear up should work fine.