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Raclete (squeegee): How to choose?
First of all, a squeegee is an accessory, in English, that can be used as a squeegee. screen printing processThis helps the paint to pass through to the substrate (through the mesh). The squeegee is used to transport the paint from one side to the other on top of the mesh. screen printing. This action, done correctly, will allow the right amount of paint to pass through.
⧗ reading time - 9 to 11 minutes ⧗
Squeegee material
The squeegee is made up of two elements, rubber and support.
The rubber is made of polyurethane and has good resistance to chemicals and abrasion. The support has the function of fixing the rubber, as well as having a functional profile for handling. This support can be made of wood or metal.
In terms of profile, in both materials you will find variations depending on the supplier/manufacturer.
Wood is the most common (and cheapest) material and generally does not allow the rubber to be replaced. The metal profile is more expensive and colder to the touch, less comfortable in this sense, but it does allow the rubber to be replaced with a series of screws.
The wooden support, although most do not allow the rubber to be replaced, is perfectly suitable for uses such as ours in the workshop.
The metal support (and not the rubber) is more durable, simply because you can replace the rubber when it wears out.
The squeegees can be bought as a finished product (support+rubber), but it is possible to buy the rubber by the meter if the support allows the rubber to be replaced, such as metal profiles, or if you want to build your own squeegee.
Type of Raclette - Rubber
Color and hardness
There are some important variations in squeegee rubber that you should be aware of. One of them you can detect by its color. Rubbers have a color system, which allows them to be divided in terms of hardness classification - soft, medium and hard. On the market we have hardness levels ranging from 50 (extra soft) to 90 (extra hard), always next to the acronym SH (shore/durometer), however for a use like ours, we can reduce the classification to between 60/65sh and 80/85sh:
60/65sh - Soft hardness;
70/75sh - Medium hardness;
80/85sh - Hardness.
Generally, each hardness corresponds to a color:
60/65sh - Red;
70sh - Yellow/Orange;
75sh - Green;
80/85sh - Blue.
In principle, most manufacturers use this color system (with some variations), however there may be changes, so you should always check the hardness level rather than choosing by color.
Soft, medium or hard?
What do these hardnesses mean in practice? In simple terms, we can separate the hardnesses as follows:
The softer it is - the greater the ink flow/deposit;
The harder it is - the less ink passes through/deposits.
For example, we can use soft/medium squeegees to print fabric, as this will allow more ink to pass through to the substrate, which in turn absorbs a lot of ink. If the substrate doesn't absorb ink, we can opt for a hard squeegee to avoid excess ink.
This choice can also be related to the number of threads (of the screen) that we use in a given project. If we use a very closed screen (120T), it means that we are working with a design with very fine details, so we can choose a hard squeegee, equal to or greater than 80sh, to avoid larger ink deposits.
However, in the screen printing process, the important thing is to always carry out tests and look for the best solutions for the project we are working on. But also the solutions that best suit our way of working. So you'll see that, although there are some theoretical teachings, in practice it's not always the same for everyone, but with experience these choices become natural.
At FICA Oficina Criativa we use two hardnesses - 70sh and 80sh, yellow/orange and blue respectively - but you can also see 65sh (red) and 75sh (green). We assume that 70sh is soft and 80sh is hard and we use each one depending on the characteristics of each project.
For more intensive use or machines, there are also rubbers with 2 or 3 types of hardness/color (e.g. 75sh / 90sh / 75sh - red / white / red), the center of which is extra hard in order to offer greater stability.
Are there other profiles?
Yes, there are different rubber profiles. More than we realize when we enter the world of screen printing.
When we refer to the profile of the rubber, we're talking about the tip or edge of the rubber, the end that will be in contact with the ink and mesh of the screen. The most common profile, and the one you'll find everywhere, is the square/straight profile. And we warn you, it will be enough for regular use, whether for paper, fabric or other less absorbent surfaces.
In addition to the square profile (P0), below are some of the standard profiles that are manufactured:
As indicated above, the square profile will be suitable for most of the users we are targeting, with regular use for graphic work printing and fabric printing. Some of these profiles are specifically designed for use on industrial machines. The P3 and P4 profiles can be used for printing when we need larger ink deposits, i.e. more ink passing through the screen to the substrate (in this case fabric). The P5 and P6 profiles are suitable for high-speed automatic machines and for high-definition printing on round surfaces.
These profiles can be seen in some manufacturers of rubber for screen printing, such as Serilor da Fimor and Seritec from Tecnoboth produced in Europe.
How to choose a squeegee?
A 70SH squeegee is considered to be of medium hardness and is the most versatile squeegee available. If you only buy one squeegee and want to use it for several purposes, you should buy a 70SH squeegee. If you're looking for squeegees for specific projects, you should use a higher hardness for very detailed work or substrates that don't absorb and a lower hardness if you want a larger paint deposit.
60SH - For substrates that absorb a lot of paint and, for example, dark backgrounds. Use of special paints, such as puff and glitter. Less detailed designs.
70SH - Standard roller. Very versatile, it works for most paper and fabric jobs.
80SH - Lower ink deposit, ideal for substrates that don't absorb ink. Very detailed drawings.
Council
Before buying new material, first try it out with your accessories, even if it's not theoretically the right one. If you only have a 70SH squeegee for a project with fine details on paper, you should increase the angle of the squeegee to create a smaller ink deposit. Conversely, if you have an 80SH squeegee for printing fabric, you should decrease the angle to create a larger ink deposit.
Other features
In addition to the type of hardness, the size of the print area must also be taken into account. We recommend that the length of the squeegee is greater than the width of the print area. At least 3 centimeters on each side.
When possible, always choose the printing orientation that results in the shortest width. The intention is to avoid handling very large rackets, which can be less comfortable to use. There will certainly be situations that you can easily see don't make sense, so you'll have to use common sense to evaluate.
What is a photolithograph?
How long does a raclette last?
It depends on various factors, such as use and maintenance. However, when you notice that the squeegee isn't completely straight or aligned, that's when it might start giving you some problems when printing.
You can check the alignment of the rubber simply by placing the squeegee with the end of the rubber on a flat surface and checking that the entire length of the rubber is in contact with the surface. It doesn't mean that it stops working, but it can create some barriers. Softer rubbers, due to the pressure exerted and consequent curvature, can minimize problems, but harder rubbers will be more complicated. As the entire length of the squeegee doesn't touch the screen evenly, it will slide over the paint and leave an uneven deposit of paint.
It is also possible to carry out intensive maintenance, such as polishing or sanding the rubber, using special tools that rubber manufacturers also have.
Care to be taken
Except where mentioned, most rubbers are suitable for all types of paint (water-based, plastisol, etc.). They are also resistant to chemicals and abrasion, but should be used with caution. Generally, with water-based paints, a sponge and running water will suffice. Washing with a regular detergent is advisable when necessary. The important thing is that the paint is removed immediately after use.
It should be stored upright in a dry environment at room temperature. After use, it should be stored for 1 to 2 days until further use.
Is there another use for the squeegee?
Some people use the squeegee to emulsifying screen printingHowever, we don't advocate its use. The emulsion must be placed evenly on the mesh, and from our own experience, the best result is obtained with a specific accessory, the scrape. This is because, due to its composition - profile and caps - it has its own characteristics for applying the emulsion. The profile acts as a tank and the lids, with specific angles, allow it to be pulled over and adjusted to the tension of the mesh, so that the emulsion is applied in the right quantity and evenly. Some scrapers, like the ones we sell, have two types of profile, one thinner and the other thicker, to apply the emulsion evenly at different thicknesses.
Conclusion
The squeegee is an essential part of screen printing, playing a central role in the printing process by facilitating the precise transfer of ink to the substrate through the mesh.
Composed of rubber and backing, the choice of rubber hardness (color) influences the amount of ink transferred.
This article provides guidance on choice and maintenance, but we always stress the importance of carrying out practical tests.
Made up of two elements - rubber and support - the squeegee offers versatility when used to transport the ink from one side of the screen to the other. The support, which can be made of wood or metal, plays the role of fixing the squeegee and providing a functional profile for handling. Although the wooden support is common due to its affordable cost, the metal support offers the advantage of allowing the rubber to be replaced, while also providing greater durability.
The crucial feature of the squeegee is the rubber, made from polyurethane, which comes in different hardness levels and colors. The choice of rubber hardness is decisive for the type of project, varying between soft, medium and hard. These variations directly influence the amount of ink transferred to the substrate. The color of the rubber serves as a visual indicator of its hardness and can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, although most agree.
Therefore, the choice of squeegee hardness and color is important, with soft squeegees being more suitable for projects that require a greater flow of paint, while hard squeegees are preferable to avoid excesses, especially on substrates that don't absorb paint well.
In this article we also explore different rubber profiles and their relevance to ink application. Different standard profiles are presented, such as square/straight, among others, each suited to different printing needs.
While the square profile is widely used in regular situations, the P3 and P4 profiles are suitable for projects that require a larger ink deposit, and the P5 and P6 are intended for high-speed automatic machines and for high-definition printing on round surfaces.
In conclusion, we highlight the 70SH squeegee as a versatile and standard option, while the 80SH is ideal for substrates that don't absorb paint well and very detailed projects.
As far as maintenance is concerned, it should be stored upright in a dry environment at room temperature. It is advisable that after use, it should be kept for 1 to 2 days, until further use, to re-establish its original shape.
The important thing is to always carry out tests and look for the best solutions for the project you're working on. This way you'll see that, although there are some theoretical teachings, in practice it's not always the same for everyone, but with experience these choices become natural.
Racletes
We sell squeegees, with a wooden base, in two different hardnesses, 70SH and 80SH. The cost of the squeegee varies depending on the size and hardness.
Screen printing
At FICA Oficina Criativa, in addition to selling screen printing canvases, we also offer an exhibition/engraving service. Screen prices vary according to size and number of threads