ENG
MINI GUIDE

Squeegee Angle and Pressure
Control

🎯 The tilt and downward force applied to the squeegee dictate the ink hydrodynamic dynamics through the screen matrix. An incorrect angle alters film thickness and causes uncontrolled dot gain, while excessive pressure deflects the blade and distorts the mesh. This guide provides technical parameters to establish a precise, stable, and repeatable printing process.

KEY PARAMETERS

Dynamic Control Variables
Parameter Primary Effect Operational Tip
Squeegee Angle Controls blade height and ink shear. Set between 70°–75° for fine lines and CMYK; 65° for underbases.
Downward Pressure Ensures substrate contact without blade flex. Apply minimum effective pressure for clean matrix snap-off.
Blade Hardness (Shore A) Resists mechanical deformation under load. Select 75/90/75 ShA for half-tones/lines; 65–70 ShA for high deposits.
Print Speed Dwell time of ink inside mesh openings. Maintain a uniform speed between 0.3 and 0.5 m/s to prevent color shifts.

3 GOOD HABITS

1

Check the actual angle using a protractor on the printhead before starting the run.

2

Clean and rotate the blade regularly to prevent permanent polyurethane distortion.

3

Log operating data (angle, pneumatic pressure, Shore hardness) on the job sheet.

OPERATIONAL CHECKLIST

Essential Process Controls
Check Frequency Responsible Action if non-compliant
Attack angle check Every setup Print Operator Adjust mechanical holder to target value ($70^\circ \pm 2^\circ$).
Minimum pressure calibration Every setup Print Operator Increase in 0.2 bar increments until clean mesh shearing is achieved.
10x blade edge inspection Every 500 strokes Print Operator Resharpen with 180-240 grit or replace rounded blades.
Deposit thickness test Batch start QA Technician Adjust attack angle if thickness varies by more than $\pm 10\%$.

BASIC INDICATORS

Performance Targets
Indicator Target
Standard Print Angle 70° – 75° (Maximum sharpness)
Recommended Profile & Hardness 90° Square edge, Triple Durometer 75/90/75 Shore A
Blade Flexing Tolerance < 2 mm lateral deflection under load
Blade Edge Service Life Sharpening recommended every 20–30 operating hours

USEFUL TIPS

Best Practices
Tip Benefit
Never compensate for low opacity by solely increasing pressure. Prevents matrix deformation, dot gain crushing, and premature wear.
Maintain a rigid blade angle throughout the entire stroke. Ensures uniform optical density from head to tail of the print.
Allow polyurethane blades to rest for 24 hours post-cleaning. Enables solvent evaporation and stress relaxation.
Record minimum pneumatic pressure on the job sheet. Improves job repeatability and speeds up setup time.

💡 REMEMBER

"A stable angle and controlled pressure make every print more precise and repeatable."

👉 Discover the BASIC – ADVANCED – PROFESSIONAL Guides from the Screen Printing Master Map.

NOTES

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