Mesh Count Reference
Every ink type and detail level covered by the Mesh Count Selector, the Squeegee Guide, and the Ink Coverage Calculator, laid out together in one chart — recommended mesh count, the squeegee it pairs with, and typical ink deposit for a 10×10in print.
Mesh, squeegee, and ink deposit by ink type and detail level
| Ink type | Detail | Mesh range | Recommended | Ink deposit (10×10in, 1 print) | Squeegee durometer | Edge | Attack angle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plastisol | Bold | 86–110 | 110 | 9.35g | 60–70 | sharp | 45–75° |
| Plastisol | Standard | 110–156 | 156 | 9.35g | 60–70 | sharp | 45–75° |
| Plastisol | Fine | 196–305 | 230 | 9.35g | 75–90 | sharp | 45–60° |
| Water-based | Bold | 110–156 | 156 | 5.42g | 70–80 | sharp | 45–65° |
| Water-based | Standard | 156–200 | 180 | 5.42g | 70–80 | sharp | 45–65° |
| Water-based | Fine | 200–305 | 260 | 5.42g | 75–90 | sharp | 45–60° |
| Discharge | Bold | 110–156 | 156 | 5.42g | 70–80 | sharp | 45–65° |
| Discharge | Standard | 156–200 | 180 | 5.42g | 70–80 | sharp | 45–65° |
| Discharge | Fine | 200–305 | 260 | 5.42g | 75–90 | sharp | 45–60° |
| Puff | Bold | 60–86 | 86 | — | 50–60 | round | 60–75° |
| Puff | Standard | 60–110 | 86 | — | 50–60 | round | 60–75° |
| Puff | Fine | 86–110 | 110 | — | 50–60 | round | 60–75° |
| Glitter | Bold | 60–86 | 69 | — | 50–60 | round | 60–75° |
| Glitter | Standard | 60–86 | 69 | — | 50–60 | round | 60–75° |
| Glitter | Fine | 60–86 | 69 | — | 50–60 | round | 60–75° |
| Foil | Bold | 86–110 | 110 | — | 60–70 | sharp | 45–75° |
| Foil | Standard | 110–156 | 110 | — | 60–70 | sharp | 45–75° |
| Foil | Fine | 156–200 | 156 | — | 60–70 | sharp | 45–75° |
Ink deposit is blank for puff, glitter, and foil — the ink coverage calculator's density model doesn't cover those chemistries, since deposit varies too much by specific product to estimate the same way.
Reading the mesh and squeegee chart
Two patterns hold across every row. First, mesh count and squeegee durometer move together: whatever pushes toward a tighter mesh (finer detail, thinner ink) also pushes toward a firmer, sharper blade at a flatter angle, because both are aimed at shearing a thinner, more controlled deposit. Whatever pushes toward a more open mesh (thick paste, large particulates) pushes toward a softer, rounder blade at a steeper angle, aimed at the opposite goal of maximum volume.
Second, ink deposit and ink type move together independently of detail level: plastisol's 10×10in deposit is roughly 9.35 grams regardless of whether the job is bold or fine detail, because deposit thickness in this model is a property of the ink chemistry, not the artwork. Detail level changes which mesh count you use to print that ink, but it doesn’t change how much of the ink a given print size uses once you’re on a mesh count suited to the job.
Exposure scaling reference
Exposure time doesn’t depend on mesh count directly — it scales with lamp distance and wattage, following the inverse-square law. This table shows how a 60-second baseline at 24 inches and 1000W scales across common lamp distances and wattages, computed by the same Emulsion Exposure Calculator logic.
| Distance | 500W | 750W | 1000W | 1200W |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18in | 67.5s | 45s | 33.75s | 28.13s |
| 24in | 120s | 80s | 60s | 50s |
| 30in | 187.5s | 125s | 93.75s | 78.13s |
| 36in | 270s | 180s | 135s | 112.5s |
This baseline is illustrative, not universal — your own correct exposure time depends on your emulsion, coating thickness, and a step-wedge test on your own screen. Once you know your real baseline, use the calculator directly to scale it to your actual lamp distance and wattage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do the numbers on this page come from?
Every mesh range, squeegee pairing, and ink deposit figure on this page is computed by calling the same selectMeshCount(), recommendSqueegee(), and calcInkCoverage() functions behind the mesh count selector, squeegee guide, and ink coverage calculator — nothing here is a separately maintained table, so it can't drift out of sync with those tools.
Why is ink deposit blank for puff, glitter, and foil?
The ink coverage calculator's deposit-and-density model only covers plastisol, water-based, and discharge ink. Puff, glitter, and foil deposits vary too much by specific additive and product to estimate the same way, so this reference leaves that column blank for those three rather than showing a number that isn't backed by the calculator.
Why doesn't the exposure table change with mesh count?
Exposure time in this system depends on lamp distance and wattage, following the inverse-square law — it doesn't take mesh count as an input. In practice, a coarser mesh generally needs a heavier emulsion coat to bridge its wider gaps, and a heavier coat needs more light energy to harden fully, which shifts your baseline exposure — but that's a separate effect from the distance-and-wattage scaling shown here, not something this calculator models. If you regularly switch between very different mesh counts, it's worth keeping a separate step-wedge baseline for each.
Can I use this instead of testing on my own setup?
No — every figure here is a commonly cited starting point, not a guarantee for your specific ink brand, screen tension, squeegee, or lamp. Pull a test print or a step-wedge exposure test before committing a full job to a number you haven't verified on your own equipment.
Every figure on this page is a commonly cited starting point for these ink chemistries and setups, not a physical guarantee for your specific brand of ink, screen, or lamp. Always confirm on scrap fabric or with a step-wedge test before committing a full run.
Use it with
- Mesh Count Selector — get a single recommendation for your exact ink type and detail level, one job at a time.
- Squeegee Guide — the same durometer, edge, and angle logic behind the squeegee column above, with your own mesh count and ink type as inputs.
- Ink Coverage Calculator— work out ink needs for your own print size and quantity, instead of the fixed 10×10in reference print used above.
- Emulsion Exposure Calculator — scale your own known baseline exposure to your actual lamp distance and wattage.
- Mesh Count by Ink and Detail — the guide version of the chart above, walking through eight real combinations one at a time.