If your prints have ragged edges, sawtooth lines, or you're losing fine detail, the culprit is usually one of two things: stencil exposure or screen tension. Here's how to tell them apart.
Exposure problems:
- Underexposed: stencil breaks down in the wash-out, detail falls apart, emulsion feels slimy. Fix: increase exposure time / do a step-wedge test to find your real exposure.
- Overexposed: fine detail closes up, tiny text and thin lines won't wash out at all. Fix: reduce exposure.
- Do a step-wedge / exposure calculator test once and you'll stop guessing forever.
Tension problems:
- Low tension = the mesh moves during the stroke, so edges smear and registration drifts between colors. It also forces you to flood/print harder, which blurs detail.
- Properly tensioned mesh snaps off the garment cleanly and holds registration.
- Check with a tension meter if you have one; if not, a drum-tight screen that pings when you tap it beats a soft one.
Quick way to isolate it: if the whole print is soft and edges smear, suspect tension and off-contact. If specific fine details are gone but bold areas are crisp, suspect exposure. Post a close-up photo of the misprint on the thread and folks here can usually call it.