How to Save Money When Buying High-elastic wire mesh

At W.S. Tyler, we pride ourselves on the quality and versatility of our stainless steel woven wire mesh. As a company that has been weaving and working with stainless steel wire for over 50 years, we have seen an endless amount of uses and industries use our mesh.

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Some of those uses are more current, or new, and some of those industries have been around forever.

One of those industries that have been around for a long time the screen printing industry. There are many kinds of media that can be used for the screen printing industry, but stainless steel mesh has proven to be one of the most efficient and cost effective options.

In this article, we are going to dive into what makes stainless steel wire mesh such a great solution for the screen printing world in terms of benefits, cost and finding the best fit for your needs.

We are also going to cover the situations where stainless steel mesh may not be the right fit for your screen printing needs.

What Is Screen Printing?

Screen printing is a printing technique that uses mesh to transfer ink onto a substrate. A blade or squeegee is moved across the screen to fill the openings in the mesh with ink/paste. A stencil will block parts of the openings in the mesh to create a design on the surface being printed on.

When screen printing originated, back in the ’s, silk screens were used to transfer the designs. The problem with using silk as a screening media is that over time, it doesn’t hold up because it will swell up and tear.

Today, the most common media for screen printing are polyester, nylon, and stainless steel.

At W.S. Tyler, we supply stainless steel woven wire mesh as screening media for this industry.

Benefits of Stainless Steel Wire for Screen Printing

When it comes to screen printing there are quite a few reasons why stainless steel wire mesh is ideal.

Those benefits are:

- Tension
- Stability and Durability
- Heating Capabilities
- Cost Savings
- Calendaring for precise printing

Tension

Tension is very important to the screen printing industry. The media serving as the screen is stretched tightly before the squeegee with ink is run over the screen.

Stainless steel has less than 1% elongation, while other materials, like nylon or polyester, have more than 5%.

If you were to try to stretch nylon or other synthetic materials at certain tension levels, it will create rectangular openings which could tear and cause inconsistencies in your printing. This means that stainless steel woven wire is able to be tensioned, or stretched, at very high rates without changing the shape of each individual opening.

Stability and Durability

Stainless steel wires are also more stable than polyester or nylon.

Stainless steel woven wire can withstand hard conditions, even at the smaller opening sizes and thinner wire diameters.

With nylon or polyester, there is a limit to how fine or thin, you can get your individual threads to be because they cannot withstand the tension and stretch that is needed.

Stainless steel woven wire can get down to a very small diameter of each wire and still be able to be stretched and tensioned without suffering any alterations to the mesh itself or your process.

Cost Savings

There are two main ways we have seen stainless steel wire mesh reduce cost in this industry.

The first is the available options with wire mesh in terms of weaves. These different patterns and weaves can 

allow for more ink to be deposited in one pass, eliminating the need for multiple passes for each print.

Each time a pass is needed, you risk not having it line up precisely with the last pass and are also spending more in time and ink/paste.

The second cost saving benefit to stainless steel wire is if you are using very expensive ink or pastes.

The wire diameter is critical to reducing costs in terms of paste or ink needed. Stainless steel wire mesh is able to use a very limited amount of paste to transfer.

Stainless steel can be made with very thin individual wires that still offer a very high connectivity.

When the amount of paste needed can be reduced to a such an exact amount, this can save companies using expensive paste, like silver in the solar industry, significant money.

Calendaring for Accuracy

One of the biggest challenges with the screen printing process is movement within the screen.

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from JINBIAO.

We commonly get asked to explain the difference between the mesh options that we offer. We also are asked to define the terms, such as woven mesh, wire cloth, wire mesh etc. More commonly in recent times we are asked about hardware cloth. The aim of this article is to answer any questions that you may have.

Let’s get into it…

Hardware cloth is a type of mesh material made from metal wire that is used for a variety of applications, including construction, fencing, and home repair. It typically consists of a series of interwoven metal wires that form a grid pattern. The wire used in hardware cloth is often made from galvanised steel, which provides a measure of rust resistance and durability. Hardware cloth is used for a wide range of purposes, including building screens, reinforcement for concrete, and as a barrier for animal protection. It can also be used for filtering, protection and support in industrial settings.

Which hardware cloth you should choose will depend on the specific application or project you are using it for. Here are a few things to consider when choosing the woven mesh for you:

• Mesh size: The mesh size refers to the size of the openings in the wire mesh. Smaller mesh sizes are better for keeping small animals out, while larger mesh sizes are better for larger animals or debris.

• Gauge: The gauge refers to the thickness of the wire. A lower gauge number means a thicker wire, which will be stronger and more durable.

• Material: Woven wire mesh is available in several materials including galvanised steel, stainless steel and aluminium. Galvanised steel is the most common and affordable, while stainless steel is more corrosion resistant and aluminium is lightweight.

• Rust resistance: If the wire cloth will be exposed to the elements, you may want to choose a material that is rust-resistant.

Yes, hardware cloth can be used to keep rats out. Hardware cloth with small enough mesh can prevent rats from entering an area because they are unable to squeeze through the openings. The wire mesh should have openings that are 1/4 inch or smaller to effectively keep rats out. When using hardware cloth to exclude rats, it is important to make sure that all potential entry points are sealed and covered with the mesh, including gaps around pipes and wires. The mesh should be securely attached to the surrounding surface to prevent rats from gnawing their way through it. Additionally, it is a good idea to check the mesh regularly for signs of damage or wear and to repair or replace it as needed.

We offer stainless steel hardware cloth with 1mm and 2mm holes for this very purpose. Our rodent mesh is well known to be long lasting and great value for money. 

When choosing hardware cloth for a chicken coop, it is important to consider the size of the mesh and the gauge of the wire. Here are some guidelines to help you choose the right hardware cloth:

1. Mesh size: The mesh size should be small enough to keep chickens in and predators out. A mesh size of 1/2 inch or smaller is typically recommended.

2. Gauge of wire: The gauge of the wire should be sturdy enough to withstand the weight of chickens and potential predators. A wire gauge of 19 or heavier is recommended.

3. Rust resistance: Chickens can be hard on their coops, so it is important to choose hardware cloth that is rust resistant. Galvanised hardware cloth is a good option, as it is resistant to rust and corrosion.

4. Durability: The hardware cloth should be made from sturdy, high-quality materials to ensure that it lasts a long time.

It’s also a good idea to choose hardware cloth that is easy to cut and manipulate, so that you can easily customise it to fit your coop’s specific needs. With these considerations in mind, you should be able to choose hardware cloth that is perfect for your chicken coop.

The lifespan of wire mesh will depend on several factors, including the material it is made from, the gauge of the wire, and the environment it is exposed to.

Galvanised steel hardware cloth is one of the most common types of mesh, and it is coated with a layer of zinc to help prevent rust and corrosion. If it is used in a protected area, it can last for several years or even a decade or more. However, if it is used in an area with high humidity or exposure to saltwater, it may not last as long as it would in a dryer environment.

Stainless steel is more corrosion resistant than galvanised steel and can last much longer, up to 30 years or more, especially if it is used in an area where it is exposed to harsh weather conditions.

Aluminium mesh is another option, it is lightweight and resistant to rust and corrosion, and can last for a long time, up to 20-25 years in a marine environment.

Ultimately, the lifespan of your mesh will depend on the specific conditions it is exposed to, so it’s always good to check in with the manufacturer before purchase if you require any advice.

Cleaning hardware cloth can be done in several ways, depending on the type of debris or buildup on the mesh. Here are a few methods:

For light debris and dust, use a soft-bristled brush or a dry cloth to sweep or wipe the mesh clean.

For dirt and grime, use a solution of mild detergent and water to scrub the mesh with a stiff-bristled brush or a cloth. Rinse the mesh thoroughly with a garden hose or a pressure washer to remove any remaining soap residue.

For rust or corrosion, use a wire brush or a stainless steel wool to scrub the affected areas. After cleaning, rinse the mesh thoroughly and apply a rust inhibitor or a coat of paint to protect the mesh from further rusting.

For heavy grease or oil buildup, use a degreaser or a solution of hot water and a heavy-duty cleaner to scrub the mesh. Rinse the mesh thoroughly with a garden hose or a pressure washer to remove any remaining cleaner residue.

It’s important to note that when cleaning hardware cloth, be sure to wear gloves and safety glasses to protect your hands and eyes from sharp edges. And also always check the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the care and cleaning of the specific material the hardware cloth is made of.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of High-elastic wire mesh. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.