The banding is due to wrong screen angles or using too small a dot.
The Xara default angles don't work for screenprinting. If your colors are not mixing to make other colors then use a 61 degree angle for all the plates or colors.
The dot size can range from 55 to 65 line using an eliptical dot. The dot size is more dependant on the mesh that the screen printer is using. If they are using low mesh (more ink flows through)- Keep your out put at 53-55 line. A high mesh can use smaller dots (60-65) but it can band or show moire(sp).
I very seldom use a 65 line output from Xara. I don't like the way it prints. It seems that with a larger dot you have more control with the blends. So I tend to lean towards a 60 dot when using alot of gradients. A 55 dot when I'll be using one screen for solid & gradient areas. A good example is the Marlin swim team. It's got a light blue area around the word marlin. Mostly solid lines so I used a 55 line. This way the percentage of blue will print light, like it's suppose to be. Remember, things tend to print darker than you expect. I lighten any solid area that's halftoned by 20-30%. This way it doesn't print too dark.
Word of Caution: Don't mix dot sizes for output. ex-55 one screen & 60 on another for the same print. Moire's everywhere....
For solid area & no gradients. Then you can output at 120 line or use the Xara default setting for print.
If your printing them yourself, output should be on Vellum. Once printed it should be sprayed with Fixitive (Krylon). It solidifies or makes the print more opaque. When the screens are burned it keeps the light from going through the dark printed areas.
Questions?
----------- _~o
----------- '\<,, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep
><>____(_)/ (_) - in order to gain that which he cannot loose." JE
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks