What Screen Mesh Is Best for Silicone Grip Dots and Stripes?
Screen mesh is one of the process variables that determines how silicone ink reaches a textile surface. A sock-sole dot pattern, a narrow stripe on elastic tape and a hand-printed glove grip design may use the same silicone family but require different stencil and screen settings.
For the product and heat-curing formulation behind these examples, see Anti Slip Silicone Ink For Textile Screen Printing.
Starting Mesh for Silicone Grip Dots: 20–40 Mesh
The supplied process guidance lists 20–40 mesh as the reference for round anti-slip dots, whether the screen is operated manually or by machine. This range is associated with the dot-printing setup, not a requirement for every shape or substrate.
A practical trial should verify that individual dots transfer consistently, keep the intended outline and remain separated after the ink reaches the fabric. Measure the actual printed diameter and spacing rather than relying on screen artwork dimensions alone.
Starting Mesh for Silicone Grip Stripes: 60–80 Mesh
For stripe patterns made with a screen-printing machine or by hand, the supplied recommendation is 60–80 mesh. These jobs often target an ordered line or strip with controlled edges. Fine lines, elastic webbing surfaces and stencil construction can all change the final deposit.
Silicone stripes can also be produced by a dedicated dispensing or stripe-printing machine. In that case, screen mesh may not apply; nozzle/tooling selection and machine settings take its place.
Is One Printing Pass Enough?
The supplied process notes indicate that one pass is generally sufficient after adjusting the printing equipment. This assumes the resulting silicone deposit meets the target pattern and passes checks after heat curing. Do not automatically add layers simply because a print looks thin while still wet.
Why Mesh Alone Does Not Determine Print Quality
Mesh works together with stencil thickness, squeegee pressure, ink flow, printing speed, substrate texture and fabric tension. If a dot fills in or a stripe loses its edges, changing mesh alone may not solve the problem.
Produce test prints using the actual textile, record the chosen settings and confirm the result after the complete bake cycle. XG-15A is a heat-curing system: manual printing still requires heat curing.
For the production sequence, read How to Print Heat-Curing Anti-Slip Silicone on Textiles. For a finished-product example, read Anti-Slip Silicone Printing for Socks.
A Simple Sample-Approval Checklist
For each trial, record the mesh, stencil design, textile, printing method and finished dot or stripe dimensions. Approve the mesh based on the cured print and its intended use, not the nominal mesh number alone.
FAQ: Does a Dispensing Machine Need a Screen Mesh?
Not when it applies silicone directly through a dispensing head. In that process, the selected dispensing hardware and machine settings control the line deposit instead of a screen.
Related resource: Anti Slip Silicone Ink For Textile Screen Printing