Stuck on screenprint registration for layered transparency
I’m working on a new series of screenprints, trying to achieve really precise layering for subtle color shifts. The problem is registration, especially when I want a transparent ink to sit perfectly over another. I'm using a vacuum frame and my usual registration pins, but the slight give in the mesh, even on fine counts like 180, seems to be causing tiny shifts between layers. It's most noticeable when I have light colors over darker ones, where any misalignment breaks the illusion of depth. Has anyone found a clever workaround for this, beyond just meticulous alignment? Maybe a different type of registration system or a way to better tension the fabric on the frame itself?
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The way the mesh stretches, even a little, is a problem. I've seen artists use a very thin, clear adhesive film over the whole screen, like a temporary laminate. It holds the mesh tighter and gives a more stable surface to register against. It’s fiddly to apply without bubbles, but can help. Have you considered a slightly thicker ink, maybe with a different extender base? Sometimes that reduces the ink's tendency to spread into those tiny gaps.