Squeegee Maintenance Saves Time, Ink, and Money

Most printers have seen it happen. Poor ink opacity, Poor coverage on your White ink prints, having to use multiple strokes to achieve a clean image. The first instinct is to check the mesh or the ink. The squeegee usually comes last. But this simple tool has a bigger role than most people realize, and understanding squeegee maintenance can make your whole process easier.

The Importance of Squeegee Maintenance

The squeegee controls ink movement during every stroke. A sharp edge shears ink across the mesh. A worn edge pushes ink into the fabric. The blade angle, pressure, and edge condition all affect how the ink settles on the garment. When the squeegee is sharp and clean, prints come out smooth and consistent.

These simple habits extend blade life and help you maintain predictable and consistent results:

✔️ Store them flat to protect the edge.

✔️ Keep them away from heat.

✔️ Clean them after each job.

You know a squeegee by checking for nice chips in the blade, does the edge look and or feel dull or rounded, not sharp? The blade may start to bend over because you need to use more pressure. Prints can look dull, oversaturated, or uneven. These are early signs that the edge is worn and no longer shearing ink properly.

What happens when you neglect the blade?

• A worn blade drags instead of gliding, which slows the operator.

• The extra drag creates strain in the wrists and shoulders when printing manually

• The ink deposit becomes uneven and harder to control.

• Poor opacity, causing it to look dull or oversaturated because the blade no longer shears the ink.

• You use more ink to reach the same level of opacity.

• You spend more time adjusting pressure and off-contact.

• Setup and production takes longer because the squeegee does not behave the same from print station to print station, IE: double stroke , PFP print flash print

• These small delays increase waste and reduce daily output and kill profit.

Better Prints Start with Better Tools

Your squeegee can save you time and money if you let it. Most shops do not think of the squeegee as a profit tool. It is a small part of the process, but it touches every print.

Selecting the right squeegee helps you control ink flow and print consistency: 70 -80 duro is standard for plastisol, 70/9070 gives better control

Selecting the right squeegee helps you control ink flow and print consistency:

Blade hardness

• Soft blades deposit more ink.

• Medium blades work well for general production.

• Hard blades deposit less ink and support finer detail.

Blade shape

• A straight edge works for most jobs.

• A rounded edge deposits more ink.

• Specialty shapes support more technical prints.

✔️ Clean, sharp squeegees

A clean and sharp edge shears ink cleanly. This gives you smoother prints, better coverage, and faster production.

❌ Worn, rounded squeegees

A worn blade floods the ink instead of shearing it. This slows you down and wastes ink. It also creates dull prints and inconsistent results.

How often should you change your squeegees?

Howe Pro Tip: At least twice a year, ideally during Daylight Saving Time set and reset. Use the time change as your reminder. When you replace your smoke alarm batteries and set your clocks, change your squeegees too.

Ready to change your squeegee? Shop here

Squeegee Maintenance: Small Habit, Big Results

Squeegee care is a simple practice that supports every part of your shop. A sharp blade gives you clean prints, steady ink flow, and fewer adjustments during production. These improvements help your team work faster and reduce waste on every job. A good squeegee also extends the life of your screens because you use less pressure and keep the mesh from breaking down.

Strong squeegee habits create a more predictable workflow. Your prints look consistent across long runs, and your operators avoid unnecessary strain. You also use less ink and spend less time correcting mistakes. These small gains add up over time and help protect the profit of each job. When you invest in squeegee care, you invest in a smoother and more reliable screen printing process.

Need help figuring out what your shop needs next?

If your squeegee does not feel the same, or if your prints keep fighting you, a quick adjustment may solve the problem. You do not have to troubleshoot everything on your own. Send your questions, your setup, or your print issue, and Howe will point you in the right direction. Simple, clear guidance for a cleaner print room.

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