Estimates are that fewer than 10% of all screen printers currently use Densitometer, or gauges designed to help measure film or print quality prior to printing. Many just don’t see the need, trusting their own eyes over a gauge. But Densitometer are one surefire way to ensure a high-quality screen printing process. They are necessary, especially if you need to:

Densitometer

* Control film densities from outside sources.

* Match color proofs, or

* Spot check color consistency in the middle of a production run.

Densitometer gauges come in two varieties: transmission for reading film positives and reflection for reading printed images. Both work by providing numerical measurements that gauge the quality of the film or page prior to printing. The key is that it’s a numerical quantity – one that neither you or your customer can argue with.

Three steps to an ergonomically safe workplace

According to the Screen Printing and Graphics Imaging Association (SGIA), ergonomic injuries account for a large portion of workers’ compensation claims in the printing industry. Here are three tips to make sure you are running an ergonomically correct shop.

* Conduct an evaluation. Take a good hard look at your production activities, particularly those tasks involving frequent, constant and/or awkward motions.

* Educate. Make sure your employees are aware of your ergonomic concerns. Awareness is half the battle.

* Be proactive. Once you and your employees have identified problem areas, take corrective action — before employees are injured.

For more information, check out the SGIA’s training program designed to help reduce industry ergonomic injuries here.

SGIA