Friday, October 30, 2009

Jams World Dresses - A Quick View

Jams world dresses are on your side when you are going to dress up to draw attention of visitors in an evening party. You should choose a different kind of attire beyond the common imagination to appear different in a party; you win hearts of many people around. Your presence creates a distinct deviation from the common style to single you out from the crowd. Always depend on reputed brands to be in the limelight and you will remain there with your unusual pattern of dressing up. When you do this properly, you will be able to defeat competition from contenders with your stunning presence in the party. You should maintain a confident approach in your style. The unusual attire will just provide the high quality looks that you will enjoy whereas others will envy.

You have to plan your garment choice accurately so that it fits your figure, your approach, the mood and the environment. Your creative frame of mind will be a strong factor in this function. The traditional dressing style may also provide glamorous looks, which you must have seen celebrities from the movie world patronizing to produce a different look and they look really gorgeous. With Jams world dresses, you can captivate your audience and find a significant place in their mind, which is enjoyable. You have to learn to make creative decisions regarding your dress from wherever you do so. You must understand your qualities regarding the color of skin, the physical advantages which you should be able to show to make a real captivating display before public.

You should get online information and websites of different garment houses, which have the set; you have in your mind. The innovative style in fashion designing is a great subject to gain from, which you have to search online and match with your personality to pose a stunning picture before onlookers. You make a thorough shopping online to get the best of Jams world dresses and find out the unique piece to match your mood to suit the special event at the next opportunity.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Clothing For the Twilight Series

Twilight fans should be very glad to know that there are literally thousands of sites on the Internet that sell Twilight T-shirts to the cult movie and book's many fans. The Twilight book series was originally written by Stephanie Meyer. It might shock fans to know that her manuscript was rejected 14 times by various publishing houses. I bet they are biting their tongues now in vein. However, the book was finally published in hard cover in 2005 and immediately topped the best seller list, and was nominated by Publishers Weekly as one of the best children's' books during 2005.

The novel went on to be a mega hit and stayed on the New York Times best seller list for 91 weeks. Later Twilight was made into a popular movie and exposed to millions of new fans worldwide who did not get a chance to read the best-selling vampire book.

Twilight is actually the first book in the series. Mostly, about Isabella Swan who falls in love with a vampire after her move from Phoenix, Arizona to Forks, Washington. The second book in the series is New Moon Eclipse, followed by Breaking Dawn; and certainly, the following books are going to be made into films. Odds are that the films are destined for great box office success because of their millions of fans across the world. Many fans rocked their Twilight T-shirts while attending the Twilight movie. Twilight T-shirts are available for purchase at stores like Walmart or online at sites like Amazon.com.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

The Difference of Western and Eastern Clothing Culture

When we talk about eastern clothing culture, what reminds of us is traditional Chinese clothing. However, to western clothing, it seems that we know fewer things. What we will think of is either western-style suit or luxurious noble clothes. Actually, the difference of western and eastern clothing culture is not simple. A clothing culture of a nationality is based on the culture of this nationality. After long history of culture, western and eastern clothing culture form unique characteristics and systems of each other. Now let me tell you something about that.

The first is the difference of color. On the one hand, the characteristic of a nationality reflects the love of colors. In ancient China, black was regarded as the imperial color. The colors of imperial clothes in ancient dynasties were black. With the development of feudal central power, people worshiped the earth instead of the god. Therefore, color of clothing was mainly in yellow. On the other hand, in west, white and purple were the most popular color in Roman times. People held the view that white was pure and honest while purple represented elegance. However, since the Renaissance, clothes developed faster and faster. With the development of luxury, bright colors were popular with people. People of Spain like rose and grey while people of England like black.

The second is the difference of the shape. In one hand, Traditional Chinese clothes emphasized the vertical feeling. This design can make people look thin and tall. The most important is that this design can make up the short stature of easterners. In the other hand, classical western clothes emphasized lateral feeling. Extravagant outline of shoulder will have radiative effect. What is more, this design was fit into the passionate temperament of westerners. In the meanwhile, this design was fit into the tall and strong stature of westerners.

The third is the difference of pattern. On the one hand, we can see many patterns in Chinese clothes. People hold the view that lucky patterns show the propitious wish. From ancient time till today, propitious patterns were used widely. No matter expensive silk or common printed cloth, these patterns can be seen easily. These patterns not only show the totem worship but also express the feeling of descendants of the dragon. On the other hand, with the development of history, patterns in western clothes changed continually. In ancient time, people liked to use flowers and other plants. However, in recent generations, animal patterns were popular.

These are three main difference of western and eastern clothing culture. Wish they are useful for you.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Tissot Quadrato Watches

Designers at the Tissot Watch Company have never wasted time worrying about the competition.

Innovation has been a hallmark of the brand since it opened headquarters in Le Locle, Switzerland in 1853, introducing the first pocket watch with two time zones. By 1858, Charles-Emile Tissot, the founder's son, had successfully penetrated the huge and influential Russian market. Today, Tissot is the leading producer of traditional Swiss watches in the world, under the Swatch company umbrella.

Over the years, Tissot timepieces have been worn by luminaries from all walks of life. Actress Sarah Bernhardt wore a Tissot, as did pop icon Elvis Presley. World leader Nelson Mandela and actress-turned-princess Grace Kelly kept track of busy schedules with their Tissots.

Surprisingly, the Tissot name has not been as well-recognized as other watchmakers, but not for a lack of industry firsts and non-traditional styling. Perhaps its commitment to "democratic luxury" leads some to believe that a Tissot can't possibly meet standards of other Swiss companies at such affordable prices. Reviewers have described Tissots as "offering gold at silver prices." Yet over the years, Tissot gained a reputation for establishing many "firsts." In 1930, the company produced the first anti-magnetic watch. In 1971, the first plastic watch came from Tissot designers, and was followed by a watch made of solid rock (granite from the Swiss Alps) in 1971; a pearl watch in 1987; and a watch made entirely from wood in 1988. Still, whatever model,managed to create a stir, Tissot never lost sight of its goals -- maintaining accurate performance by Swiss-precision standards.

The accuracy of Tissot is legendary; the company serves as official timekeepers for NASCAR and MotoGP racing, as well as the World Championships of cycling, fencing and ice hockey. Danica Patrick, the first woman to win an IndyCar race, is one of several ambassadors for the company, and was involved in the creation of a collection of ladies watches. MotoGP racer Nicky Hayden also sports a collection, which includes several styles and prices of the popular Tissot Quadrato model. When potential buyers look under the hood of any Quadrato, they'll see features representing innovation not found in other brands. Tactile, or "T-Touch" technology, first produced in 2000, has improved how we can use watches.

The Quadrato collection, in men and women's styles, are designed with respect to the tradition of square-faced watches, fast-becoming trendy once more. But the sharp edges, bold dimensions and avant-garde styling are in line with the heritage of a company nearly 160 years old. The Generosi-T models, slightly more glamorous than the Quadratos, offer the same bold styles without sacrificing the Tissot commitment to making the best watches available.

It's not an exaggeration to say that wearing a Tissot is to attract attention. Despite its longevity in business, Tissot watches have combined the aesthetics that trendsetters love, and the precision that movers and shakers require. Whether a sporty Quadrato or a lighter-looking Generosi-T adorns the wrist, wearing a Tissot guarantees the most-affordable way to master time.

Friday, October 23, 2009

An Insight Into Colognes For Men and Women

Aromatic mixtures used by women are called as perfumes and those used by men are called Cologne. From the 14th Century perfumes and colognes have been used extensively by women and men.

From time immemorial, in order to be attractive and pleasing to those nearby, men and women used products that could enhance their appeal. A mixture of fragrant oils as well as aromatic compounds were popular that would give a pleasing fragrance to the wearer. Perfumers started manufacturing and marketing of these products from the fourteenth century. The famous brands are Chanel No.5, White Shoulders, Black Cashmere etc. In addition to established brands, newer varieties are being created for the use men and women.

A perfume for women enhances her appeal in the society. The designer perfumes have a standard and established appeal on those around the wearer; but are not preferred by all because of their high cost. Many purchase cheaper varieties available at the fragrance shop or at perfume websites, who offer good discounts and are relatively cheaper, compared to those of the designer qualities.

The Cologne shops are for men, which are similar to the perfume shops for women. Hugo Boss and Calvin Klein are popular among men. Except for few, all men are not attracted to the designer products like the women. They shop at a discount shop or prefer to procure designer labels at a discount.

The gift of perfumes for women on important occasions pleases the receiver. With many shops and many qualities available in the market, it is now easy to locate a relatively good quality at cheaper prices.

Thus Cologne finds a place in the minds of men to give them an aura of scent and pleasantness that is alluring to others in a gathering.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Using a Skull Hoodie As a Costume

It has become popular for many teenagers to get dressed for Halloween. Whether you are going to a party or heading out for some good clean fun, you are going to need something to wear. With money usually being tight, a great thing is to buy something you can wear as a costume, then wear again for regular clothing. A great option is a skull hoodie.

Hoodies are growing increasingly popular, especially amongst teenagers and young adults. They are a useful piece of clothing as well as a popular trend. So why not kill two birds with one stone and buy a hoodie that also doubles as a costume? This is a great way to save money and have something cool to wear after you are done with it as a costume.

A skull hoodie can be designed many different ways. But the best one would be a hoodie that has the most graphic and correct rendition of a skeleton and skull on it. This is best accomplished with a black hoodie screen printed with white and grey ink in the design of bones, creating an overall skeleton look.

This hoodie isn't just for a costume. It is great for everyday wear. For those who are into the Gothic or EMO look, this is a great addition. They are perfect for both men and women, boys and girls. This hoodie is perfect for anybody of any age.

The hood of this sweatshirt is the best part of the look. When the hood is up, it makes the head look like a human skull, giving the wearer an eery, creepy look. The hoodie is available in many retail stores as well as for purchase online. A simple search will get you many results. Now you can look scary any day of the year in this cool hoodie.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Finding Out the Perfect Fragrance For a Woman

When you have given a woman the fragrance suited for her, it means that you know that woman really well. But your next question will be, how do you really find the perfect gift for a woman, especially if it is a fragrance that will be best for her? That is what this thing is all about.

Finding the fragrance that will fit into your wardrobe is really thought-provoking and mind-boggling. Choosing the fragrance that will suit your mood, an occasion, and that will attract favorable compliments from the opposite gender, is really something you must think carefully and fully about. So, why don't you browse over the suggestions below and find out for yourself?

First and foremost, you should know that in looking for the best fragrance, going on-line is the cheapest way to do that. Since going over the different stores will take up time, not to mention money, it would be best if you just click it on. With the advent of technology, with just a click of your finger, viola! There goes your wide array of choices. Next thing to consider, though, is the right site for you to look at.

Then, know the importance of aroma. Do you know that it can be like foreplay? Yes ladies, we know that batting our eyelash, or when we "accidentally" slip the strap of our bra, we know that it will start the engine of our man into its gear. But you have to know also that another weapon cum strategy to really spark up the imagination of our man is to surprise him with a smell that will have a special and arousing effect on his sexual desires. So, finding out the perfect aroma is the key to success in this part. Oh, yeah, we are commonly bombarded with the saying that the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach, well that may still be true. But it will do no harm if we also appeal to his sexual desires, right?

Another thing to think about is that wearing the right fragrance for you can also be a way of having a fashion statement. You have to admit that almost all of us wear our brand of perfume to impress others with our magnificent taste of fragrances. Some of us may even wear different perfume for different occasion, you know, looking at the vain side of each one of us. Some of us may wear certain brands when going to parties and social gatherings, or any late night outs, while others may be wearing yet a different set of designer perfume when just going to the malls, the park, or a sporting event. In these mentioned instances, having an array of fragrances to choose from is indeed a necessity.

Finally, you have to understand the difference between perfume and cologne. The difference is that cologne has the smallest fraction of fragrance present in it while a perfume is a stronger one. It has three different layers of fragrance present in it. It means that when one layer fades off, the next one takes place following the third layer with one having its own fragrance. To cut the long story short, perfume lasts longer than cologne. So if you will attend an occasion that will last longer than expected, or an intense moment, you have to wear a perfume. And if you are just going to the mall, or just "hanging around", as they say, wear something lighter, which is cologne.

With all of those things mentioned, finding the perfect fragrance for a woman can just be a breeze.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Short Sleeve Cardigan - The Comeback of This Popular Outerwear

Over history, there have been particular kinds of clothes and designs that have regularly made a comeback, ever so often. The cardigan is one of them, which has had a tumultuous history. If history is an indication of anything, then you can be assured that the cardigan is here to stay. One of the popular varieties in cardigans is the short sleeve cardigans. These are extremely trendy currently and popular for a number of reasons. Almost every woman out there will have at least one or more pairs of short sleeve cardigan owing to their comfort levels and also the fact that they are relatively inexpensive.

Choice of Material

Not so long back, cardigans were restricted only to the woolen materials and derivatives of the same. However, this has changed of late, and now you can be assured of having the short sleeve cardigan in pretty much any variety that you desire. Some of the different materials that are made use of in designing these include cotton, cashmere, rayon, polyester blend besides the usual woolen style. This makes for truly interesting clothing, which can have a unique look, depending on what it is that you are looking for.

Unique Designs

Just because they are small in size, it doesn't mean that you don't have much to work with. On the contrary, you can take your pick from quite a lot of truly unique designs that include certain jeweled ones or even intricately crafted ones, which looks really good on pretty much any attire. Women can take their pick from designs that are plain and simple with just a button, or a hook or a zipper in the front, to a fully blown one that includes a lot of handiwork and some intricate art on the cardigan. Hence, there is no restriction on the style of the short sleeve cardigan.

Comfort Wear

Another reason for the gain in fame of the short sleeve cardigan is the fact that it is so comfortable to wear. Hence, when you do go in for one, you can be assured that you will not simply be wearing something that is going to make you sweat or will be difficult to get out of. On the contrary, this is an extremely comfortable piece of apparel and you should find it extremely comfortable to be in. In fact, women wear the short sleeve cardigan even in relatively warm climates only for the style aspect and little else.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

5 Steps to Choose the Right Nike Shoes

Nike shoes are so popular and there are so many Nike shoes for sale online or offline. Among the various Nikes, which pair is best for you?

Choose the right shoes is very important and if you are not wearing the right shoes, your feet will feel uncomfortable. In order to protect your feet and make them in the best condition, here are 5 steps to teach you how to choose the right shoes.

1. Whether you need your Nike shoes for a sport or just for fun. Nike has hundreds to choose from if you are only looking for a regular shoe. Such as flip flops, canvas shoes, sandals and high tops.

2. The Nikes, where will you use it to? For athletes, you need the Nikes which have you covered for a specific sport. Suggest you going to Nike website or exclusive Shop to find out your specific sport.

3. What your needs are? Do you need a light basketball shoe, or Nike Hyperize TB? A football cleat can increase your speed, the Nike super speed 3/4 id football cleat would be better. To know what your needs are can help you in selecting the right shoes.

4. Have your budget. You can get a wide range of prices of Nikes, which fits everyone's needs. According your budget to choose the most suitable shoes for you.

5. Shopping in a Nike store. To know which is best shoes for you, the best way is trying them on and testing them out by your feet. Before you try them on you can have a view of the product lists and get a mind in favorite shoes, then try them on, thus it can save your time.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Vintage Belt Buckles - Authentic Vs Imitations

You can find several advertisements on eBay and other websites that put on the market original vintage accessories and its price takes into account belt buckles as well. Have you ever wondered if these classic products are actually worth it? Coming up with a firm pronouncement becomes even more difficult when you find several replication products that are also sold through the same sources. As a matter of fact, this is not a very simple question to answer. The complexity of this question lies beneath the purpose that you are looking for in a classic product.

Authentic Products

Many of us are fascinated by the looks of classic products and we plan to pay for them mainly because we adore the looks of these products which make it quite hard to justify the high price you are paying for these items. This is not the same if you are a collector of classic items because you are paying for the value of that product. For you, the piece has a history associated with it and you are being a part of its history by acquiring and storing that particular product. Being a collector you can justify the price you are paying for a classic product.

Replicas

Replicas are meant for people who are obsessed only with the look but not the authenticity. When you purchase a belt buckle that looks like a very old one, you are most likely inclined towards its looks and a classic product may not be the right call for you. Majority of the classic style products that you can purchase in the market today are not of inferior quality. Manufactures try their level best and use excellent quality raw materials to deliver to you the real deal from the past that were enjoyed by your great forefathers.

Choosing between an authentic product and a replica is always a hard decision but when fashion is your main concern, a replica of the classic buckle will be the right call for you. You can still dwell in the beauty of a gone era without shelling a large amount of money for it.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Can Abayas Be Personalised Or Designed Bespoke?

Tailor made outfits are commonly referred to "bespoke" in the United Kingdom. These outfits are made to order and are personalised in terms of size and design for the wearer. For western outfits, bespoke tailoring is not very common as most people opt to buy off the rack or pret wear. These clothes are easily and conveniently available in a number of sizes and styles, allowing the person to try on a few apparel items before selecting those that are the most flattering for them as well as suit their sense of style.

For Middle Eastern clothing items like abayas and jilbabs, the large majority of designers were offering ready to wear lines, as these outfits are loose fitting to begin with and the regular sizes can fit a range of women varying in shape and size. But with the passage of time and the increasing popularity of the abayas, new designers have started to present bespoke and personalised tailoring services to their clients. Although there are still large stocks of "off the rack" abayas available at all leading Islamic stores across the globe, many smaller boutiques or well known designers now provide their customer base with the uniqueness of a one of a kind dress.

With the media focusing a great amount of time on latest fashions and trends, the Muslim woman is also becoming more and more aware of styles and designs. Initially the women were happy to be dressed in the simple and classic abayas readily available in stores and boutiques, but today the modern woman likes to explore her options about the way she dresses. This is creating a large market for dress designers and wardrobe coordinators to offer and cater to the savvy women of today.

Numerous abayas designers now choose to have a face to face evaluation with the client in order to get a feel of their dressing needs. This provides them with the added advantage of finding out about the customers physical attributes like their hair and skin colouring and physique in addition to their choice of colours, cuts and styles. These meetings also allow the client to discuss about the event or occasion that the abayas are needed for, which is the first step that the designer needs to take before creating an ensemble for their client.

Due to these aspects, more and more Muslim women, in particular the affluent and wealthy are turning towards bespoke tailoring to fulfill their abayas needs. In addition, the choice of fabric, patterns and embellishments can also be chosen and selected according to the wearer's own taste. These are the primary reasons for the change in trend towards bespoke tailoring.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Chi Hair Straightener - Usage Guidelines

Chi straightener is a product of Farouk System Inc intended caring for hair. The company is owned by Farouk Shami that manufactures high end products focused on caring hair personally. Even though CHI concentrates on its chi straightener, they also have hair dryers, curling iron and brushes as their side products.

The brand identity of Farouk System Inc is CHI which stands for Catonic Hydration Interlink. In most cases this was provided with a misinterpreted meaning as ceramic hot iron which was based on the appearance and the construction of product CHI straightener.

Chemical straightening and straightening iron are the two common types of hair straightening methods. Straightening using chemicals is what the facts called it chemical straightening which are place openly towards the hair and then alters its formation in which manner straight structure is achieved. On the second thought, the application of using iron plates as a comb to straighten is what hair iron straightening all about.

The process of application in a chemical straightening requires time and patience. It must also be done by a qualified professional to acquired the perfect desire of hair structure and avoid breakage or damage as well. On the contrary, hair iron straightening can be perform by anybody without the need of intense supervision but also requires some rules.

Letting you hair acquires damage results in so much discredit. So make sure that before the application of straightener, ascertain that you are doing the right thing. Heat of the iron must properly observe whether your hair can sustain it, adjust it carefully towards its desired heat. Avoid following those misleading belief of other people that your hair will be straighten because of the applied heat from the iron. What makes the hair curly is its hydrogen bond, and as this hydrogen bonds are eliminated, your hair will become straight. Elimination of hair hydrogen bond is what iron straightener created for.

Before applying or using the straightener, you have to test it degree of heat towards a piece of cloth, paper or tissue to assure that your hair will not be burn upon applying the iron. Because you don't want destroy your hair that will destroy your beauty as well, take the test.

Drying your hair is essential prior to the application of iron straightener. If you have mistakenly apply hair iron straightener when your hair is not dry, you might be experiencing burns on your hair because you were exposing it too much on heat which is not advisable for the everybody's hair. Imagine those people who are particular with the beauty of their hair, they never let it exposed in too much sunlight because it is unhealthy. Exposing your hair too much on hair iron straightener is unhealthy as well.

Application of hair iron straightener requires hair which is clean and free from any dirt to acquire a total beauty for your hair.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Tips For Finding the Best Men's Sweater

There is something charming about a sweater on a well-dressed man. Then again, an ugly sweater can completely ruin a man's look. Here are four of the most common types of sweaters to keep you looking good. Keep in mind that this men's sweater can enhance or ruin your outfit.

1.) Turtleneck Sweater. You will usually see these toasty sweaters in the colder months of the year. With a high neck to keep you from being chilled, these can create a very distinguished look under a corduroy blazer or suede jacket. Choose the rest of your outfit wisely, and your sweater could fit right anywhere from a football game to a cocktail party.

2.) Crew-Neck Sweater. Although a more informal look, the crew-neck does offer a bit more comfort than a turtleneck. An all-weather style, you can choose a lighter sweater for warmer months, and a thicker version for the cold..

3.) V-Neck Sweaters. You'll recognize the V-neck by it's collar, which forms the shape of a V, of course. This type of sweater tends to be a less formal fashion choice. Wearing jeans with a V-neck can offer you a dressed-down outfit, while a nice pair of dress pants can drastically elevate the look of this sweater.

4.) Sweater Vest. Although it can be a little challenging to make a sweater vest look good, this is a great option for the fall. The classic combination is to pair this look with dressy pants, but the newer, more popular look involves pairing this sweater with jeans.

Sweaters can be an excellent fashion choice for almost any man. They can give you a distinguished and timeless look. A sweater is versatile; you can dress it up, or you can dress it down. When it comes to color, you will rarely go wrong with a dark gray or a muted hue. Colorful sweaters are nice, but they do not always turn out to be the best option. These sweaters rarely compliment the rest of your look. In addition, they can make you seem young and a bit tacky. And if you like bright color, the best thing to do is to wear a bright collared shirt under your more neutral toned men's sweater.

Regardless of whether you go with a turtle neck, a crew-neck, v-neck, or a sweater vest, remember to keep it simple. The mens sweater is a timeless look which have changed very little over time. One of the most versatile forms of clothing, make sure you have at least a few sweaters to choose from in your closet.

Monday, October 5, 2009

SOS Eyewear With RX Inserts

There are three styles under two brands of SOS Eyewear: SOS Tech and SOS Cutters that carry RX inserts. SOS Tech Evolution and Departure styles and SOS Cutters -Tundra RX. One can wear these RX inserts instead of your glasses or contact lenses.

SOS Tech Evolution not only has the RX inserts but it offers interchangeable Duralite, Polycarbonate lenses in different colors. The Black Flash frame comes with Red XLT, FM Smoke, Yellow, Brown with FM Gold color lenses. The Matte Gunmetal frame comes with PC Brown with FM Gold, FM Smoke, Yellow and Clear lenses. Last but not least, the Matte Black frame comes with PC FM Driver, Smoke, Yellow and Clear lenses.

The SOS Tech Evolution frames also includes comfort features, such as: foam inserts for the sunglasses and nose peace and head straps. When all the features are added on to the frames, they become snug fitting and they help with air flow around the eyes, when exerting physical activity. This sunglass also includes a soft micro fiber cleaning cloth and protective storage bag to carry all the lenses and comfort pieces.

The SOS Departure frames includes the RX inserts, interchangeable Duralite Polycarbonate lenses in different colors, head strap, and a soft micro fiber cleaning cloth, protective storage bag and case.

The SOS Tech sunglasses are designed for the first responders, military and sport enthusiast.

The SOS Cutters - Tundra RX comes with the RX insert, rimless wrap around lenses that offer improved aerodynamics and better peripheral vision. These face hugging, composite shock frames come with a nose bridge and temple tips, a micro fiber cleaning cloth with a mesh carrying case.

For the RX insert you will probably need to find an optical lab to make the glass for the insert. It should include polycarbonate because of their shape, as the lenses fit close to the eye. The price to have the inserts worked up varies depending on the optical lab from approximately $60.00 to $130.00.

These SOS Eyewear sunglasses come with a Lifetime Replacement Guarantee to ensure your satisfaction.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Understanding Screen Printing Mesh

By learning the basics of screen mesh and fabric preparation, you can quickly improve the quality of your prints and prevent common screen problems such as pinholes, poor detail, and poor ink coverage. We will begin by explaining mesh counts, weaves, and thread diameter. Once we have a basic understanding of the mesh itself, we can look at stretching and preparing the screen mesh for emulsion.

Polyester monofilament is the best choice for textile screen printing. Stainless steel, nylon, and silk are also available but the polyester is the most common for garment printing. Two different types of mesh weaves are available. Plain weave is a simple one-over/one-under pattern similar to a basket. This allows for a very sharp print when you are screen printing detailed designs. Twill weave is a two-over/two-under pattern. This does not provide the sharp detail like the plain weave but it does allow for more ink to pass through the mesh at higher mesh counts. Most applications are best when printed with plain weave mesh.

Thread thickness is also very important. You may not realize it but many mesh counts that you order are available in different thread sizes. For example, 305 mesh count is available in a thread thickness of 31, 34, and 40 microns. The 305 mesh count screen with 31 micron thread diameter is able to tension 21 to 24 N/cm. This is much less tension than the 40 micron thread (27 to 32 N/cm). You may want the tighter screens for high-end printing but you also must consider the change of ink deposit between the different screens. Even though they are all 305 count screens, they all have different theoretical ink deposits and different fabric thickness.

Mesh color is also something to consider. Customers often ask what the difference is between white and dyed mesh. I always recommend white mesh for counts ranging from 17 meshes/inch to 158 meshes/inch. Anything above 158 meshes/inch it is important to use dyed mesh. White mesh has a tendency to refract light. This causes undercutting of your stencil and you can lose important detail. Yellow mesh reduces refraction because it reduces the travel of ultraviolet light. Dyed mesh will take a longer exposure time but it is a small price to pay when you could be losing fine lines and half-tones. Using proper mesh tensioning procedures will allow for optimum print control and performance. It is important to understand that one definitive mesh tensioning level does not exist. Every mesh count, every thread diameter, and every thread material may tension at different levels.

The final step is preparing your screen properly and consistently. This is just as important as selecting the best mesh count for the job. Mesh pretreatment is the process of cleaning and preparing the screen mesh surface to improve stencil adhesion and eliminate coating defects, with the ultimate goal being optimum stencil performance and durability. It is important to use an abrader/degreaser when you have stretched new mesh material or received new pre-stretched screens.

This will allow your liquid emulsion or capillary film to adhere to the screen better which prevents pinholes, fisheyes, uneven stencil thickness, air pockets, and stencil breakdown. Using household products such as Comet or caustic degreasers is not recommended. The proper chemicals don't just clean the mesh surface, they prepare the mesh for the stencil. If your screen mesh is not virgin, you only need to use a degreaser to treat the surface. Older screen mesh may require a haze remover when it becomes stained.