XTool Laser Screen Printer - The Future Of Screen Printing?

[@alandir5617]

I just got mine on January 3rd and it is awesome. Everything arrived in one box.

[@NekoPrints]

It looks like an awesome product! Just not for my business. Glad you liked yours!

[@garywidman7574]

Different sizes of ss mesh are available on Amazon. I'll be making my own wood framed ss screens to burn on my laser. Cost is minimal, and I will be able to do everything xtool does with slightly less convenience.

[@NekoPrints]

Nice! I think the only thing that could be troublesome would be registration? But with the precision of a laser, I doubt itd be a big problem.

[@niteshkumar-qc8nq]

Bro, can we use polyster mesh in laser etching I want to make too guide us

[@OutBoXeR007]

What is the highest mesh count we can go with these lasers? I am confused about their performance in high detail halftones.

[@zansaito]

Just wanted to add that xTool has stated that you can strip the screen and reapply emulsion. This is from the kickstarter comment section, "If needed, you can strip the emulsion from the xTool screen using a release agent suitable for conventional screens, then reapply a new layer of photo emulsion for the re-exposure process. This feature ensures our screens offer flexibility and longevity, allowing for multiple uses similar to any market-available screen, with the added convenience of being pre-coated for an easier initial screen printing experience, especially for beginners."

[@NekoPrints]

Thanks so much for this! I didn't look in the comment section that was my mistake, but this is a great key piece of information that I missed

[@robertlawson4295]

@@NekoPrints One VERY IMPORTANT point is that the screen mesh MUST be stainless steel otherwise the laser would burn up both mesh and emulsion. xTool uses a standard 100 count stainless steel mesh that is very common in the industry. For very detailed images, meshes of 200 or 300 counts can be used. I don't know if stainless steel meshes are available at those counts. I have much experience in past years using screen printing in the electronics industry where it was used for printing etch resist patterns on the board copper, solder mask patterns, and the silkscreen layers which is the white labelling you see on PCB's. Having spent a LOT of hours in the preparation of screens, this approach to making the printing screens is nothing short of game-changing. I backed the Kickstarter and will be getting my multi-color xTool screen printing in January (shipping starts on Jan 10, I believe). I own the xTool D1 Pro Laser model. Thanks for your video.

[@alandir5617]

Heidi from xtool says that this is not possible.

[@ElegyForTheMasses]

@@alandir5617 She’s incorrect. I’ve recoated and reused my screens several times.

[@symbolikarts]

I don't think that this is going to revolutionize the screen print industry, (not yet) but it's definitely gonna be a gateway for those wanting to dip their toe in the deep waters of the screenprint industry. I definitely want one for those quick one color printing orders. I will use it for t-shirts, posters and to customize my bags and shipping boxes.✌️🤟🤙

[@NekoPrints]

For sure. It's a good way to introduce someone to the industry

[@71291219]

Gracias por tomarte el tiempo, el sistema es muy nuevo y aun hay poca información. Es bueno escuchar varios puntos de vista.

[@NekoPrints]

Gracias por ver mi video! Si, es bastante nuevo pero en si, se ve bueno.

[@NTSRFR4]

You have to wash it out though just like when you use a positive?

[@NekoPrints]

You can if you want. Or just buy new screens to place in the housing. I have a video using it!

[@inkcityco]

This would be ideal for crafters or home based shops who have minimal space. If you have enough space i.e. garage I would stick with the standard screen printing equipment.

[@NekoPrints]

That was my thought exactly. At the end of the day, it's cheaper to reclaim screens than to buy new ones consistently.

[@martagilvazartlife]

It could be a handy thing but there is so much we learn when learning a new craft/skill ,i suppose if you have an established screen printing thing going and can afford to have one of those on reserve for a big order?hmm still not convinced, great review thanks

[@NekoPrints]

Well, screen printing in general is best used for large orders. I see this more for a job that you need to do quick and don't have much time to setup for, since the screen burning process is pretty time consuming. But I think at the end of the day if you can add the cost of the screen to your job cost and offset it, it could be a quicker way to start screen printing

[@Ramellosugahill]

This is definitely a awesome idea

[@NekoPrints]

I definitely think it is! Unfortunately it's not something I personally would use but there's definitely a market for this 🔥

[@wendydennis-gordon8358]

Maybe should have researched more as there are already videos on you tube of Crafters/Creator using this to make awesome things

[@NekoPrints]

I'm sure there are! But I was just giving my thoughts on it. I think it's an awesome idea and product. Just not something I would personally use since I don't screen print.

[@That_big_guy]

Wouldn't be hard at all using a laser and if you processed the photo using a different layer for each color and then use dithering burns like we do for say glass or tile photos which is just small tiny dots you can achieve very lifelike photos. I know I have done 24inch by 24 Inch tiles with baby family and wedding photos that people thought it was literally printed on with ink printers.

[@NekoPrints]

Interesting. I didn't think about different layers. But I feel that would add so much in terms of cost depending on how many screens need to be burned. Especially since you can't really reuse them. I've been able to burn photorrealistic images but 1 layer would be 1 color so I see why you'd need multiple layers. I guess like simulated CMYK process

[@robertlawson4295]

@@NekoPrints In addition to my other comment to you, I can say that the screens are completely reusable for quite a few times since they are made of stainless steel. Use emulsion remover to strip the used emulsion, reapply new emulsion with a standard scoop coater, let it dry, then expose the whole screen to harden the emulsion. Normally, this is where you would use your image on transparent film during the exposure but since the laser will be opening the emulsion where your image exists then no image on transparent film is needed. There is one very important gain of this approach ... if you have a bunch of small images you acquire over time, you will be able to add them to an existing screen as you go. This cannot be done with conventional screen preparation methods which are all or nothing. It's easy to print small sections of the screen onto objects. Preventing any ink getting through on the other small images is easy simply by putting some painters tape on the underside of the screen where those images exist. The screens can be removed from the frame -- after cleaning, of course -- and stored away for future use. xTool's method of putting the screens back into a frame makes this approach very feasible.

[@pablomedina8575]

@@robertlawson4295 Es una gran verdad, puedes añadir nuevas imagenes en el screen si tienes el espacio, cosa que no puedes hacer con uno convencional

[@svenimmelmann9777]

I'm commenting for engagement. Where's the cheat sheet? #LaserScreenPrinting2023

[@NekoPrints]

😂 The wuhhhhhh

[@shivamlaxmi4012]

That was the wrong Xtool logo. That’s another company that manufactures diagnostic equipment for cars. 😂

[@NekoPrints]

Dude you're totally right I completely missed that 😂 thanks for pointing that out! It's funny because I myself actually used to work IT for a company that worked programming car keys and we used tons of different diagnostic equipment 😂😂