Aluminum Frame 20″ x 24″ Mesh 160 Yellow – Pre-Stretched Screen for Screen Printing

Nortech

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The 20″ x 24″ Aluminum Frame with 160 Yellow Mesh is a pre-stretched screen meshed with Saati Standard-T-thread polyester at 160 threads per inch. The do-everything count. Fine enough for semi-detailed art, open enough for a solid ink lay-down — the most versatile screen in the shop for plastisol on lights, multi-color spot work, and paper. Coat it with emulsion, burn it on your exposure unit, and verify tension with a tension meter before you print.

20″ x 24″ OD aluminum
Fits most manual & auto presses

160 mesh — semi-fine detail
Moderate ink deposit

Saati Standard-T thread
Durable, high-tension workhorse mesh

Yellow anti-halation mesh
Sharper stencils, less undercutting

Printable area 16″ x 20″
16″ scoop coater, 16″ max squeegee

Made in USA · reusable
Reclaim and re-mesh for long life

Shipping tip: order two or more of the same size so we can pack them mesh-to-mesh for safe transit. Questions? Call 512-454-0505.

Price range: $41.99 through $264.53

Amount

Single Frame
Box of 7 Frames

Clear

Single Frame Shipping Warning

To ensure safe and undamaged delivery, we strongly recommend ordering a minimum of two screens of the same size. By packaging them securely with the mesh facing inwards, we can reduce the risk of damage during transit by UPS or FedEx. Please note that River City will be unable to replace frames damaged during shipping for single frame orders. Your understanding and cooperation are valued as we strive to maintain the quality of our products throughout the shipping process. Thank you.

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Description

20″ x 24″ Aluminum Frame · 160 Yellow Mesh

The do-everything count. Fine enough for semi-detailed art, open enough for a solid ink lay-down — the most versatile screen in the shop for plastisol on lights, multi-color spot work, and paper.

Proudly Made in America

Why This Screen

Saati Standard-T Mesh

Saatilene Hi-Tex standard-thread polyester — durable, tear-resistant, and holds high tension cycle after cycle.

160 Mesh — Semi-fine Detail

A moderate ink deposit tuned for this count. Plastisol on lights, multi-color, paper.

Yellow anti-halation mesh

Dyed mesh absorbs stray UV during exposure to stop undercutting — sharper stencils and better detail hold.

Welded Aluminum Frame

Lightweight, warp- and corrosion-resistant, precision-welded to stay dimensionally stable on press.

Pre-Stretched & Ready

Professionally tensioned for consistent tension edge to edge — verify it with a tension meter.

Reusable

Reclaim and re-mesh at end of life — or use our remesh exchange program to keep good frames in service.

What You Get & What You Need

One 20″ x 24″ pre-stretched aluminum screen with 160 yellow Saati Standard-T mesh.

Degrease it, then coat with screen emulsion using a 16″ scoop coater.

Burn the stencil on an exposure unit (dyed mesh gives sharper, cleaner detail).

Set exposure with an exposure calculator — every light source, emulsion, and coating is different — and keep our emulsion troubleshooting guide handy for washout issues.

Check your tension with a tension meter — it’s how you confirm the screen is at proper, consistent tension (Newtons) before you coat and print.

Reclaim with screen chemicals, and pair with a squeegee up to 16″ from our squeegee lineup.

Why 160 Mesh?

It balances deposit and detail better than any other single count, which is why 160 is the go-to for overprint colors, multi-color jobs, and general work where you want decent detail without sacrificing coverage.

What 160 Prints Best

Plastisol on light garments

Multi-color spot printing

Overprinting on top of an underbase

Posters, paper & flat stock

General semi-detailed graphics

Screen Printing Mesh Count Guide — When To Use Which

Mesh	Color	Ink deposit	Detail	Best for
60	White	Very heavy	Coarse	Glitter, high-density & specialty inks
86	White	Heavy	Bold	Heavy underbase, athletic & bold prints
110	White	Heavy–moderate	Bold	White underbase & bold spot on darks
125	White	Moderate	Medium	General all-purpose spot color
160 ★ (this screen)	Yellow	Moderate	Semi-fine	Plastisol on lights, multi-color, paper
200	Yellow	Light–moderate	Fine	Detailed spot color & simple halftones
230	Yellow	Light	Fine	Halftones, 4-color process, water-based
305	Yellow	Very light	Very fine	Ultra-fine halftones & CMYK process

Tap any mesh count to view that 20″ x 24″ screen. Also available in the other frame size.

Getting Your Exposure Dialed In

There’s no universal exposure time. Your light source, emulsion, coating technique, and stencil thickness all change how long a screen needs — so the only reliable way to nail it is to shoot an exposure test with a calculator or step wedge. Run it once for your setup and you’ll have repeatable times for every screen after.

Chromaline Exposure CalculatorShoot one test to find the correct exposure time for your exact light source, emulsion, and coating.

Chromaline 10-Step Exposure GuideA 10-step wedge that brackets your exposure across a range — read the crispest step to set your time.

Screens not exposing or washing out right? Our Emulsion Troubleshooting Guide walks through underexposure, stencil breakdown, pinholes, and washout problems step by step.

Good To Know Before You Buy

Order two or more. Single frames can be damaged in transit and can’t be replaced. Order 2+ of the same size so we pack them securely mesh-to-mesh.

Dial in exposure. No universal time — light source, emulsion, coating, and thickness all change it, and dyed mesh can need a bit longer than white. Shoot an exposure calculator for your exact setup.

Set & check your tension. Use a tension meter to verify the screen is at proper, consistent tension before burning and printing — low or uneven tension causes registration and print-quality problems.

Degrease before first use. Even new mesh needs a degreaser before your first emulsion coat for proper stencil adhesion.

Building or restocking your darkroom?

Grab emulsion, a scoop coater, an exposure unit, and a tension meter — everything to turn this frame into a print-ready stencil.

Shop Darkroom Supplies

Need a different size or mesh count?

Browse all pre-stretched aluminum screens and screens, frames & mesh — or call and we’ll match mesh to your artwork and ink.

Call 512-454-0505

Technical Specifications

20″ x 24″ · 160 Yellow Mesh — Technical Specifications

Specification	Detail
Product Name	Aluminum Frame 20″ x 24″ Mesh 160 Yellow — Pre-Stretched Screen
Frame Size	20″ x 24″ outside dimension (OD)
Frame Material	Welded aluminum — warp & corrosion resistant
Mesh Type	Saati Standard-T thread (Saatilene Hi-Tex) monofilament polyester
Mesh Count	160 threads per inch
Thread Diameter	64 microns
Mesh Opening	90 microns
Mesh Color	Yellow — dyed / anti-halation
Ink Deposit	Moderate
Detail Level	Semi-fine
Printable Area	< 14″ x 18″
Recommended Scoop Coater	16″
Max Squeegee	15″
Tensioning	Pre-stretched (proprietary technique, consistent tension) — verify with a tension meter
Reusable	Yes — reclaim and re-mesh
Compatible Inks	Plastisol, water-based, and discharge
Origin	Made in the USA
SKU	AL 2024 160

Build & Maintain Your Screens

Screen Emulsions
Coat before burning Scoop Coaters
16″ for 20″ x 24″Exposure Units
Burn / expose screens Exposure Calculator
Find your exposure time Tension Meter
Test for proper tension Screen Chemicals
Degrease & reclaim Troubleshooting Guide
Fix exposure & washout issues

Technical Sheets / Safety Data Sheets / Documents

20″ x 24″ · 160 Yellow Mesh — Technical Specifications

Specification	Detail
Product Name	Aluminum Frame 20″ x 24″ Mesh 160 Yellow — Pre-Stretched Screen
Frame Size	20″ x 24″ outside dimension (OD)
Frame Material	Welded aluminum — warp & corrosion resistant
Mesh Type	Saati Standard-T thread (Saatilene Hi-Tex) monofilament polyester
Mesh Count	160 threads per inch
Thread Diameter	64 microns (standard-T thread)
Mesh Opening	90 microns
Mesh Color	Yellow — dyed / anti-halation
Printable Area	Less than 14″ x 18″
Recommended Scoop Coater	16″
Max Squeegee	15″
Tensioning	Pre-stretched (proprietary technique, consistent tension)
Reusable	Yes — reclaim and re-mesh
Compatible Inks	Plastisol, water-based, and discharge
Applications	T-shirts, sweatshirts, posters, paper goods, flat stock
Origin	Made in the USA
SKU	AL 2024 158

Build Your Stencil — Related Supplies

Screen Emulsions
Coat the screen before burning Scoop Coaters
16″ recommended for 20×24 Exposure Units
Burn / expose your screens Screen Chemicals
Degrease & reclaim

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

20″ x 24″ · 160 Yellow Mesh — Frequently Asked Questions

What is 160 mesh best for?

What is Saati Standard-T thread mesh?

Mesh is woven in three thread diameters: S (thin), T (standard/medium), and HD (heavy). This screen uses Saati’s Standard-T thread (Saatilene Hi-Tex) — the durable, high-tension workhorse for the vast majority of shop jobs. Thicker threads resist tearing and hold tension longer than thin S mesh.

Why is the mesh yellow?

Yellow dye absorbs stray UV during exposure to prevent undercutting — sharper stencils and better fine-detail hold. Because the dye also absorbs some UV, dyed mesh can need a somewhat longer exposure than white; the exact difference depends on your light source (often minor with a tuned LED unit), so run an exposure test.

How do I check my screen tension?

Use a tension meter. Rest it on the mesh and it reads the tension in Newtons (N/cm). It’s how you confirm a screen is at proper, consistent tension before coating and printing — correct, even tension gives better registration, cleaner ink release, and sharper prints, and helps you re-tension retensionable frames to spec.

What size scoop coater should I use?

A 16″ scoop coater is ideal for a 20″ x 24″ frame (roughly 4–5″ shorter than the frame’s short side so it clears the rails).

What emulsion should I use?

Any quality screen emulsion — dual-cure, photopolymer, or diazo. Degrease the mesh first, coat both sides, and dry flat in a dark cabinet before exposing on an exposure unit.

How do I find the correct exposure time?

There’s no one-size time — every light source, emulsion, coating technique, and stencil thickness exposes differently. Shoot an exposure calculator or 10-step exposure guide once for your setup and you’ll have repeatable times. If screens break down, wash out poorly, or won’t hold detail, see our emulsion troubleshooting guide.

Can I reuse the screen?

Yes. Reclaim the stencil with screen chemicals and re-coat. When the mesh wears out, re-mesh the frame or use our remesh exchange program.

Will 20″ x 24″ fit my equipment?

20″ x 24″ is a standard size that fits most manual and automatic presses, washout booths, and exposure units. Printable area is under 14″ x 18″.

Why do you recommend ordering two?

Single frames can be damaged during shipping and can’t be replaced. Ordering two or more of the same size lets us pack them securely mesh-to-mesh in transit.

What inks can I print with it?

Plastisol, water-based, and discharge inks all run on this screen — this mid count balances deposit and detail for general work.

Setting up your screen room?

We’ll help you match mesh, emulsion, scoop coater, exposure unit, and tension meter to your artwork and ink — message us on Tidio, email, or call.

Call 512-454-0505

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Aluminum Frame 20″ x 24″ Mesh 160 Yellow – Pre-Stretched Screen for Screen Printing

Description

20″ x 24″ Aluminum Frame · 160 Yellow Mesh