Screen Printing
Ink Calculator
Estimate how much screen printing ink your job will use. Enter the artwork size, coverage and quantity, then calculate the wet ink deposit from your screen specifications or enter a known deposit. Add pricing only when you also want estimated ink cost and cost per finished print.
Start with the print job
Enter the artwork size, estimate how much of that rectangle actually receives ink, and tell us how many finished impressions you need.
How should we estimate the wet ink deposit?
Choose the path that matches what you know. Enter a validated wet deposit directly, or calculate one from the screen construction.
Complete the cost estimate
Steps 1 and 2 calculate estimated ink volume. Complete Step 3 to convert that volume into kilograms, see the recommended Printcolor packaging and calculate estimated ink cost and cost per finished print.
Enter the ink density
Screen printing ink is often purchased by weight. Density lets us convert the calculated ink volume into kilograms.
Enter the ink price
Choose how you buy the ink and enter the matching price. We use that to calculate estimated ink cost and ink cost per finished print.
Setup ink allowance Optional
Add the ink carried on the screen during press setup when you want a more conservative production cost.
How Much Screen Printing Ink Do I Need?
There is no single answer based on quantity alone. Ink consumption changes with the printed image area, wet ink deposit, artwork coverage and the number of impressions. Screen construction and setup can change the result further.
Calculate the image area receiving ink, multiply it by the expected wet ink deposit, then multiply by the number of impressions. Add rejects and setup ink when you want a more conservative production estimate.
Simple enough to use. Detailed enough to explain the result.
Deco Tech built this tool so a quick estimate does not require a spreadsheet, while experienced printers can still use the screen variables they already know.
Three groups of variables drive the estimate.
Screen Printing Ink Calculator FAQ
How much screen printing ink do I need for 1,000 prints?
Quantity alone is not enough to answer that accurately. A small logo at low coverage can use far less ink than a large solid image. Enter the artwork size, coverage, wet deposit and 1,000 finished impressions above for a job-specific estimate.
How does mesh count affect screen printing ink usage?
Mesh count is only one part of the screen. Thread diameter, weave and fabric thickness also affect the expected wet deposit, which is why the screen-specification option asks for all four variables.
How do I calculate screen printing ink cost per print?
Add the ink price using the unit you buy or quote with. The calculator estimates the consumed-ink cost for the job and spreads that cost across the requested finished production quantity.
How should I estimate a multi-color screen printing job?
Calculate each color separately because each color can have a different image area and coverage percentage. Add the individual color requirements when you need a total for the job.
Can I use this for T-shirt or textile screen printing?
The current calculation model is intended for conventional industrial and graphic screen printing. Textile systems such as plastisol, water-based and discharge inks should be checked against textile-specific production data before using the estimate as a purchasing commitment.
Screen Printing Resources from Deco Tech
Send Deco Tech the Actual Screen Printing Application.
For a critical production quote, send us the substrate, artwork, screen specification, ink system and quantity and we can review the job around the real process.
