Metal Materials
Metal is one of the common materials for ink squeegees, mainly including stainless steel, copper, and aluminum. Stainless steel ink squeegees are highly corrosion-resistant, sturdy, and durable, suitable for scraping thick inks; copper ink squeegees are moderately heavy and produce clean scraping edges, but are not corrosion-resistant; aluminum ink squeegees are lightweight and produce good scraping edges, but are not very sturdy.
- Advantages: Metal ink squeegees have high hardness and durability, and can scrape thick inks.
- Disadvantages: Relatively heavy, not comfortable to hold, and prone to rusting.
- Purchase Recommendations: Different materials should be selected based on printing requirements and personal preferences. Stainless steel or copper ink squeegees are good choices.
Plastic Materials
Plastic ink squeegees are lighter than metal ink squeegees, have an attractive appearance, and are relatively inexpensive. At the same time, plastic ink squeegees have a relatively moderate hardness and elasticity, produce clean scraping edges, and will not damage the printing plate like metal ink squeegees.
- Advantages: Lightweight, rust-free, and inexpensive.
- Disadvantages: Plastic squeegees have lower hardness and are less durable than metal squeegees.
- Purchase Recommendation: If your budget is relatively low, or if you need to use squeegees in large-volume printing, plastic squeegees are a good choice.
Rubber Material
Compared to plastic squeegees, rubber squeegees have a softer, smoother cutting edge. Rubber squeegees utilize the elasticity of rubber to form a curved printing blade, effectively increasing the contact area between the blade and the printing plate, resulting in clearer printing.
- Advantages: Rubber squeegees have a soft cutting edge and good ink scraping effect, suitable for printing on fragile materials or applications requiring high precision.
- Disadvantages: Low wear resistance, requiring frequent replacement.
- Purchase Recommendation: If high-precision printing or a soft substrate is required, rubber squeegees are a more ideal choice.
In general, the choice of squeegee material depends mainly on the specific printing scenario and personal preference, requiring a combination of factors. When purchasing squeegees, factors such as the smoothness, rigidity, and durability of the cutting edge should also be considered.
