If you’ve been around a press long enough, you know that not all squeegees are created equal. One of the most underrated tools in screen printing, your squeegee’s durometer (aka hardness) can make or break your print quality—and your sanity on press.
Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right squeegee durometer depending on the job at hand.
Softer Squeegees (55-65 durometer)
What they do:
Lay down more ink. Softer rubber bends easier, which means more ink gets pushed through the screen.
Best for:
- Printing directly to substrate, especially on textured or absorbent materials
- Laying down heavier ink deposits
- Specialty inks like puff or shimmer where you need that ink to sit on the fabric
Harder Squeegees (70-80 durometer)
What they do:
Lay down less ink. These squeegees flex less, allowing for more control and sharper detail. You’ll get a thinner, cleaner deposit.
Best for:
- Printing over an underbase
- High-detail artwork or fine halftones
- Reducing ink buildup on your screens
Triple Durometer Squeegees (e.g., 70/90/70 or 65/90/65)
What they do:
Give you the best of both worlds. These squeegees have a soft edge for better ink flow and a hard inner core (usually 90 duro) to prevent the blade from bending too much under pressure.
Why we love them:
- Super consistent prints across longer runs
- They don’t mushroom out over time like a straight soft blade
- Great for highlight whites or detail screens, even when printing direct-to-garment
Quick Recommendations
- Underbase printing: Go with a 55/90/55 to 65/90/65 triple durometer. You want a soft edge but a firm backbone to push plastisol through a heavier stencil without distortion.
- Highlight white or high-detail screen (direct to substrate): Use a 70-80 duro single or a 70/90/70 triple. You’ll get crisp detail without flooding the garment.
- Specialty ink or textured substrate: Lean toward a 60 duro single. Softer blades help lay down enough ink to activate the effect.
Pro Tip: It’s Not Just About Durometer
Squeegee angle, pressure, stroke speed, and even ink viscosity also play a huge role in your final print. But durometer is one of the foundations—it sets the tone for everything else.
