printing table suggestions

[supereightsnate]

hey all,

so i'm moving to a new studio, and have awesome work tables to use as printing tables, EXCEPT the table surface is plywood. What should i cover it with to make a good printing surface? i was thinking formica, but not sure where to get it, and how expensive.

what do ya'all think?

thanks

[squeegeethree]

If you're not turning them into vacuum tables then cover then with glass (with white underneath). This is a great surface to work on as you can clean anything off of it.

[supereightsnate]

If you're not turning them into vacuum tables then cover then with glass (with white underneath). This is a great surface to work on as you can clean anything off of it.

that sounds like a good idea. but should i worry about bumping an aluminum screen edge on it and cracking it? i plan on installing a counterweight pulley method for the screens...

[squeegeethree]

that sounds like a good idea. but should i worry about bumping an aluminum screen edge on it and cracking it? i plan on installing a counterweight pulley method for the screens...

Get double density and it shouldn't be a problem. You can use a little Super 77 or photo mount to hold the paper down and it'll clean up with water and a razor.

[Nicholas Wilson]

Get double density and it shouldn't be a problem. You can use a little Super 77 or photo mount to hold the paper down and it'll clean up with water and a razor.

totally read "get double dentistry" and thought:

WHATEVER THAT IS I NEED IT.

[four0onestudio]

hellooo down there in troy... what part of the ghett.... i mean troy are you from?
:-p

[caribou]

you might be able to get a chunk of formica from any of you local cabnitry companys. i got mine from lowe's. super cheap, too, since it had some damage along one side, but it didn't affect how i was going to use it.

[Andymac]

I buy offcuts from the local cabinet shop for 5-$10. contact cement both surfaces.

[KENTDESIGNS]

My local lumberyard has a cheap-ass countertop that can be bought by the foot. It has a 3" backsplash and a bullnosed front but both of those were cut off for the min cutting charge of $1. Everything wipes off this thing with some Goo-Gone and it's tough as nails. Very smooth too. It was less than $20...might have been less than $10. Great printing surface for posters and smaller pieces are on my shirt press for screening kids clothes. Look into it.

[ImJustRickG]

Your screen shouldn't touch the glass anyhow. On my handtable I use folded paper towels for my off-contact (hai, Looba!) and the frame never touches the table top.

But really, just build a vac table. It will cost you like $35 and will pay dividends IMMEDIATELY.