The squeegee is a base essential production accessory used in the screen printing process. It pushes ink through a stencil, which is developed before this process, and onto the substrate. Squeegees come in different types of materials, but aluminum and wooden handle squeegees are the most commonly used. We're going to explore the top reasons why screen printers prefer to choose aluminum squeegees over the traditional wooden variants. Happy Reading! We agree that the most important advantage of using an aluminum squeegee is that it has the ability to create consistency. Consistency is an important factor when it comes to your clients choosing you for their custom merch over another printer. They have a smooth surface that lets ink distribute very easier across substrates, and this can be readily demonstrated when working on large-scale printing projects where even the most minor differences in ink pressure and application can cause defects in the final print. Wooden squeegees can also easily break or warp with extended use, while aluminum squeegees are made from sturdy, easy to clean, and long-lasting material that can tolerate high temperatures and hazardous chemicals. They are the more cost-effective option in the long run because they don't need frequent replenishment compared to wooden handle squeegees. 

Aluminum squeegees are also considerably more ergonomic. The lightweight nature of aluminum makes it easier to apply pressure where needed. For manual screen printers using our Badass Manual Squeegee - this makes repetitive strain injuries or fatigue during long jobs a thing of the past. Additionally, our BAMS has a soft grip handle, almost like an exercise bike handle, that makes printing more comfortable for the user. Have you ever tried to clean a wooden squeegee? Well, since aluminum squeegees are not porous, meaning there will be no ink staining or absorption, they can be cleaned quicker and more thoroughly than a wooden handle squeegee. It's very hard to ensure that all traces of ink are removed from wood. If you aren't yet convinced, keep reading!

In terms of versatility, aluminum squeegees work better with different types of ink like plastisol, water-based inks, UV inks, or other specialty inks because there is no risk of these inks damaging the aluminum material. So you can print that crazy graphic with glitter! This expands your shop's printing capabilities overall and gives you a top advantage over those printing with wooden squeegees. If you decide to purchase any product from us, we only offer the best production accessories, which include our infamous aluminum EZ-Clean Squeegees for automatic screen printers and our Badass Manual Squeegee for manual printers. Some traditional printers would probably say that wooden handle squeegees have an "aesthetic appeal" but we believe that quality is at the top of the most wanted list. This makes aluminum squeegees the absolute best for most screen printers in this industry. Reach out to us today and give them a try!