Squeegee Durometer: 60 vs 70 vs 80 vs Triple
Squeegee durometer is the single biggest choice when you buy a screen printing squeegee. The number tells you how hard the blade is — and that changes how much ink you lay down and how sharp the print looks.
| Durometer | Feel | Best for |
|---|
| 60 | Soft | Heavy ink deposits, textured or uneven surfaces |
| 70 | Medium | All-purpose plastisol printing on t-shirts |
| 75 | Medium-firm | Our ready-to-print wood and aluminum handle squeegees ship with 75 durometer blades |
| 80 | Hard | Fine detail, halftones and higher mesh counts |
| 70/90/70 triple | Soft face, rigid core | Crisp, consistent prints with less pressure; production work |
Ready to buy? Shop all screen printing squeegees or browse the squeegee handles and blades category. Pair your blade with the right mesh count and screen printing ink. Questions? Call 480-229-7806.
Squeegee Durometer FAQ
What durometer squeegee is best for shirts?
For plastisol on cotton t-shirts, a 70 durometer blade (or a 70/90/70 triple durometer) is the usual starting point. Go softer (60) for heavier ink deposits or uneven surfaces, and harder (80) for fine detail and halftones on higher mesh counts.
What does squeegee durometer mean?
Durometer is the hardness of the squeegee blade, measured on the Shore A scale. A lower number is a softer blade that flexes and lays down more ink; a higher number is a harder blade that shears ink more cleanly for sharper detail.
What is a triple durometer squeegee?
A triple durometer blade such as 70/90/70 has a stiff 90 durometer core between two 70 durometer layers. The soft face prints like a 70 while the rigid center resists bending, so you get crisp, consistent prints with less pressure.
How long should a screen printing squeegee be?
Pick a squeegee that covers the full width of the image with some room on each side but still fits inside the frame. Blade rolls (144 inches) can be cut to any length for your handles.
