an improved method for screen printing fine lines of conductive paste on a substrate wherein a mask having a desired pattern of line shaped openings is placed on the substrate , and conductive paste screened in the openings in the mask in contact with the substrate , and also as a thin layer over the top surface of the mask . the mask is removed from the substrate before the conductive paste in the openings dries , thereby leaving a fine pattern of paste lines with a uniform height on the substrate .