I think what regulates the spread is the volume of glass used not whether I use kiln wash or fibre paper. I tend to use the thicker paper because I prefer the finish it leaves on the base of the melt. I haven't used a metal screen because I've got resonable results making different sized holes in terracotta pots which are used once and then thrown away. I'm more into lampwork beads and jewellery these days too so I use some of my left over Spectrum and Bullseye glass cut into strips for that.
Kiln wash
I think what regulates the spread is the volume of glass used not whether I use kiln wash or fibre paper. I tend to use the thicker paper because I prefer the finish it leaves on the base of the melt. I haven't used a metal screen because I've got resonable results making different sized holes in terracotta pots which are used once and then thrown away. I'm more into lampwork beads and jewellery these days too so I use some of my left over Spectrum and Bullseye glass cut into strips for that.