I’m trying to learn about exposing screens and best practices before I start purchasing equipment. I’ve read that home-built type exposure units are okay, but the best are the ones with a vacuum blanket which is more expensive of course. Are the quality of the screens much different between the systems? In other words, for someone just starting out like myself, would it be worth it? What’s the vacuum for anyways? Thanx to all in advance.
I’ve gone the home built route myself before and you’re right they are “ok”. However, to me a professional exposure unit is all worth it. Just to be clear though, you can build an exposure box with a vacuum frame yourself if you have the time and the technical skills.
I can tell you that a professional exposure unit, from my experience, saves me a lot of time and increases productivity by providing great results consistently and quickly. So in other words more money and less headache. The vacuum frame enables tight contact between the screen, film, and glass. The rubber or neopreme blanket – which is black in the inside – absorbs stray/reflected light. In the end, the result is consistent exposure times with great fine lines and halftones.