By FreakyTeez on
Aug. 19, 2014
Hey I'm having a problem screen printing, I use diazo emulsion and after I burned my image and it's perfect from what I see and inspect. After my first test of the screen it appears a smudge! So I fixed it with tape and the second print the smudge gets worse it even goes through the tape... Can you tell me what's wrong and how to avoid the mistake? P.s my expose unit is a 150 watt and the frame size is 11x14, I expose it for 36mins I let it dry over night. I coat it with emulsion 2 to 3 times each side of the screen. I use water based ink, I got my mesh at Joann's sheer window curtain aisle.
Re: Hi, I'm new and I need help
It's really hard to determine the issue when you're printing fully DYI. But i'm thinking it has to do with your mesh tension if you're stretching them yourself especially if your exposed image looks good.
Here's my suggestion, go to PoconoScreen.com or call them, let them know the screen size and mesh count you need, typically people who are starting out will go with a wood 20x24 110 mesh. Their screen tension is unreal. This should get rid of your issue.
Since you're exposing with a 150 watt work light i can't really tell you if your exposure is good; As long as your design looks good and sharp when its washed out, and your emulsion isn't rubbing off on the print side, you're in good shape. If i were you, after your screen is dry, post exposure the screen for another 30 so minutes, this will harden the emulsion.
@Justin_PalmTees
Re: Hi, I'm new and I need help
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