Screen Printing

[Site Man]

OLD FORUM POSTS

Posted by Robin Sharrard on March 25, 2004

Sarah King made an interesting comment in the post on the order of process, in saying that she had a lot of wonderful ideas with regards to the chemical gilding process, but needed to learn screen printing first. This would be a really good subject to start a thread on, to see what everyone else does in terms of sreen types and mesh counts, favorite mixing formulas, etc...
I for one like a 200 mesh screen, Esoteric's back up, although Ron Percell's new back-up has promis. I'm still using a double coat of emulsion based screen coating as I can't seem to get the capilary films to work right. I'm also still experimenting with the right mixture of reducer, hardner, to back-up ratio. I'm also using a 70 durameter squeege...and I need a spelling checker! Most of which I've learned at Rick's and the last couple of times I've had the pleasure of attending a get together with some of the folks that frequent this web site.
Robin

Mike Jackson

Hi Robin,
I believe there are quite a few people on this Forum that know a lot about this subject. You are probably wanting to focus your questions towards a small operation and maybe short run glass or vertical glass work as opposed to a full service screen shop. Right?

Screens: Frame recommendations, tension, mesh, screen fabric

Squeegee: Kinds and specs

Emulsions and Films: Recommended kins and specifics

Film Positives: Options for hand cut and photographic

Exposure Units: Kinds, sizes, Vacuum, ect

Exposure Times:

Washout Basin or Sink: Pressure, warm water, etc

Screen Table: Kinds, sizes, vacuum?

Tips and Techniques - Sources - Links

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I have a low budget set up here using Sunbelt wood frame screens, emulsion, carbon arc lamp, shower stall washout, 3x4 plywood/formica table and inexpensive screen clamps. A vacuum exposure frame and exposure light would be much better.

Mike

Robin Sharrard

Your correct Mike, I have a full blown screen printing shop with vacum exposure unit, vacum table, 8 color press and conveyor drying system, and all kinds of wood and aluminum screens, plus a wide range of squeeges, all associated with textile printing and some vinyl decal work. I'm sure there are a lot of foks just starting out that realy don't know what can be done or how to get started with a limited budget and work space. You've got a pretty good list going for your needs, and as far as actualy making the screen, you could take your file to a good screen shop and have them made for you, although you would have to consider the cost involved. There are some pretty resonible places on the web that will produce some high quality films for a very resonible price as well. A good resource for information is the US Screen Printing Institute, www.screenprinters.net, they have a wide range of bulliten boads associated with all kinds of screen printing needs, as well as a wide range of products and free articles on basic screen printing.

Robin

Mike Jackson - Positives

Hi Robin,
I meant to include the fact we use our Gerber Edge2 to make almost all the film positives. I know I can print jet black up to 11.75 inches without needing any kind of splice. Most of our glass pieces are 14" or smaller. If I did need a spliced image, I'd make sure the splice did not go across any lettering or image. Also, smaller is better! The larger the screen, the tougher it can get and especially so in vertical screen printing.

At the old shop we had a 48" x 54" vacuum exposure unit, using a carbon arc lamp. With little space and limited needs, I just use a piece of glass to hold the film positive down and clamps to hold the 1/8" glass to the screen. From the back, I have a piece of black velvet pressed against the inside of the screen with foam cushions or pads, held in place with a piece of masonite (also held by the spring clamps). It's not high tech, but works for most of the screens I make.

Mike

Sarah King

Yeah, Robin - right on. Like what is your favorite how-to book? And any other really basic stuff. Might as well begin at the begining.