Discuss the different types of equipment needed for screen printing. Topics include manual screen printing presses, automatic presses, dryers, folding machines, starter kits and high end machines.
I love printing and sales. I am also learning to like doing the artwork but the screen cleaning is kicking my butt. Currently, I spray an ink remover detergent on the screens and then scrub. I then pressure wash the screen. After that, I spray emulsion remover and SCRUB. Finally, I pressure wash and flood the screena final time with fresh water. There has to be a better way.
I am a garage printer and I do printing as a second job. I'm spending too much time, money and energy on screen maintenance.
Is there a machine out there which is like my wife's dish washer but for screens? Of course, it has to be cheap and simple and reliable. If I'm dreaming, I might as well ask for it all!
I love printing and sales. I am also learning to like doing the artwork but the screen cleaning is kicking my butt. Currently, I spray an ink remover detergent on the screens and then scrub. I then pressure wash the screen. After that, I spray emulsion remover and SCRUB. Finally, I pressure wash and flood the screena final time with fresh water. There has to be a better way.
I am a garage printer and I do printing as a second job. I'm spending too much time, money and energy on screen maintenance.
Is there a machine out there which is like my wife's dish washer but for screens? Of course, it has to be cheap and simple and reliable. If I'm dreaming, I might as well ask for it all!
Thanks
Rough hand Todd
The 3rd step is to use a degreaser. This is the most important step.
You can get a dip tank to help with steps 1 & 2 but i wouldn't use it with wooden frames.
There are machines out there that will clean the screens for you. But that's where your dream ends. They are expensive, bulky and most don't do a good enough job so you end up getting your hands dirty anyway.
As a former GARAGE BUSINESS start-up, I can help you with some tricks.
Here is a question for you.
1. How much money do you have to invest in your business. Right now Id say not much. So instead of buying everything that has timers and buzzers on it- Build it.
1. Dip tanks are a great way to save time and money. If you cannot affor one- Get a fridge and turn it on its back and line it concrete or plastic.
Fill the Freezer side with reclamer and the fridge side with degreaser. This one step has saved me hours in the cleanup process.
2. Instead of using TAPE to blockout the screens- Try using some blockout or use old emultion to cover the edges of the screen. This way during your recovery process you wont have to deal with all the tape to get off the screens or the residue left behind.
3. Use a solvent tank to remove the ink off of your screens instead of all those chemicals in a can that you spray on the screens and wipe off. If you cant afford a solvent tank, MAKE ONE out of a Plasic tote-5 Gallon jug of mineral spirits and a pump with a solvent brush.
4. USE DEGREASER- SIMPLE GREEN works wonders and goes a long way.
5. Washout booth can be made with an old dicarded shower stall Plexi glass and a light
I know that cleaning screens is the dirtiest job and no-one likes to do it, but it the MOST IMPORTANT ONE THAT THERE IS!!!!
If the screens dont get clean right the first time,youll just have to keep on cleaning the screens over and over untill you get it right.
Everytime I train someone on how to clean screens I show them how I clean the screens and tell them that this is the way I want them to do it. 9 times out of 10 when I come back they have tried some other way of cleaning the screens thats faster or eiser for them but that only causes the screen not to get clean in the long run.
The only problem I see with a dip tank is getting rid of the crap that'll settle in the bottom. Some folks like them and some have had them and got rid of them. I generally clean my stuff up at the end of the day and start drinking beer and singing to myself while I do it. It ain't a pretty picture, but it passes the time and you'll at least think it's not as unpleasant as it is while you're getting toasted.
The commercial emulsion remover is made with Sodium Metaperiodate and works quite well. You can make your own, but it will cost more than the commercial products as you will not be able to buy in bulk.
Bleach can be used, but will damage the mesh to some degree, as well as anything else it comes into contact with. Wear protective safety gear at all times when using bleach, especially goggles to protect the eyes. I have seen more than one screenprinter with bleach spots on their retina. It ain't pretty!
An important note is that underexposed emulsion is extremely difficult to remove and sometimes impossible. Once a screen has been exposed and developed, all of the unexposed (unhardended) emulsion is washed away and further hardening cannot take place. Be sure that you have a full exposure that will polymerize the emulsion. Unless it is crosslinked you will have problems. You can purchase a Step Wedge Exposure Calculator at screenprintstore.com for a mere pittance in comparison to the cost of emulsion remover and new mesh.
I have this, bought it in texas at the screen printing show, LOVE IT!!! 3 screens at a time in the tank, 3 min to wash and degrease. Super time saver, and it will do around 300-500 screens before buying new chemical.
Screen cleaning machine 
