fourzerosix

I have been screenprinting for nearly a year. I recently had a request to do halftones. I bought the Accurip software and an Epson 2200 printer. I am using 55 lpi at 22.5 degrees. I am planning to burn the images on yellow 305 mesh.

My question is, can I burn the image effectively with my current lamp system? My burning station doesn't have a vacuum. I basically have a halogen light that hovers over the screen to burn it. I lay a large sheet of glass over the transparency so it stays as close to the screen as possible. It has worked fine for all my regular images. Before I wasted my time I thought I'd get some input from more experienced printers. Thanks for your time and help!

Pete

 

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chuckh

Pete, try this...get a piece of foam rubber that you might use in a sofa cushion. Cut it so that it fits inside your frame, edge to edge, and is 3"-4" thick. Weigh down your glass so that it begins to compress the foam.
Also, change your dpi to 40-45. It should be fine. Good luck!

 

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marcelolopez

I have posted my first halftone yesterday.
I use a 500 watt halogen light, in a wood box, where the light is at the bottom, and at about 16 inches over it is the glass, where the screen sits.
The advantage is I place the screen facing down, a cardboard in top and 4 bricks over it. A very good pressure
against the glass.
The screen is a 230 mesh, I tried 55 lpi and 25 deg.
For being my first halftone I am very satisfied.
The time was 10 minutes.

For this job, Chuck's suggestion might work. But there will not be as much pressure as with
the weight of the bricks over it.

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fourzerosix

Thank you both for your help and suggestions. I really appreciate it. I think I'll try Chuck's suggestion first because I don't have to build any new equipment. The second idea sounds good as well. I may try that in the future. I saw your first post about doing halftones! Congratulations. I like the motorcycle on the light blue shirt. It looks great. Hopefully my first half-tones will turn out as good as yours did. Thanks again!

 

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PositiveDave

There is no substitute for a vacuum but you can mitigate the undercutting by moving your light away from the screen and giving a longer exposure.

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out da box

I totally agree with Dave, there is no substitute for a vacuum hold down.

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