vickie_gould@yah

I have been using my hobby speedball stuff for a few months now. And since I've been able to sell stuff and I see an interest, I'd like to be more professional. I have already gotten the Matsui ink, but now I need to upgrade my screens and method. I've been doing the speedball drawing fluid and screen filler to hand draw designs. I'd love to start using the computer, plus sometimes I get requests for text on shirts.

I just read a thread about emulsion and washing it out down the household tub and how it's really bad. How do people do this at home then? I don't have a separate basin, nor is it possible for me to install anything. So does that automatically nix the whole emulsion method for me?

If it doesn't mean nixing this idea, I'm having a hard time figuring out what I need to buy.... of course I need my aluminum screens and mesh, then a scoop coater, yellow light bulb and my pre-sensitized emulsion. What else do I need? I need the exposure light (how do I do that cheap? I tried the StencilPro and I have this setup Make Your Own Compact Fluorescent Exposure Light for PhotoEZ and StencilPro Project Guide) and do I need stuff to scrub the screen, like degreasers and ink cleaners -- what's all that stuff for? It's so confusing!

Thanks for your help!

Vickie

 

Reply With Quote

InkedApparel

Hi Vickie.
I started screen printing in my garage about 2 months ago...i watched a ton of videos on youtube.com for about 2 weeks before i bought anything.... you actually need alot of things to go from screen printing as a hobby to screen printing as a pro.

check out Silk Screening Supplies .com, screen printing equipment, silk screen printing kits

thats where i bought all my equipment..as far as the emulsion being bad for the drain....everything i have heard is its ok to wash out screens in a tub or shower.hope this helps

P.S do you live in NY?

Inked

__________________
Inked Apparel Direct
custom screen printing

 

Reply With Quote

vickie_gould@yah

Quote: Originally Posted by InkedApparel Hi Vickie. I started screen printing in my garage about 2 months ago...i watched a ton of videos on youtube.com for about 2 weeks before i bought anything.... you actually need alot of things to go from screen printing as a hobby to screen printing as a pro. check out Silk Screening Supplies .com, screen printing equipment, silk screen printing kits thats where i bought all my equipment..as far as the emulsion being bad for the drain....everything i have heard is its ok to wash out screens in a tub or shower.hope this helps P.S do you live in NY? Inked

Thanks. I've been to that site and actually have my shopping cart started there, but I hate paying shipping on a small item that I didn't know I needed (therefore, this thread).

Nope, don't live in NY. I live in the hip hoppin' great economy state of Michigan.

Vickie

 

Reply With Quote

midwaste

Most emulsion removers/destencilers say the resulting runoff is safe for drain to treatment facility. Unless you are on a septic tank, you are fine to wash it down the drain. It's what everyone else does.

What size screens are you using? That exposure light will not work.. Search the forums for DIY halogen exposure. Lots of people (including myself) use the 500W halogen for exposure. It's much slower than MH, but it works fine, and it should cost you about $20.
Get a step exposure gauge. Seriously, buy one and save yourself some time and headaches.
You will need some sort of large sink area to wash your designs out. Some people use their bathtub, and a sprayer attachment, but you will make a mess, and over time, your tub will start to turn the color of your emulsion, so pick a color you like..

You will need destenciler/emulsion remover to reclaim your screens, as noted above. You will need some sort of ink remover for waterbased. I am not sure what people use for that. When reclaiming your screens, you will need a high-pressure water source. A pressure washer is nice, but you can get by with a garden hose nozzle with a fine stream.

 

Reply With Quote

vickie_gould@yah

Quote: Originally Posted by midwaste Most emulsion removers/destencilers say the resulting runoff is safe for drain to treatment facility. Unless you are on a septic tank, you are fine to wash it down the drain. It's what everyone else does. What size screens are you using? That exposure light will not work.. Search the forums for DIY halogen exposure. Lots of people (including myself) use the 500W halogen for exposure. It's much slower than MH, but it works fine, and it should cost you about $20. Get a step exposure gauge. Seriously, buy one and save yourself some time and headaches. You will need some sort of large sink area to wash your designs out. Some people use their bathtub, and a sprayer attachment, but you will make a mess, and over time, your tub will start to turn the color of your emulsion, so pick a color you like.. You will need destenciler/emulsion remover to reclaim your screens, as noted above. You will need some sort of ink remover for waterbased. I am not sure what people use for that. When reclaiming your screens, you will need a high-pressure water source. A pressure washer is nice, but you can get by with a garden hose nozzle with a fine stream.

We live in the country and have a septic field. Am I hosed then?

Vickie

 

Reply With Quote

midwaste

I would check with whatever emulsion manufacturer you choose (I like Ulano). It should be fine in a septic, with proper emulsion remover.

 

Reply With Quote

vickie_gould@yah

Quote: Originally Posted by midwaste I would check with whatever emulsion manufacturer you choose (I like Ulano). It should be fine in a septic, with proper emulsion remover.

I don't really have to worry about it for rinsing out a design, right? Maybe I'll just rinse outside when the weather's nice.

 

Reply With Quote

aaltier

Quote: Originally Posted by vickie_gould@yah We live in the country and have a septic field. Am I hosed then? Vickie

I have always used a garden hose, outside, in the shade. I soak my screens, both sides, let it sit for about 40 secs, then just blast it clear with the jet or stream setting. I get crisp, clean lines. However, I do use a 8 bulb exposure unit with a pressure lid. I think you should be more concerned about a decent exposure unit, because if the screens don't expose correctly, they won't rinse! Good luck

 

Reply With Quote

midwaste

If you are going to rinse your screens outside, why worry about the septic field, it's the same thing.

 

Reply With Quote

Solmu

Quote: Originally Posted by midwaste If you are going to rinse your screens outside, why worry about the septic field, it's the same thing.

Doesn't a septic field have plantlife in it to deal with effluent? So if the chemical run-off caused the plantlife to die, that would be why worry.

It's my understanding that washing out emulsion onto the soil (where it can get into the water table) is not a great idea. Not really my area though.

I definitely agree with your earlier advice; contact the emulsion manufacturer for advice.

__________________
Ceci n'est pas une autographe.

 

Reply With Quote