Kristinopolis

HI! I'm in the process of trying to figure out how to properly use this emulsion we have. I used to work at a plastisol ink print shop before and we had a totally different kind of emulsion. It was very thin, and we had to use 3 layers of it total on each screen. Now the stuff at the new place im working at for water-based inks, is very thick, and the only way we've gotten it to work at all is with only one layer.

My co-worker asked me to pick out a new emulsion to try. I would like to hear what your favorite emulsions are, and why!

I also was wondering about getting a finer design on my screens. I have to be very delicate with the water, and still even then, I am still seeing little specks of emulsion that don't want to come off. I do have a theory - I did not let the screens dry for very long, only a few hours. I read somewhere on this forum that you should let them dry for 24 hours before burning them. Do you think that this would be the reason I am not getting a crisp image? I did try it but the image didn't see much improvement at all.. The emulsion I am using is called ProChem DXP Pink. My co-worker also kept calling it Diazo, so im sure that has some type of importance to the type of emulsion it is...

I've noticed that when people ask a specific question like this, you guys have the poster list out exactly what process they are using, so I'll give it my best shot. We are using a variety of mesh types with our screens, (which makes it even more confusing) and I've only been using one layer of the emulsion. Also, when I tried to print with one of these screens the other day, it seemed like moisture was getting through the emulsion, I was trying to tape out a few pinholes and the masking tape wouldn't stick to the back of the screen. I've never had this problem before but I figure it's from only having one layer of emulsion. I'm going to re-coat some screens with two layers today and burn them tomorrow and see what happens. The light exposure unit we use looks like black lights. I know its not black lights but I can't remember exactly what it is but I figure someone here might know what kind it is.

I know I ramble on a lot, but hopefully this will help me figure this all out soon, all the printing I've been doing has been very inconsistent and very time consuming. I also have customers waiting for these shirts!


Thanks everyone for anyone's help and or input!

Kristinopolis

 

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InkedApparel

sounds like you are using a dual cure diazo emulsion.....which means you have to add a sensitizer to the emulsion so it will be UV sensitive.humidity will effect the way your screens burn so try to dry them in a low humidity area.use a dehumidifier if possible.

also try a 1/1 coat .
start on the shirt side and coat ...then coat the squeegee side
then lay horizontal to dry

I dry my screens over night but others say a few hours is good enough.

also how long are you burning the screens for?
do you use a step wedge test to calculate the correct burn time?

I just read your other post about using water based inks only........if you are using water based inks with a pink diazo emulsion..then that could be the problem, because a pink emulsion is for plastisol inks and will break down with water based inks ......the water based inks have water in them and the pink emulsion breaks down with water.... try a emulsion for water based inks .....

Inked

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Kristinopolis

Okay, that helped a bit. I'm surely but slowly figuring it out. So, I looked around online and found "Ulano QTX" emulsion? It was weird, we just randomly had it, left over from a friend of mine that took a screen printing class. Anyways, the stuff worked amazingly, the lines were VERY clear, and I only let the emulsion dry for a few hours. On top of that I totally just guessed on the amount of time to burn it and it sprayed out perfectly. WOW!!! HOW OFTEN DOES THAT HAPPEN?? hahaha.

Also - what is this step wedge test? I've seen that other posters mentioned different types of ways to test the burn time for a screen - does it matter what way you test it? is there any way I can print something out so I dont have to buy it? that would be really cool... but unlikely.

Thanks, Inked, for the help so far! I'm super excited to be on this forum and to be printing.

Kristinopolis

 

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