ok here`s the problem i have jus started trying to learn how to silk screen and i notice when i burn my images into the screen it takes a long long time to washout the image. sometimes i have to used a toothbrush on the screen to get the image cleared out! (now when i say cleaned out i dont mean cleaning the whole screen, i just want to clear out the image so that the ink can pass through!) now here`s what i doing exposing my transparency for 10 - 15 min (still getting the same results with both time limiteds) im gettng them printed at officemax and they are using "STANDARD" black ink. (can that be it?) cuz the ink is not opaque and i can see thru it! whats the problem?
Your film is definatley the problem. You shouldn't have any light come through the film. Try changing your ink setting or put two films on top of each other to make it more opaque.
After spending lots of time with the experts from Ulano/Kiwo they stated and we use a 1500psi power washer to was out the image for printing. Try one. It works great.
I never use a pressure washer to washout the image after burning a screen...save the pressure washer for reclaiming.......seems like to me you are burning to long...try cutting the time in half and see if it is any easier to wash out the screen.....you should invest in a step wedge test to pinpoint the best exposure time for your setup......if you can see light through the film...then you need to tell whoever is printing them for you to make them as dark as they can.....if light is getting through where the image area is , then it is getting exposed..thats why it is so difficult to wash out.
I never use a pressure washer to washout the image after burning a screen...save the pressure washer for reclaiming.......seems like to me you are burning to long...try cutting the time in half and see if it is any easier to wash out the screen.....you should invest in a step wedge test to pinpoint the best exposure time for your setup......if you can see light through the film...then you need to tell whoever is printing them for you to make them as dark as they can.....if light is getting through where the image area is , then it is getting exposed..thats why it is so difficult to wash out.
Inked
Maybe you don't use a powerwasher to wash your image right but is it the recomended way of the manufacturer that spends lots of time and money on R&D for their products. Have u talked personally to the techs at Ulano/Kiwo or any other emulsion company? We use their emulsion and have spent times in seminars and have had them at our shop to help on things and they show us new products. They know better about their products than anyone else and they say to use a 1500 psi power washer. We use one and my printer of 24 years experience had never done this before was amazed at how clean the screen washed out, especially on the edges. Also according to them 95% of all screen printers under expose their screens,
When I first started I had officemax print a couple transparencies for me.
I guarantee that they are not opaque enough.
While I was there I bought a 50 pack of 3M inkjet transparencies for ~$50. Printed the same image with my crappy HP all in one on regular settings and got a positive that was 10 times better.
I doubled them up for the first few screens, then noticed on a big image that I had to tile, the overlapped areas (4 layers deep) washed out within a couple seconds while the rest took a couple minutes.
I adjusted the print settings to the highest possible, and get a VERY usable positive without doubling up. If I double it up it's 100% visibly opaque.
If you have a printer, spend the $50 and buy the transparencies. You'll save yourself endless headaches. Even if you can't print 100% opaque films you can always double them up to make up for it, plus you don't have to go to officemax.
Maybe you don't use a powerwasher to wash your image right but is it the recomended way of the manufacturer that spends lots of time and money on R&D for their products. Have u talked personally to the techs at Ulano/Kiwo or any other emulsion company? We use their emulsion and have spent times in seminars and have had them at our shop to help on things and they show us new products. They know better about their products than anyone else and they say to use a 1500 psi power washer. We use one and my printer of 24 years experience had never done this before was amazed at how clean the screen washed out, especially on the edges. Also according to them 95% of all screen printers under expose their screens,
no ..... I havent spoken to anyone from Ulano......I dont use a pressure washer to washout the screens ...I washout with a regular garden hose with a regular spray nossle.....all of the screens I have washed out came out really nice ...clean , crisp edges.....I do however use a 21 step wedge test strip on every screen I burn...so I dont think Im am under exposing my screens....I guess its personal preference whether to use a pressure washer or not......so if 95% of screen printers are under exposing and then using a pressure washer to washout screen..I think thats conponding the problems..so until they get there exposure down correctly .....I wouldnt advise them to use a pressure washer.
You can also try double printing the transparency. most printer will work ok. I use Epson and it works.
Philip
Quote:
Originally Posted by studog79
Maybe you don't use a powerwasher to wash your image right but is it the recomended way of the manufacturer that spends lots of time and money on R&D for their products. Have u talked personally to the techs at Ulano/Kiwo or any other emulsion company? We use their emulsion and have spent times in seminars and have had them at our shop to help on things and they show us new products. They know better about their products than anyone else and they say to use a 1500 psi power washer. We use one and my printer of 24 years experience had never done this before was amazed at how clean the screen washed out, especially on the edges. Also according to them 95% of all screen printers under expose their screens,
no ..... I havent spoken to anyone from Ulano......I dont use a pressure washer to washout the screens ...I washout with a regular garden hose with a regular spray nossle.....all of the screens I have washed out came out really nice ...clean , crisp edges.....I do however use a 21 step wedge test strip on every screen I burn...so I dont think Im am under exposing my screens....I guess its personal preference whether to use a pressure washer or not......so if 95% of screen printers are under exposing and then using a pressure washer to washout screen..I think thats conponding the problems..so until they get there exposure down correctly .....I wouldnt advise them to use a pressure washer.
Inked
If you expose it properly then you will want to wash your image out properly using a power washer.
Must also keep in mind that 95% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
95% of all information given could be wrong. It could be like telling someone that a cost of a shirt using gold shimmer is ok but they don't know what gold shimmer is. Consider your source. Like I say call the experts at your emulsion company. They make the product and support it thru R&D. I was passing on what the technical experts like Dave Dennings at Kiwo/Ulano has discussed with us.
Yeah, a good positive will give satisfactory result to your burning even if you make it for 10-15 mins exposure, no problem at all.
If your print source is not that good in printing transparencies with black... then try printing your transparencies with "RED", with this I am sure no UV can pass thru... you can never be overburned.
When i started out i also had the same problems as you in terms of washout, but i tried a variety things and this is wot i found to improve my washout.
1. Always double up on ur transperancy paper and print must always be in black (alternative red).
2. ensure that the running pressure of of wot ever ur using is quite strong whether its a garden hose or a power washer ( i use a garden hose it just turn it up full blast when ever i washout)
3. Apply emulsion to ur screen and leave it in ur dark box for a couple of days before you set and exposure it.
4. always put the original transperancy in a place where u can see it during the washout this way you are sure on what parts of the image ur washing out.
Hope this help you.
I think your exposure timeline is ok though as this is the same sort of timeline i use when i expose my screens.
please help im new at silk screen 
