grant

I just started silk screen printing as a hobby and dont where it will go as far as business but right now I'm just learning the whole deal step by step. I have a couple of questions:

1) Can I mix paints? I have a few designs that use different shades of one color and I was wondering if its fine to mix them (to cut costs) and if they come out ok. I'm not sure if they're different then regular art paints. Also is there a brand you would recommend? Looking for something inexpensive in pints that would be fine for shirts and posters.

2) I dont have a good exposure set up but used a 120w photo light I had. I exposed for 30mins and the image took a while to clean out. In the end it didn't clean it out as well as I hoped and I was wondering why this would happen. Does it have to do w/ overexposing or underexposing? Emulsion to thick? Or is it simply the fact that I need the better light for exposing?

3) Is there anyway to know what mesh count i have on my frames? I have one 10x14 that is a wooden one and then I have two big metal ones (about 3'x4') that I was given years ago.


Thanks,

 

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cchampsports

I would guess you overexposed. Also depending what kind of emulsion you are using, some expose faster than others. 30 min sounds like a really long time. Even when I use a cheaper brand/type it is not exposed for more than 12.5-13.5 min. I would try cutting the time down. Is there an exposure time reccomened on the emulsion.

 

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grant

The exposure time table is for a 5KW halide lamp. The emulsion was ProChem DXP Diazo-Photopolymer Dual Cure Direct Emulsion. I'll try cutting down the time and seeing if that works better. I read online that people who were using 250w bulbs exposed for about 15 mins. So i figured to go longer.

 

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CrazyTeeShirts

Yes, you can mix plastisol inks. That exposure time is way to long for dual core emulsion. I would try 12-13 min and see if the results are better.

 

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Solmu

Quote: Originally Posted by grant Can I mix paints?

They're inks, not paints, and yes, you can mix them.

Quote: Originally Posted by grant I'm not sure if they're different then regular art paints.

Not really. Waterbased ink at least behaves a fair bit like acrylic paint.

Quote: Originally Posted by grant Is there anyway to know what mesh count i have on my frames?

Have a good look on the edge of the frame and on the front of the mesh to see if it's written anywhere - most screenmakers will write the mesh count on the front. If there's definitely no markings you'd need to count it (like with a loupe and a pin).

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