My emulsion application technique - am I doing it right?
Just wanted to make sure my emulsion application technique is correct, maybe get some pointers from the more experienced members.
With the rounded side of the scoop coater, I make one pass on the print side of the screen and then one pass on the squeegee side, with minimal pressure. Then I flip the coater around to the sharp side and do a light scrape on the print side, and then the squeegee side, and then sit it in my drying cabinet, print side down with the sides supported to lift the frame in the air.
Does this sound right? The screens look fine and print ok but I was just wondering.
Re: My emulsion application technique - am I doing it right?
Also, I want to make sure this technique would print thick enough to make plastisol transfers - should I not be scraping off the excess emulsion with the sharp side of the scoop coater? I'm getting good prints when I do that but it looks like the emulsion is very thin. And finally, is it possible to add a second coat of emulsion AFTER the first coat dries if I want it to be thicker on the screen, or do I have to do it all at once?
Re: My emulsion application technique - am I doing it right?
There are different techniques people use, but flipping the coater around is one I have not heard about before.
I have seen some people first coat the outside of the screen once, then the inside of the screen. I do inside first, then outside, then one more coat on the inside.
But you just use the one side of the coater with the angle that fits flush against the mesh as you are coating.
Re: My emulsion application technique - am I doing it right?
Latly i ve been doing just one coat on the shirt side and thats it. Very thin. Ink lays down nice and thin. And yes you can dry and add as many coats as you like to a screen, within reason i suppose.
Re: My emulsion application technique - am I doing it right?
This will depend on your emulsion. The pre mixed photopolymer emulsion like Ulano QTX only needs one coat on each side. Other emulsions may need two or three coats per side.
Remember, ink deposit is determined #1 by mesh count, #2 stencil thickness
Re: My emulsion application technique - am I doing it right?
I get putting QTX on both sides of the screen but am confused about time. I am using a professional light table with suction. My one attempt ended up with my screen adhering to the table - not cool. Any suggestions?
Re: My emulsion application technique - am I doing it right?
?????????
I'll assume a light table with suction is an exposure table with vacuum blanket? If so it sounds like your emulsion isn't completely dry or the exposure lights are creating too much heat and somehow causing your emulsion to break down and goo itself to the glass?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Katie
I get putting QTX on both sides of the screen but am confused about time. I am using a professional light table with suction. My one attempt ended up with my screen adhering to the table - not cool. Any suggestions?
My emulsion application technique - am I doing it right? 
