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forbiddenian · August 1st, 2008

For the past week i have been trying to get my screens ready for t-shirts to be pressed and I cannot figure out what am I doing wrong. I follow instructions one by one and nothing works. Here is what I do, if anyone see's anything wrong please let me know....

1. Mix the synthazier with the photo emulsion (speed ball)

2. Once the emulsion is tottally mixed and the color mixture is uniform I place a coating on the screen in a dark room. Well temperate and no humidity.

3. I let is dry for about 1-2 hours with a fan blowing on it.

4. After it is dried I get my transparent paper of my image and my glass and place it on top of the squeege side.

5. I have a black board with also black cloth on it and I have my BA photo flood light of 250 watts about 12in from the top.

6. I let it sit for about 20-30 min like my instructions say. However a couple of times I let it sit for an hour.

7. after that is done i take the screen and wash it off

*However at this point it is not completely burned. It just shows a little yellow outline and nothing more.... Am I doing something wrong?! Man I feel like beating myself in the head for how many times and waste of materials is used!

Fuzz · August 1st, 2008

If it is not washing out then you over-exposed it. If more then just the blocked image washed out then you are under-exposing it.

forbiddenian · August 1st, 2008

How do I not over expose it if I am in the dark? Anything else I can do?

Fuzz · August 1st, 2008

You have to find the right exposure time for your setup each setup is going to be diff so no one can just tell you exactly how long you should expose the image for. Do a search for " step-wedge test", try it and see if that helps.

Also check to make sure your film positive is opaque enough to block the UV. You may need to tape 2 films together to block enough UV.

Post back here after you try that and let us know.

Fuzz · August 1st, 2008

Also try placing a coin on the screen. No UV can get through that so if it washes out correctly and your image doesnt, then you'll know your film isnt blocking the UV.

forbiddenian · August 1st, 2008

I'm using trace paper, do you think I shuold use transparency's?

Fuzz · August 1st, 2008

Tracing paper should work as long as the image printed on it is dark enough to block the UV light.

Try the step wedge test and when you do it place a coin next to the art on each level of the test. That way you find your correct exposure time and you find out if the artwork on the tracing paper is blocking enough UV.