It's a good policy to try to use the screens with 2 weeks of coating but there are several printers (myself included) that have had screens coated and ready to go for longer than that.
It's a good policy to try to use the screens with 2 weeks of coating but there are several printers (myself included) that have had screens coated and ready to go for longer than that.
THANK YOU!
Could you tell me what type of environment you keep them in?
Inside my shop yesterday it was 95 deg
This time of year when I coat screens I only coat the amount that I need plus 1 or two. I can coat them, Turn on the dryer and in 15 minutes I can be burning.
We currently coat in an amber lit room. Temp is close to 80 at all times. Screens are also kept in there during drying time. Wondering, do any of you use holding/drying cabinets? Also is you're coating room like a dark room with two doors like old film developing room? One closes completely before other opens so there is no outside light getting in?
Last weekend I used a 230 mesh coated screen, it was stored for more than two months,
and the halftone came out just ok.
For the record : it is the firs time I let it sit for so long.
So I don't know if next time it is going to work too.
My shop/basement is very cool, and I stored it in a rack
with doors to keep out light and dust.
I am not too careful now as to keep the whole room completely
dark, as in the past. I keep some fluorescent light on, not directly
over the area, but shining indirectly, besides the yellow lights.
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As Jerry used to say : Profit is not a dirty word.
Last weekend I used a 230 mesh coated screen, it was stored for more than two months,
and the halftone came out just ok.
For the record : it is the firs time I let it sit for so long.
So I don't know if next time it is going to work too.
My shop/basement is very cool, and I stored it in a rack
with doors to keep out light and dust.
I am not too careful now as to keep the whole room completely
dark, as in the past. I keep some fluorescent light on, not directly
over the area, but shining indirectly, besides the yellow lights.
I'd say, as long as you keep you screen storage room cool, dry and dark or with red/yellow lighting, you can keep them for up to a few weeks.
I've even coated a large surplus of screens, dried them in a rack and kept them stacked against the wall in my coating/drying room and I know some of them have been there for a month, maybe longer and I've had no problems.
Great to now guys thank you! We are planning on a slight redesign of our coat out room to incorporate a drying section, cabinet style.
Currently it is painted totally black and has an Amber light in it. One side gets no use at all so we will convert that side into a cabinet style for drying and keep the rest as storage and coating.
We are planning on a slight redesign of our coat out room to incorporate a drying section, cabinet style.
Currently it is painted totally black and has an Amber light in it. One side gets no use at all so we will convert that side into a cabinet style for drying and keep the rest as storage and coating.
If it's all one room, don't build cabinets, just dehumidify the room, and get rid of the water regularly.
Brighten the room by painting it white. You don't have to prevent light bounce with black walls.
Stencils like human conditions
The KIWO spec sheet says:
Dry the screen in complete darkness, or under safelight conditions, with the screen in horizontal position with the substrate side down. Temperature, relative humidity and airflow affect the drying time. The screen must be dried thoroughly before exposing to achieve highest resistance to ink and ink cleaners. A temperature of 86°-104°F (30°-40°C) at a relative humidity of 30% -50% and moderate airflow are optimum conditions. Drying at room temperature and in uncontrolled conditions may lead to inconsistent results and varying screen resistance.
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How are you measuring? retired Ulano Technical Support Screen printing since 1979 - SGIA Academy Member
Coated screen, not exposed life span. 
