Re: DIY CD Platen - How to do screen printing on CDs
Hey Jerid, one more question:
I recently printed my first batch of CD's at a cultural center nearby which as of now is the only space I know of available for rental, and I had to use water-based inks as they said their studio wasn't set up with the proper ventilation for enamel inks...
i was wondering if i try to do this at home how would i clean the ink off of everything after? would i use the thinner to clean everything off?
also, how bad is the enamel ink as far as breathing in? if i do it in a small-medium room with the window open will i be ok?
Re: DIY CD Platen - How to do screen printing on CDs
I would place a fan pointing out of the window, this will get rid of any excess vapors. Use the screen cleaners they recommend for the ink you are using, the thinners work ok, but not as well as the screen cleaners.
As for waterbased inks, what inks are you using? I've heard of a waterbased ink that is designed for more of a conventional print like this, but I have yet to see them. The biggest issue when dealing with CD's is the ink cannot flake off. If it does, it will ruin the CD/DVD reader. If that happens and say you print 100 CD/DVD's then you are not only out the money for what you have into it, you are also out the money to replace some or even all of the devices. Make sure you test every batch after it cures and try to scratch off the ink. If it scratches off easy, don't use that ink, if it is difficult and takes some serious scratching to get any off, then you are ok.
Re: DIY CD Platen - How to do screen printing on CDs
Depending on how strong the fumes are, you may want more ventilation than a fan out a window. Also, depending on how volatile the enamel fumes are, you risk creating an explosive environment by using fans not rated for spark prevention. I doubt screen enamels are that volatile but you will want to check before you try it! Solvents like acetone may not be violently explosive (enclosed containers of it are but free vapors just burn) but they'll still carry a flame along the fumes just as well as a fuse will. You may be better off working entirely outdoors, or something like a garage or room with a sliding glass door so you have a big opening so vapors cannot become concentrated.
Re: DIY CD Platen - How to do screen printing on CDs
The Nazdar ink used for the CD's are not extremely strong in odor. They do have a smell, but Nazdar's coroplast inks are by far the strongest I have used and yes, much better ventilation would be needed. They would be too aggressive for CDs, but the inks I used here can easily be vented with a fan out the window, especially in a more confined space.
Re: DIY CD Platen - How to do screen printing on CDs
Interesting, I wonder if coroplast inks would work on a HDPE barrel but that's going off-topic for things that are low priority to me right now. *makes a note* :P
I tend to be paranoid about fume explosions, as I'm constantly reminding newbies on a prop building forum never to cut the tops off of used barrels (or at least fill the thing with water first if they won't take no for an answer) or it may be the last thing they ever do. FYI, windshield washer fluid fumes are highly explosive.
Re: DIY CD Platen - How to do screen printing on CDs
Without proper ventilation, I'm sure most of these could be explosive. I don't think it's to the point of fear though, I've used them for years and even near heated sources with no problems. That's the pitfalls of most conventional inks. UV inks are much better to work with, especially printing CD/DVD's, but you need to have a UV dryer, and they can get extremely expensive.
DIY CD Platen - How to do screen printing on CDs 
FYI, windshield washer fluid fumes are highly explosive.
