[map1984]

Hi,
I've just tried my frist ever screen print, it went very well and is a brilliant effect.
I found the clean up difficult though, I was using a water based ink, I've used water and a paper towel on the silk, but I'm worried about being too rough- though I'm also worried about the ink staining the screen!
So my screen now has some black ink stains on it, even after washing, is this normal and acceptable, or should it be immaculate?
Oh also, should I just be washing the front, or the back of the screen too!?
Thanks so much for any help, it's scary sometimes with these new things!

 

[mainstreetpress]

Used waterbased ink for a while and - while it was good to start out, I found it created more headaches than solutions for us. That being said let's address your concerns!

1. Washing the screens with water should be enough. The ink - black in particular is so fluid tho that it tends to almost dye the threads in the screen. I've got screens from when I first started a few years back that still have stencils on them from my WB days. It's normal. If you're really concerned buy some debase and scrub it down.

2. You can get "rough" but remember water and friction will break down your emulsion over time. Keep that in mind before taking a coarse brush to your screens.

3. You need to wash both sides as WB ink runs when exposed to water and will get all over the other side of your screen. The cleaning process is what really made us switch to plastisol. That and the fact I can start a run - leave and come back and not have to worry about my ink drying in the screen.

Hope this helps!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[map1984]

thank you so much for your detailed reply you've put my mind at ease!

 

[NoXid]

"Water based" ... whatever. You should be using some chemistry, not just water, or your screens will get boogered up. Every place that sells ink and supplies also sells the stuff to clean the ink out of the mesh. I use EnviroSolv (CCI) simply because I can get it locally. Franmar (SP?) and all the others have their own version of something like that.

Even doing that, you might (depending on the inks you are using) get some buildup on the emulsion and staining of the mesh. You can reduce the buildup on the emulsion by wiping down the emulsion (not the open mesh of the design) with a damp cloth or sponge before printing (I use a mix of water and Matsui XA1 Softener).

Green Galaxy ink is less prone to build up than most. Permaset is more prone, but I use it anyway, as it gives the best results.


EDIT A cellulose sponge, water, and cleaner should do it. Spray water with some force through the mesh from the shirt-side of the screen, and with less force from everywhere else. You don't need to "scrub," just rub it around well from both sides. Light mesh staining, or ink buildup on the emulsion, will not ruin your prints.