dark room

3546 Views 16 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Uncle John, Oct 12, 2008

ddlaz

Discussion Starter · Oct 11, 2008

Hi Everyone,
Well this may sound dumb or just plain stupid, but is there anyway to get around having to have a dark room for screen printing, besides buying a printa system? I think all you for helping me. My problem is I really have no where to make a dark room any suggestions would really help.
Again THANK YOU!

Danny

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marcelolopez

· #2 · Oct 11, 2008

Are you working outside? If you are indoors, you can just turn the lights off, and have those yellow, bugs light bulbs on.
And it is not THAT much critical a dark room. As long as not much UV reach the emulsion before it is burned on the screen.
Tell us how is your working area, and we could have a more educated suggestions .

EIPC

· #3 · Oct 11, 2008

Just replace all the lights in that room with yellow bug lights. cover the doorway...light safe for emulsion.

ddlaz

Discussion Starter · #4 · Oct 11, 2008

I will have my press in the garage but I have to wash every thin inside in the sink or tub I guess. I'm Just getting started looking for some advice.. Thank you
Danny

ddlaz

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 11, 2008

Do your saying wash and burn inside and I'll be fine ?

EIPC

· #6 · Oct 11, 2008

Use a portable light with a bug light wherever you are washing out (I am betting bathtub) and use an opaque trash bag to transport the screen from the garage to washout.

ddlaz

Discussion Starter · #7 · Oct 11, 2008

EIPC said:
Use a portable light with a bug light wherever you are washing out (I am betting bathtub) and use an opaque trash bag to transport the screen from the garage to washout.

So let me see if im understanding you . I need to wash and do emulsion in bathroom let it dry in there,when its dry put it in a black trash bag. Carry it to another room to burn the screen. Put it back in the trash bag and take it to the press? Sorry if I sound dumb but I'm just trying to learn .....
thank you

Danny

EIPC

· #8 · Oct 11, 2008

no.

Your emulsion has to be in a light safe room from the time it comes out of the can until the screen is washed out.

It sounds like you are coating/burning in one room and washing out in another, so...

Room 1 (coating/burning)- replace all lights in this room with yellow bug lights.

After you burn screen put it in a opaque trashbag to transport it to whereever you are washing out.

Room 2 (washout)- you arent going to want your bathroom to have yellow lights all the time. So use like a desk lamp with a yellow bug light. and turn main lights off.

Once your image is washed out it is fine to be exposed to whatever light....in fact I usually reburn my screens to make sure they dont wash out when printing.

And dont worry about sounding dumb on here.....most are very helpful. i wish I had found it when I first was learning to print, and more importantly before I bought my first piece of equipment.

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ddlaz

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 11, 2008

thanks epic if i use capillary film would i have to go through this same process?

ddlaz

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 11, 2008

What do I cover windows with or will they be fine?

EIPC

· #11 · Oct 11, 2008

I have never used it and have no idea.

suzette70

· #12 · Oct 11, 2008

OK. I just started screenprinting in my 20X20 work room we built on to the house. I already have embroidery machines and 2 garment printers in this room, so I know where you're coming from. Oh, and no plumbing in this room either. This is what we did....a little ******* inginuity per my husband. We got a tarp from Home Depot and mounted a rod from the ceiling and attached the tarp to the rod with shower curtain hangers. This is where I coat and expose my screens. I use a table lamp with the bug light. I didn't have enough room in this area to comfortably set the design up on the screen before exposing, so I bought some cheap room darkening shades from Wal Mart to go over my wooden blinds. Now I can expose during the day. After I expose the screen I have a spray bottle of water that I saturate the screen with, put it in a black trash bag and take it outside to finish washing it out. By the time I get outside, the screen has soaked long enough that it just washes right out. Hope this helps.

Suzette70

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jsreid

· #13 · Oct 12, 2008

Is it really necessary to carry it in a trash bag if it's only going to be in the light for like 30 seconds going from exposing to the washout area?

suzette70

· #14 · Oct 12, 2008

I haven't tried it without the trash bag just to be on the safe side. But, light, any kind, is what exposes the emulsion on the screen. So, just 30 seconds would have an effect. Like I said, I haven't tried it, but, spraying with water and letting it set for a few seconds may help before you make the trip outside. Let us know if you try it.

Suzette70

n.signia

· #15 · Oct 12, 2008

ddlaz said:
What do I cover windows with or will they be fine?

you can use black trash bags, amberlith, or anything that will keep out all light.

(amberlith is a red tinted film that filters out all uv rays, but still allows light through so you can see)

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ddlaz

Discussion Starter · #16 · Oct 12, 2008

thank you all i will have to try it if you guys do it it must work....Again THANK YOU..

Danny

Uncle John

· #17 · Oct 12, 2008

If your using regular emulsion, you need to coat and let dry your screens in a dark environment a bug light is fine, so you can see what your doing. Tape on your film positive then you can take it out to your exposure table or even sit it in the sun. Emulsion is not unlike photograph film, but its a lot slower to react to light than most people think.

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