hard to remove the emulsion from my screen after my pic has been burned into the screen - is my emulsion bad?
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Hi there,
I think you are referring to the Murakami SP-7000 correct?
If so, this is a water resistant emulsion so you must use an "emulsion remover" to break the emulsion down in order to reclaim your screen. Certain products like mineral spirits can lock the emulsion in place making it impossible to remove.
There are a whole number of possibilities on what the problem can be. Can you provide more details?
I think you are referring to the Murakami SP-7000 correct?
If so, this is a water resistant emulsion so you must use an "emulsion remover" to break the emulsion down in order to reclaim your screen. Certain products like mineral spirits can lock the emulsion in place making it impossible to remove.
There are a whole number of possibilities on what the problem can be. Can you provide more details?
As said above by Jantex,
Waterbased emulsions are (in my opinion) far more susceptible to being locked into the screen by other chemicals.
Can you tell us what kind of waterbased inks you're using, any screen openers or screen cleaners that you are using on the inks as well would be helpful.
Another thing I always ask people when it's emulsion issues, is this a NEW issue, or a problem you've been having for a while? Any emulsion that has to be sensitized (Diazo Emulsions) have a shelf life once mixed. It's usually 1-2 months depending (some go longer), but obviously you'll start to have problems with screens as you get to the end of the shelf life on it.
Lastly, you said you're having problems removing emulsion after it's been burned. So is this when you're trying to rinse out your image, or you are trying to reclaim the screen?
Waterbased emulsions are (in my opinion) far more susceptible to being locked into the screen by other chemicals.
Can you tell us what kind of waterbased inks you're using, any screen openers or screen cleaners that you are using on the inks as well would be helpful.
Another thing I always ask people when it's emulsion issues, is this a NEW issue, or a problem you've been having for a while? Any emulsion that has to be sensitized (Diazo Emulsions) have a shelf life once mixed. It's usually 1-2 months depending (some go longer), but obviously you'll start to have problems with screens as you get to the end of the shelf life on it.
Lastly, you said you're having problems removing emulsion after it's been burned. So is this when you're trying to rinse out your image, or you are trying to reclaim the screen?
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Hello all, and thanks Jantex for answering part of this question. I have a newsletter this month on this subject if you'd like to drop me a line. Basically here it is: Pure Photopolymers for water base printing when underexposed may still be sensitive. Any solvent chemistry, but especially MEK, Acetone, and Screen openers can chemically flash the emulsion. The reason is under exposed emulsion, or exposing with a low wattage lamp. Solution? Run a step test or push your screens to over exposure then back off to get your image. Weak blackness on your film may require under exposure. So in this case post expose your emulsion in the sun or 2x as long as your exposure in an exposure unit. If your screen had hardeners to resist water base and discharge inks it will be hard to reclaim. Use a concentrated emulsion remover but this isn't a solution. Full complete exposure of the emulsion is needed. Good black dense film, expose completely, post expose as well and your reclaim issues should be solved.
Email me for this month's newsletter on this subject:
[email protected]
Alan Buffington
Murakami Screen USA
Email me for this month's newsletter on this subject:
[email protected]
Alan Buffington
Murakami Screen USA
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