[jjjamm]

hi, I have a simple HOME t-shirt screen project due tomorrow morning (1/1, pocket/back). I had the screen made and stenciled for me, got it back, and found out the ganged stencils are too close (for my comfort).
I remember back in jr high shop class that there's a way to mask off the other stencil. That mask was cut out of some sort of paper-- if anyone out there knows about what I'm talking about, WHAT TYPE OF MASKING PAPER SHOULD I USE? btw, the screen printing will be done using water-based textile inks.
Thanks for your help!!!

 

[gp1305]

Dude, use blue painters tape. Low tack and residue free. Works for me every time Good luck!

Also, place the tape on the UNDERSIDE of your screen.. that way you don't have to get your hands dirty fishing around for the tape under the ink!

 

[jjjamm]

thanks, I'll try that.
Just curious, if I'm masking/blocking out another stencil on the same screen, will the painters tape rip off the emulsion?

 

[gp1305]

Not at all! I have yet to 'rip emulsion' off a screen.. (Although If I could.. I'd save time reclaiming them! ). Nah, you'll be good. For tiny areas (such as pinholes and what not) I use scotch tape.

 

[dwiebe13]

I use clear thin packing tape (you know the ones you use to tape boxes). works like a charm.

 

[jjjamm]

Thanks for all the tips.
My project went well.
When I went out to pick up the blue painter's tape, I found some masking paper in a roll, and decided to get that too. I cut a hole in the masking paper for the stencil-in-use and blocked out the rest, and taped the edges with the painter's tape. Worked really well.
You gave me a great start!
Thanks again everyone.