Sticky screen mesh after printing

5189 Views 16 Replies 5 Participants Last post by deepbluex, Jun 19, 2014

starski

Discussion Starter · Jun 16, 2014

Im having trouble, printing a waterbased ink, after I print, the t shirt sticks to the substrate side of my screen. The substrate side of the screen becomes very sticky, even though I use a platern adhesive, any comments would be a great help

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

jeron

· #2 · Jun 16, 2014

I would say your not using enough platen adhesive!!! I would say try thinning your ink but I've heard water based is already pretty thin...

Maybe your off contact is to low and not letting your screen come off the shirt. That will not let the ink clear the screen which could be your problem... but even the things I suggested wouldn't pull the shirt off the platen I wouldn't think if your using enough adhesive

Thanks,
Jeron

starski

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 16, 2014

Hello, I def have enough platern adhesive, but could the stencil being too thin cause the sticky surface on the substrate side of the screen, because I have noticed the stencilk is quite thin compared to my other screens!
Thanks for the reply btw

jeron

· #4 · Jun 16, 2014

Could you take a picture after it becomes sticky?

Does this always happen to your screens?

Thanks,
Jeron

starski

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 16, 2014

Hello, Im unable to take a picture now, but cound it be because Im using a waterbased emulsion and waterbased ink?... this has happened before, but not this bad
Thanks again

jeron

· #6 · Jun 16, 2014

Is your screen always sticky or just after you start printing.. if just after, how long after?

Thanks,
Jeron

starski

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 16, 2014

Hello, I just tested two screens, one im have the problem with and another screen which I believe to be ok, I put water onto both screens and noticed the screen that gets sticky seems to get that way once it becomes wet or damp on the substrate side, the stencil is quite thin compared to the other screen.

Thanks

jeron

· #8 · Jun 16, 2014

I would say that you under exposed your screen... set it outside in the sun for 10 min and see if it is still sticky..

Thanks,
Jeron

starski

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 16, 2014

Thanks for the help, Ill make sure I post harden in the future.

Thanks again, you have been a great help

jeron

· #10 · Jun 16, 2014

Did that fix your problem?

Thanks,
Jeron

starski

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 16, 2014

I will see, Im not able to print again, today, but I will expose the screen and see if that helps.
Thanks.

deepbluex

· #12 · Jun 16, 2014

you could even slather some emulsion hardener like HardenX (it's a weak HCL acid solution) after you harden it in full sun. The emulsion should not break down when wet after that.

miktoxic

· #13 · Jun 17, 2014

deepbluex said:
you could even slather some emulsion hardener like HardenX (it's a weak HCL acid solution) after you harden it in full sun. The emulsion should not break down when wet after that.

which you'll want to do if you use the screen for large qty runs. harden X is a you know what when it comes time to reclaim your screen. it's not worth the money to remesh the screen because the harden Xed emulsion won't wash out.

ps..i don't have a dip tank or a pressure washer so it might be easier with that equipment.

sben763

· #14 · Jun 17, 2014

I have used harden X without issue. Reclaimed with Franmar Stripedoo. I do use a pressure washer but honestly I think. Could do without. With water base always post expose or issues can happen. Best to use a diazo unless a short run.

deepbluex

· #15 · Jun 19, 2014

miktoxic said:
which you'll want to do if you use the screen for large qty runs. harden X is a you know what when it comes time to reclaim your screen. it's not worth the money to remesh the screen because the harden Xed emulsion won't wash out.

ps..i don't have a dip tank or a pressure washer so it might be easier with that equipment.

I'm surprised to hear you're having a hard time reclaiming screens that were treated with HardenX. I use HardenX a lot because I often do discharge printing and I feel that between the water-base and the discharge chemicals, I need to protect the stencil.

When I go to reclaim, I wet the screens and use a diluted solution of enviro reclaimer in a spray bottle. I spray maybe 5-6 squeezes and spread it around with a brush. I let it sit for 1-2 minutes and use my cheap Harbor Freight pressure washer on the screen. The emulsion comes out as easily as if it was not treated with HardenX.

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miktoxic

· #16 · Jun 19, 2014

deepbluex said:
I'm surprised to hear you're having a hard time reclaiming screens that were treated with HardenX. I use HardenX a lot because I often do discharge printing and I feel that between the water-base and the discharge chemicals, I need to protect the stencil.

When I go to reclaim, I wet the screens and use a diluted solution of enviro reclaimer in a spray bottle. I spray maybe 5-6 squeezes and spread it around with a brush. I let it sit for 1-2 minutes and use my cheap Harbor Freight pressure washer on the screen. The emulsion comes out as easily as if it was not treated with HardenX.

after revisiting my original post i must think it was due to an emulsion i had never used before (and never will again).

i like the hybrid pink diazo emulsion ryonet sells to use with water base stuff and have used harden x a couple of times and it was fine when reclaiming. i went off the grid one time and bought another water based only diazo emulsion that was bluish green after drying. i used harden x on that and couldn't get it out when it came to reclaiming it and just ended up ripping the screen out of it. it was probably an emulsion i had no biz buying because i didn't have a lot of experience then.

i'm still learning how to reclaim screens properly. i don't have the space for dip tanks nor can i run a pressure washer in my apartment w/o the landlord knocking at my door. yesterday i tore through a screen just scrubbing it too hard with an abrasive pad on the floor with newsprint underneath it. it ALWAYS seems like i can never ever get all the emulsion out of the screen. there are always little remnants left in it that affect my next print job.

yes i'm a noobie and one day i swear i'll get it right.

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deepbluex

· #17 · Jun 19, 2014

miktoxic said:
after revisiting my original post i must think it was due to an emulsion i had never used before (and never will again).

i like the hybrid pink diazo emulsion ryonet sells to use with water base stuff and have used harden x a couple of times and it was fine when reclaiming. i went off the grid one time and bought another water based only diazo emulsion that was bluish green after drying. i used harden x on that and couldn't get it out when it came to reclaiming it and just ended up ripping the screen out of it. it was probably an emulsion i had no biz buying because i didn't have a lot of experience then.

i'm still learning how to reclaim screens properly. i don't have the space for dip tanks nor can i run a pressure washer in my apartment w/o the landlord knocking at my door. yesterday i tore through a screen just scrubbing it too hard with an abrasive pad on the floor with newsprint underneath it. it ALWAYS seems like i can never ever get all the emulsion out of the screen. there are always little remnants left in it that affect my next print job.

yes i'm a noobie and one day i swear i'll get it right.

Well I don't think it's a matter of being a noobie. I think your setup is inadequate. I rely a great deal on my pressure washer and washout booth (which is not even a pro-level booth - it's just a plastic laundry sink from Home Depot with some plastic panels built around it to contain spraying). I need pressure washing for reclaiming - once the reclaimer has done its job softening the emulsion, it takes the pressure washer to knock it off the mesh. I don't think scrubbing will do it.

Reactions: 1

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