EMULSION - How to coat your screen!

I tried for eight hours last night to upload my first video. For some reason blogger would not upload it so I had to go through youtube. I was planning on a new video camera by now but I guess it will have to wait another week or two.


In this video, I was using a 20 x 24, 110 mesh wood screen, dual cure diazo emulsion and a scoop coater. The scoop coater has two edges, one wide and one thin. Use the wide when you want a thick layer of emulsion and the thin edge when you want to apply a thin coat. I have only used the thin side. I applied one layer of emulsion to each side of my screen and let it dry completely. After the first layer was dry, I applied a second layer of emulsion to the front side of the screen. (The side your image will be on) The second layer of emulsion allows more ink on your shirt. A third or fourth layer of emulsion may also be used. I have only used the two-layer method. Make sure your emulsion is completely dry before applying another layer.


LIGHT SAFE ROOM!


Emulsion is light sensitive so your room must block out UV light. I was confused with this when I started setting up my printing room. I looked everywhere for a light safe light but no one knew what I was talking about and I could not explain it to them properly. I called a photography place and they could get me a “darkroom"  light but it would cost $18. I finally went online to http://www.silkscreeningsupplies.com/. They sell the lights but I needed it how. Their answer….A BUG LIGHT!! I felt a little silly but I was new to screen-printing and had never set up a “darkroom”. Sometimes the little things make all the difference. So go to Lowe’s, HomeDepot or Wal-mart and buy a couple bug lights and you should be good to go.


On to my video!




Questions or comments are greatly appreciated.

See you soon.

Jeanette