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Showing posts from December, 2024

How to Reclaim Screens

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Screen Printing is one of the most cost-effective ways to produce t-shirts, posters, canvases, and many other crafts. For good quality printing, you need to know the best techniques to clean the screens before and after use. A dirty screen is an unusable screen. Ink and emulsion must be stripped from the screen in order to print a new design. If the screen is not cleaned thoroughly it will be challenging as well as jeopardizing for the next print. In this blog, we will explain two techniques for cleaning screen printing screens otherwise known as the reclaiming process. You will need an   emulsion remover ,  ink degradant ,   degreaser/ haze remover ,   scrub brush , and pressurized water to clean the screen.   Removing Ink from your Screen to Reclaim With a  plastic scraper , wipe off the excess ink while the screen is still on the press Place the screen in the sink or washout booth and apply  Plastisol Screen Wash  to both sides of the screen. S...

Everything You Need to Start Screen Printing: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

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Are you looking to dive into the world of screen printing but unsure where to start? Whether you're aiming to print custom t-shirts, create unique posters, or experiment with other creative projects, knowing what equipment and supplies you need is the first step toward success. Screen printing is a versatile and rewarding technique that allows you to produce high-quality, long-lasting prints. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to get started, from basic screen print tools to the most important materials. Whether you're a hobbyist or planning to launch your own screen printing business, we’ve got you covered! 1. Screen Print Tools : The Essentials The first step in starting screen printing is gathering the necessary screen print tools . These are the tools you'll need to create your design, apply ink to your material, and finalize your print. Screens : A screen is where the magic happens. You’ll need mesh fabric stretched over a frame to...

How to Post Expose your Screen Printing Stencils

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Durable stencils are incredibly important to the integrity of your print. A strong stencil is required for all printing however it is especially important when you have a long print run or are printing with water-based inks. During long print runs the emulsion can wear down causing your print edges to be less crisp. Today we discuss when to use post exposure and how you can use post exposure to strengthen your emulsion. What is post exposure? First let’s do a small recap on the processing of exposing emulsion, understanding this process will help you to understand how post exposure works. Exposing emulsion is when the emulsion coated onto a screen-printing frame is exposed to light, the light hardens the emulsion anywhere the light touches the screen. The hardened emulsion on the screen does not rinse out, what remains is your stencil. Post exposure is exposing the screen again to light after the screen has already been exposed rinsed and dried. The purpose is to strengthen or to help ...

Mastering Screen Printing Emulsion: Key Tips for Quality and Brand Success

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When it comes to screen printing, the quality of your prints heavily depends on the emulsion you choose. Screen printing emulsion is a light-sensitive coating applied to screens to create stencils for printing designs. It is a vital part of the process, and selecting the right emulsion can make all the difference in the final product’s sharpness, durability, and accuracy. Understanding Screen Printing Emulsion Screen printing emulsion works by creating a barrier on the screen that allows ink to pass through only where the design is. This allows for precise, repeatable prints. Emulsions are made of light-sensitive compounds, and when exposed to light, they harden, leaving the design area open for ink to pass through. Proper application and exposure to UV light are key to achieving clean, crisp prints. Choosing the Right Emulsion for Your Brand One of the most important decisions you’ll make is selecting the correct type of emulsion for your printing needs. There are different types, in...

Let's Screen-Print an Ugly Christmas Sweater

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Our “ugly” sweater is pretty cute right? Recreate this ugly Christmas sweater with ease. Follow the steps in the  video  and get further detail in the description below to  screen-print  this sweater for customers or yourself this holiday season.  We have also included a link to download the artwork we used for this print and it’s completely free! Let’s get to it.    We are going to be printing with two different types of ink today. One is  Rapid Cure Gold Glitter Plastisol Ink  and the other is  Rapid Cure Metallic Gold Plastisol Ink .   You can print with just glitter or metallic if you prefer a one-color print. Pro Tip: Always remember to mix your inks prior to use so you get a nice creamy and easy flowing feel when it’s time to hit the press.   Since the inks have different printing characteristics you are going to need a couple different screen meshes so the ink can print onto the garment without any issues like clogging....