Screen Reclamation
As it works out, 95 percent of screen printing work is about cleaning stuff up. That a lot of products are water clean up is helpful. Here are some tips on getting your expensive screens ready for another project. The hardest part about screen reclamation is letting go of your work.
Cleaning out screens after using the drawing fluid and screen filler process usually takes just a few minutes. Get a good place to spray a lot of water. A sharp angle hose nozzle, or better yet, a power washer will make short work screen reclamation. Usually there is a chemical of some sort to help things along, things are no different here. In this case spray Strip-e-Doo on the screen and let is work for a few minutes. Then have at it with the sprayer nozzle. Screen filler is tough stuff and usually takes some effort with a sprayer and a scrub brush to clear the screen. When putting screen filler on a screen, try to apply just enough to full the weave on the screen. Adding a thick layer at the start means you will have to remove a thick layer at the end! Additionally the entire screen does not need to be covered in filler. Only 6 inches around the image need to be done. Block out the balance of the screen with packing tape.
Reclaiming emulsion screens is much easier. The chemical here is emulsion remover. It's not too tough on the hands but you don't want any of these products in your eyes. One caveat on emulsion remover- Don't let it dry on your screen! If it dries it will permanently set the emulsion and the screen will be ruined for printing. Simply put the remover on the screen and stir it around with a cheap chip brush. Be careful not to gouge the fabric with any sharp parts on the brush, just use it to keep the screen wet. Let the chemical will do the work here. When you see the emulsion dissolving, spray out the screen with the hose or power washer.
Reclaiming a screen with emulsion remover is a two step deal though. Once the emulsion is sprayed out, you'll need to re-clean the screen with degreaser. Failing to do so will make the next application of emulsion less durable. That is if it sticks at all! if you are using a screen from a shared source , for example a class screen pool, I recommend cleaning it with degreaser yourself. It will save you the frustration of discovery.
Brand new screens need to be cleaned with degreaser as well! You don't know where they have been, or what might be on them, before you purchased them!
Cleaning out screens after using the drawing fluid and screen filler process usually takes just a few minutes. Get a good place to spray a lot of water. A sharp angle hose nozzle, or better yet, a power washer will make short work screen reclamation. Usually there is a chemical of some sort to help things along, things are no different here. In this case spray Strip-e-Doo on the screen and let is work for a few minutes. Then have at it with the sprayer nozzle. Screen filler is tough stuff and usually takes some effort with a sprayer and a scrub brush to clear the screen. When putting screen filler on a screen, try to apply just enough to full the weave on the screen. Adding a thick layer at the start means you will have to remove a thick layer at the end! Additionally the entire screen does not need to be covered in filler. Only 6 inches around the image need to be done. Block out the balance of the screen with packing tape.
Reclaiming emulsion screens is much easier. The chemical here is emulsion remover. It's not too tough on the hands but you don't want any of these products in your eyes. One caveat on emulsion remover- Don't let it dry on your screen! If it dries it will permanently set the emulsion and the screen will be ruined for printing. Simply put the remover on the screen and stir it around with a cheap chip brush. Be careful not to gouge the fabric with any sharp parts on the brush, just use it to keep the screen wet. Let the chemical will do the work here. When you see the emulsion dissolving, spray out the screen with the hose or power washer.
Reclaiming a screen with emulsion remover is a two step deal though. Once the emulsion is sprayed out, you'll need to re-clean the screen with degreaser. Failing to do so will make the next application of emulsion less durable. That is if it sticks at all! if you are using a screen from a shared source , for example a class screen pool, I recommend cleaning it with degreaser yourself. It will save you the frustration of discovery.
Brand new screens need to be cleaned with degreaser as well! You don't know where they have been, or what might be on them, before you purchased them!
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