The Photo-emulsion Process: Crafting Professional-Quality Silkscreens at Home

Introduction to Screen Making

Silk screening is an incredibly versatile technique suitable for a wide range of projects, from artistic prints on paper to custom T-shirts, team jackets, and vinyl graphics on plastic. With UrekaGo's silk screen supplies, it's possible to establish a temporary home print shop for single projects or ongoing production.

The process can be surprisingly simple and doesn't require a dedicated studio space. A kitchen table can serve as your workbench for building and stretching screens and coating them with emulsion. A sink or bathtub can act as the rinse tub for washing out exposed emulsion. For drying printed objects, a clothesline stretched across a room works perfectly. Even a standard 50-watt UV light can serve as the activating light source for photo-sensitive emulsion.

Steps to Create a Silkscreen at Home

To start making a silkscreen, follow these detailed steps:

1. Prepare Your Artwork

Begin by creating a photo-positive transparency of your artwork at its actual size. Transparent sheets compatible with inkjet printers, laser printers, and photocopiers are available. When printing from a computer, choose “registration” color for better ink coverage. If using a copy machine, make multiple copies and tape them together for increased opacity. Always include registration marks on your artwork to ensure accurate alignment when using multiple screens.

2. Gather Necessary Tools

Collect the basic tools needed for screen preparation:

1. Photo Emulsion: Select based on your project type—consult our technical department for advice.

2. Clamp Hinges: For aligning multiple screens accurately.

3. Rubber Gloves: To protect hands during handling.

4. Heavy-Duty Stapler: For securing fabric to the frame.

5. Frame: Choose the appropriate size.

6. Scoop Coater: Ensures an even application of emulsion.

7. Squeegee: Used for printing.

8. Screen Fabric: Selection depends on image detail, printing ink, and surface—again, consult our experts.

3. Stretching the Screen

Prepare the screen by ensuring the inside dimensions of your frame are approximately 7.6 cm (3 inches) larger than your artwork on all sides. This extra space allows for clean strokes. Stretch the screen fabric tightly over the frame and staple it at a slight angle to prevent staples from lining up with mesh holes. Use staples spaced about 1.27 cm (half an inch) apart for uniform tension. Trim excess fabric along the outer edge with a razor blade or matte knife. After exposure, tape over the staples for a smooth finish, both inside and outside the screen.

4. Coating with Emulsion

Using a scoop coater, apply a thin coat of emulsion to the inner side of the screen. Pour a small amount of emulsion into the coater—about 2.54 cm (an inch), depending on the screen size. Keep the emulsion container shielded from light. Apply the emulsion at an angle, overlapping strokes from bottom to top. Allow the emulsion to dry to the touch, which should take around 20 to 30 minutes with a fan. Repeat the coating process once more, applying only to the outside of the screen.

5. Exposing the Emulsion

Once the emulsion is dry, tape your film positive onto the screen. Remember that the image will appear reversed since you'll be screening from the inside. Center registration marks if multiple screens are used. Expose the screen to a light source; a 50-watt UV light works well for 10 to 15 minutes. Exposure times may vary, so perform a test first.

6. Washing Out the Screen

After exposure, wash the screen in a bathtub or sink. Areas not exposed to light will wash away, leaving open mesh for ink passage.

7. Fixing Pinholes

Pinholes—unintended openings in the stencil—are common but easily fixed by brushing sensitized emulsion over them. Hold the screen up to light to locate pinholes, then apply a very thin coating carefully.

8. Taping the Screen

Taping the screen before printing simplifies cleanup and extends its life. Apply SRT Tape both inside and outside the screen.

9. Printing Process

For printing, draw the squeegee down across the image, pushing ink ahead with even pressure, completing the print in one stroke. Clamp hinges help lift the screen without shifting its position for precise registration. Draw the ink back up for the next stroke. Hold the squeegee blade at a 45-degree angle to the screen.

Choose the appropriate ink based on characteristics like drying time, viscosity, and substrate compatibility. Consult our technical department for recommendations on squeegee hardness tailored to your specific application.

Support and Assistance

At UrekaGo's Screen Supply, we're here to support you every step of the way. Whether you need guidance on selecting materials or troubleshooting issues, our technical department offers free consultations. Reach out to us at info@urekago.com for personalized assistance and advice.