Editing Screenprinting Setup

[[category:Screenprinting]] [[category:Production]]

== Supplies ==

=== Exposing screens ===

* '''Speedball photo emulsion (& catalyst)''' Suppliers: Dick Blick (online); [https://www.artistcraftsman.com/store-locations-downtown-los-angeles-california Artist & Craftsman] (usually stocked in store)
* '''Eiko <strike>250W</strike> 500W photoflood light bulb''' Suppliers: [http://www.amazon.com/Eiko-120v-500w-Photo-Flood/dp/B000N49KS6 Amazon] Stay away from Sylvannia bulbs. They have a bad reputation.
* '''lamp''' with a ceramic socket that can handle the 500W bulb
* '''red bulb''' (optional) for that lightroom feel while exposing screens
* flat surface
* armature to hang lamp
* transparency
* spray mount
* black paper 
* painter's tape
* clean glass
* stop watch
* large sink
* hose
* spray nozzle
* plastic cup
* cardboard scraps
* nitrile gloves
* popsicle sticks
* '''block out pen''' supplier [http://www.anthemprintingsf.com/Blockout-Pen-for-Pinhole-Repair-p/vfbp.htm Anthem Screen Printing Supply]
* '''high pressure nozzle''' to clear ink and emulsion out of the screen

=== Reclaiming screens ===

* '''screen reclaimer''' 
** '''Gem-Zyme''' concentrate emulsion remover, which can be diluted 20:1. Supplier: [http://www.anthemprintingsf.com/Gem-Zyme-Super-Concentrate-Emulsion-Remover-QUAR-p/gem-zyme-qrt.htm Anthem Screen Printing Supply]
** '''Holden's HO-100''' powder screen reclaimer. Supplier: [http://www.standardscreen.com/ho-100powderreclaimer.aspx Standard Screen Supply]. 
** '''Speedball''' also has a reclaimer product; haven't tried it.
* '''high pressure nozzle''' to clear ink and emulsion out of the screen
* '''nitrile gloves'''

=== Ink ===

* '''Speedball acrylic permanent ink''' Suppliers: [http://www.dickblick.com/products/speedball-permanent-acrylic-screen-printing-ink/ Dick Blick] (online for quart jars); Artist & Craftsman
* '''Extender Base''', for adding transparency to inks.  Suppliers: [http://www.dickblick.com/items/43217-1007/ Dick Blick] (online); Artist & Craftsman

=== Screens ===

* '''Mesh: 180T monofilament''' Supplier: [http://www.silkscreen-supplies.com/ Screen Printers Resource]<br />''Very important'' to use ''only'' monofilament mesh for sharp images on paper.
* '''Nylon tape''' to hold down mesh
* '''staples (& staple gun)''' for stretching mesh
* '''tape''' to water-proof frames
* Haven't needed to purchase '''frames''' anytime recently.

=== Misc ===

* '''Painter's tape''' for holding down clips
* '''Registration clips'''
* '''Clothes line''' and '''binder clips''' for hanging prints to dry

== Screen preparation ==

=== Stretching screens ===

==== Materials ====

* '''screen frame''' ''(TK: suppliers)''
* '''mesh''' ([[#Screens|see above]])
* '''staple tape''' Nylon ribbon to hold staples. suppliers: [http://www.standardscreen.com/stapletape-60yards.aspx Standard Screen Supply], [http://www.anthemprintingsf.com/Screen-Printing-Tape-s/235.htm Anthem Screen Printing Supply]
* '''staples & staple gun''' ''(TK: staple size)''
* '''"block out" tape''' waterproof, solvent-resistant tape ''(TK: suppliers)''
* '''stretcher pliers''' (suppliers: Dick Blick)

==== Process ====

TK

=== Coating screens ===

==== Materials ====

* '''Emulsion'''
* '''Emulsion scoop'''
* '''Sturdy ledge''' (chair or something comparable with a sturdy vertical surface to lean the screen on)<br />Check out [http://www.anthemprintingsf.com/Table-Top-Screen-Coating-Holder-p/ngscsa.htm this solution]; it would be simple enough to screw a couple of strips of wood to the bench.
* '''Red light bulb'''
* '''nitrile gloves'''

==== Process ====

* Mix emulsion.
** Put on gloves for this part.
** Replace at least one regular bulb with a red bulb.
** Turn off lights; turn on red bulb.
** The Speedball catalyst instructions tell you to fill the container 3/4 full with cold water, which is always a tricky thing to gauge because the container is opaque & you can't really see what the water level is, especially in the dark.
** Put cold water in catalyst jar & mix.
** Pour catalyst into emulsion & mix thoroughly.
* Coat the screen.
** Lean the screen at about a 70&deg; to 85&deg; angle against something sturdy. '''The flat face of the screen should be facing outwards.''' It's important that both the top and bottom edges of the screen don't shift once the scoop is pressed against it.
** Pour the emulsion in the scoop, starting at one end and leaving a small amount all down the length of the scoop, in the bottom of the trough. 
** Holding the back of the scoop, touch the edge of the scoop to the bottom of the screen.
** Tip the scoop up and wait until all of the emulsion has slid down to touch the surface of the screen.
** As soon as the emulsion has made contact with the screen down the whole length of the scoop, start to gently but firmly pull the scoop up along the surface of the screen.
** As the scoop approaches the top of the screen, start to tilt it back such that the emulsion will slide back away from the surface of the screen. 
** As the scoop makes contact with the tape at the top of the screen, pull the scoop away from the surface of the screen. Try to do it in such a way that no excess emulsion is left on the screen or the tape. 

=== Exposing screens ===

See [[Exposing Screens]]

=== Printing ===

==== Materials ====

* '''registration guides''' suppliers: [http://www.anthemprintingsf.com/AWT-Reusable-Aluminum-Registration-Guides-p/arg.htm Anthem Screen Printing Supplies]
* '''painter's tape/masking tape'''
* '''ink'''
* '''squeegee'''
* '''hinge clamps'''
* '''paper''' 150 gsm/92 lb Canford colored paper. Suppiers: [http://www.dickblick.com/products/daler-rowney-canford-papers/ Dick Blick]
** NW1: plum
** NW2: coffee
** NW3: navy blue
** NW1-3: black
** NW4: Forest (I guess. The last batch of forest that I ordered doesn't match the existing NW4 covers exactly)

==== Process ====

TK

== Guides & Resources ==

* [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0yiMvZjCBdNqjMdXQRB_1Q Anthem Screen Printing tutorial videos]
* [http://www.signindustry.com/screen/ Learn How to Screen Print] signindustry.com
* [http://photography.tutsplus.com/articles/rules-for-perfect-lighting-understanding-the-inverse-square-law--photo-3483 Inverse-Square Law and Lighting] tuts+

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