| An important tool in screen printing is a way to | | | | woodworking knowledge you can build your own |
| expose your screens to a uv light source. This source | | | | screen printing exposure unit. This unit will work great |
| could be an elaborate metal halide unit all the way | | | | for most images, it doesn't create allot of heat and it |
| down to taking your screen outside in the sun. | | | | will expose screens in a relatively short time. |
| Commercial exposure units can cost hundreds and | | | | So what your going to need is the following: |
| even thousands of dollars. This is usually impracticable | | | | - 3/4 inch plywood for the box sides and bottom |
| for the casual screen printer or some one just | | | | - 3 - 2 foot/2 tube fixtures |
| getting started. | | | | - 6 - F20T12-BL lamps |
| Another way to expose screens is to use a 500 | | | | - 1/4" unfiltered plate glass for the top |
| watt quarts work light or mercury vapor yard light | | | | - Timer to turn the lights on for the calculated |
| that can be found at the local home improvement | | | | amount of time |
| store. The quartz light is hung above your screen and | | | | Building your own exposure unit will save you allot of |
| turned on for 12-15 minutes. This method works but, | | | | money and get you burning screens in no time. |
| it generates allot of heat that can literally bake the | | | | Now for the safety part. The electrical wiring for this |
| emulsion onto the screen for good. I feel the best | | | | unit is beyond the scope of this article, Though not |
| and most economical way is the use unfiltered | | | | difficult you should consult with a qualified source. |
| fluorescent black lights. The black lights mount in a | | | | There is plenty of information out there on Explaining |
| standard fluorescent fixture bought from a home | | | | how to wire light fixtures into a switch/timer. |
| improvement store. With a few basic tools and | | | | |