| Emulsion is a chemical that is a crucial part of the | | | | emulsion. First off, ensure that you are using the |
| screen printing process. It is a light sensitive element | | | | proper type of screen for the ink you are using and |
| that is hardened onto a screen and blocks ink that | | | | the item that is being printed on. Make sure that the |
| passes over the screen from getting onto your | | | | screen you are using is stretched tight, as the tight |
| printed medium. Emulsion not only creates the proper | | | | tension on the screen will allow for betting printing |
| coating that will block the ink so that it is unable to | | | | and much greater consistency in printing. You should |
| be printed on the material where it isn't needed, but | | | | mix the emulsion at least 2 hours prior to when you |
| also that it allows for very crisp and clean line work | | | | are going to coat your screens, as this will give |
| on the medium. The problem with emulsion comes | | | | enough time to let air bubbles that may form to |
| when you are applying the emulsion in order to burn | | | | bleed out, otherwise you may get pin holes in your |
| the screen. The emulsion must be evenly distributed | | | | screen. If you need to degrease your screen at any |
| and applied correctly, otherwise you risk making the | | | | point, use a degreaser such as Simple Green or |
| entire printing process a real headache for yourself. | | | | something similar. Before you coat your screen, make |
| The problem that many screen printers run into is | | | | sure the screen is completely dry, and then use the |
| that they are not following the basics when it comes | | | | sharp edge of the scoop coater to coat the t-shirt |
| to photo emulsion and cause themselves immense | | | | facing side of the screen first, and then the side that |
| headaches during the printing process, including pin | | | | will be hit with the squeegee. Coat each side with |
| holes and break down of emulsion while printing. While | | | | just one coat (some people use multiple coats, but if |
| they may think that getting by with how they are | | | | you follow these steps you should only need one), |
| coating the screens with emulsion now, creating a | | | | and then dry your screen t-shirt side down. Once the |
| better coated screen is much more efficient in the | | | | screen is completely dry you are good to start |
| long run, especially on huge orders where deadlines | | | | printing! |
| are important and taking the time to create a new | | | | There are several resources available online regarding |
| screen right in the middle of printing can be | | | | emulsion that can help you understand what exactly |
| catastrophic. | | | | the chemical does. Remember, when layering the |
| There are several tips that can help you when it | | | | emulsion you must be in a dark room to prevent any |
| comes to creating proper screens with photographic | | | | hardening. Good luck! |