![]() ![]() What separates these companies isn't the level of automation, the size of the operation, or the volume of work they produce. These three examples demonstrate the varying degrees of importance that screen printers assign to proper screenmaking, and more specifically, proper screen drying. Inventories of coated screens are always on hand for emergencies and rush jobs. The screens are dried and stored in a separate temperature- and light-controlled room. It has a light-safe coating room where properly stretched, clean screens are coated on an automatic coater. The company has been careful to lay out and plan each area of its operation to provide the highest levels of efficiency and quality. Since the shop is relatively busy, the screenmaker has an inventory of screens ready to use at all times, and some may sit idle for long periods before use.Ī sophisticated print shop busily churns out screens to meet a demanding production schedule. The screenmaker keeps the cabinet temperature set on "hot" (it features additional settings of "low" and "medium" that have never been used). After coating, the screens are dried in a cabinet that provides further protection against light exposure. There, properly tensioned screens are coated with a quality coating trough. Screens are usually made as they are needed and rarely stored after coating.Īnother screen shop also operates in cramped quarters, but features a room built specifically for the purpose of screenmaking and includes filtered fluorescent lights (yellow lights) to reduce the chance of inadvertent exposure. If time is short, a hair dryer is typically used to speed up the drying process. The trusty old fan has been used for years, and a thick layer of dust coats the blades. After coating, screens are leaned against the side of the tub with a fan blowing on them. The shower curtain has been replaced with a piece of black plastic to protect the screens from light exposure when they are in the tub.įor coating, a coating trough with a smooth, nick-free edge is used to apply freshly mixed dual-cure emulsion onto properly stretched screens. When the room is used for other purposes, coated screens are stored in the bathtub (which also serves as the developing and screen washout/reclaiming area). Still, the screenmaker needs to see what he's doing, so the bathroom door is left slightly ajar to allow a small amount of light into the room. Coating occurs with the bathroom's fluorescent lights turned off, because everyone knows that light will expose the emulsion. ![]() Screens are made in a bathroom converted for the purpose. Consider the following scenarios.Ī screen printing business operates in a small crowded shop. But because it appears so simple, many printers tend to gloss over the factors that lead to a correctly dried screen. Screen drying is a basic prepress step that seems like a no-brainer on the surface. In no time, you will have the fire department visiting you, and not for cake and coffee.ĭrying a screen is not unlike baking a cake. ![]() You don't have to be a pastry chef to know what will happen. Instead of following the directions, you decide to spread the batter out over a cookie sheet and bake it at 650☏ for only 20 min. Say you're in a hurry, though, so you try to speed up the process. A piece of cake, so to speak.Īs long as you follow directions, the cake is likely to turn out fine-not too dry and not too moist. Have you ever baked a cake? It's easy! Just rip open a box of cake mix, dump it into a bowl, add some water, an egg, and some oil, then stir it around a bit, pour it into a cake pan, and bake it for 40 min at 325☏. ![]() In this comprehensive article, Mick covers these procedures and conditions and how to implement them correctly in your operation.ĭrying a Screen for Screen Printing is Like Baking a Cake It requires attention to the coating process, understanding of common drying procedures, and knowledge of the conditions that must be present in order to achieve reliable coated screens on a consistent basis. Screen drying involves more than just making sure emulsion is dry to the touch. Just like baking a cake, drying a screen requires that you follow a specific recipe. By Mick Orr, Applications Training Specialist for Chromaline ![]()
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