Removing screen printing emulsions is a process all of us screen printers have to learn. After a screen printing job is over, the images on the screen will not be used again unless there is a repeat order in the near future. If this is not the case then in order to reuse your screen, this process is one we should all get familiar with.
How can I remove the screen printing emulsion from the screen? You can remove the printing emulsions from the screen by applying an emulsion remover and spraying it with high-pressure of water. Brush the screen with a brush until the emulsion drips off from the screen. Then, repeat the process.
We want to remove the emulsion so we can reuse the screen for our t-shirt printing projects or business. With this, we can save money and be able to do more jobs. Truly, screen printing emulsion removal is a tough job. However, many people use the process due to its various benefits.
In this article, I’ll show you the magic tricks of screen printing emulsion. Let me guide you on the different products to use and the common mistakes by people and the easy solutions.
Different Kinds Of Emulsion Remover
One effective method to remove the emulsion at the screen is through the use of an emulsion remover. Now, you might ask, what are the various kinds of emulsion remover to choose from? The use of emulsion remover depends upon the type of emulsion used during the screen printing.
There are three major types of emulsion that you can have for your t-shirt printing project. These are the Diazo, SBQ-based, and the dual-cure emulsions. Let’s differentiate the three of them below.
- Diazo: The diazo emulsions will need manual mixing of the resins and photosensitizer. To fully cure it, you will need to have a longer exposure with the Diazo emulsions. When you do this, you will notice that the resulting stencil is now thicker. With this, the Diazo emulsions are not the right choice for detailed halftone prints. When the Diazo is mixed, it can last for many months even if it is left on the shelf.
- SBQ-based: This type of emulsion can be bought in a pot and it does not require any mixing. Even with just a few seconds only, it can cure by exposing to UV light. Indeed, the SBQ-based is a good option for detailed prints. This is because, with this product, you can create thinner stencils. On the other hand, you can have multiple coats which can be layered when there is a thicker stencil. Unlike other emulsion brands, the SBQ-based is more expensive. Furthermore, it can possibly last for many years.
- Dual-cure: Finally, the dual cure emulsions combine the properties of the Diazo and SBQ-based emulsions. This one needs mixing just like the Diazo emulsions. But it can cure faster than Diazo but slower than the SBQ-based emulsions. Meanwhile, it is not as costly as the SBQ-based product and it creates a thicker stencil.
For Diazo emulsion, you can try the Speedball 4558 Diazo Photo Emulsion Remover. It is opaque in color and it does not contain any allergens. The product is in a classroom size squeeze bottle which is affordable and available anywhere. Also, this is more than enough for your t-shirt printing project since it is 950 milliliters of solution.
Meanwhile, you can have the Smatch-Cleaner Strip 2014 for the SBQ-based emulsions and the Diazo emulsions. Unlike other brands, this one will not damage the polyester fabrics. Furthermore, it does not foam in the washer even when under high pressure. Amazingly, it will not also crystallize in the water. Also, it can be able to prevent plugging of the spray nozzles.
Finally, for dual-cure emulsions, you can try the Murakami ER-601 emulsion remover. It has low volatile organic compounds (VOCs), low odor, and is drain safe. It is good for any kind of fabric and it is always ready for use.
Now, there are various things that can possibly go wrong when one wishes to remove the emulsion from the printing screens for t-shirt business. Here are some examples:
Common Mistake Number 1: Not Enough Water Pressure To Wash Off Emulsions
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The first common mistake is there is not enough water pressure that will remove the emulsions. In washing off the emulsions, it is best to use 1,000 to 1,500 PSI (pounds per square inch). With this, you can be able to blow the emulsion out of the screen accordingly. If you don’t have the right pressure, you can have a hard time removing the thick spots of the emulsion.
With the proper water pressure, it can surely blow out any tough spot on the screen. If you don’t have any pressure washer, you can have a small electric one with 1,000 to 1,500 PSI.
Apart from the pressure washer, you can have the garden hose with a nozzle. Or else, you can try to bring your screen with emulsions to the local car wash shop and wash it away.
Common Mistake Number 2: Too Much Or Too Little Emulsion On The Screen
The second problem in removing the emulsion from the screen is you apply too much emulsion on the screen. Moreover, you fail to properly apply the emulsion remover.
How thick must the emulsion be on the screen? If some parts of the screen wash out just fine but there are still thick parts that still stick, then, you might have not enough of a coating of remover on the screen.
Practice using pressure with a smooth and fast coating stroke. Make the edges a little bit thicker. This is because there are always some overrun on the scoop coater’s end. Also, this can be able to solve problems in the future.
Meanwhile, you must not allow the emulsion remover to dry on the screen. This will enable the emulsion to permanently lock on the screen. Also, it will make it hard to rinse with high water pressure.
Now, spray water on the emulsion remover to make it slightly wet on both sides. Leave it for about 20 to 30 seconds. Then, scrub it using a pad or brush until the chemicals start to break down. Thereafter, rinse it with high water pressure once again.
If the screen was exposed to the water, then the emulsion can be harder to reclaim. The same is true if you let it dry with other chemicals like cleaning agents.
Furthermore, if your screen is underexposed at the very beginning, this may cause the setting of the emulsion in the screen. You must make sure that you are having the appropriate time of exposure for your project.
Also, it is best if you control your environment. Make sure that you have the appropriate washout booth with the right pressure so you can spray the screens. It is also best to have a dip tank. With dip tanks, you don’t have to scrub the screen as much and wait for long hours.
Indeed, screen printing can bring various benefits to business owners and clientele alike. Along the way, you can have problems in removing the emulsions. This is one of the common problems of people who are also in the business of t-shirt printing.
Related Questions
What are the emulsion remover ingredients?
Some emulsion removers are made of chemicals while some are made of 100% bio-degradable ingredients such as soybeans. There can be various colors of emulsion remover depending on the ingredients used.
What are the emulsion remover alternatives?
Some of the alternatives for emulsion remover includes bleach, citrus, and soy products. However, it is still best to have the emulsion remover since it is cheap and easy to use.
What to do if the emulsion remover is not working?
If the emulsion remover is not working, soak the screen in water for a few seconds. Then, spray it with a high water pressure to eliminate the emulsion. Finally, scrub the screen once again to remove everything.
