Printing again...

Recently feeling the itch to print again so I started printing Gangsta Lean today. Used a new method to keep the ink from drying up so easy. It's a added base to the ink and keeps the ink smooth and silky when applying.

There is more air drying time if I had a dryer it would be easier. Right now I'm using a clothes dryer at home. My method is to pre heat the dryer then let the shirts sit for about 1 - 2 mins then tumble dry at high heat. This helps to cure the ink to the fabric allot better. So far not bad.

Silkscreen Testing...Experiment #1

My first attempt at exposing my emulsion coated screens with a new design was a failure. The only success that came from it up to this point was the box to hold screens and the tweaks to the garage to completely make it into a dark room. With this first attempt there have come some hiccups.

When in class at LBCC I was using Speedball emulsion. With this emulsion I was able to expose a screen to light for 16 mins then rinse and let dry. When it was successful you could see through the washed away unexposed areas. With this emulsion little bit trickier. Of course I assumed (if you assume your an "ass") that the same light exposure time I used at school was the same for my experiment. WRONG!

The emulsion I am using is Ulano 925WR. I took a look at the tech sheet I noticed that there are 3 different methods of coating a screen, I use the "Method 1." Apply one coat of emulsion on the printing side, then dry the screen thoroughly. I did not apply emulsion on the squeegee side as the tech sheet specified.

My exposure time was way off. I'm am using one 250 watt bulb, but my exposure time was too much. One screen at 24 mins and the second at 20 mins. I was only supposed to expose it for 7.5 mins. My exposure distance was less than 20 inches. Will definitely keep distance in mind for the next test.

This is just the first of many tests that I will be doing and updating my blog about until I create my first print. Lots of different factors come into play but I am almost on my way. STAY DIRTY!

Getting UP at The Foothill

Well we are putting on another show at our flag-store The Foothill Art Gallery in Signal Hill. Artists Jesse Garcia, Francisco Lopez and Julio Villagomez will be featured in this new exhbit. The opening reception is this July 10-11 from 7-10pm. For more info on directions to our website, www.dvclothing.com. Hope all can make it and help support theses young artists. We always have great cheese and cheap wine. So come on out and mingle, network and look at some art. STAY DIRTY!