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 #2

If you read last weeks entry you know I had allot of problems. With a fix of those problems and a few adjustments I had some success. Here are my results.

Following the instructions given for the emulsion I have, Ulano 925WR, I went ahead and coated the screen inside and outside the well. Let it dry and exposed for 7.5 minutes. Like magic my image appeared in the screen. Success with some notes.

• Exposure time should go a little longer, 10 mins.
• Used both a 300 mesh and 200 mesh screens. 300's are cherry.
• Also, always remember to mix your chemicals. Emulsion tends to seperate when not used. You can see that by how the screen looks streaked in color when dry.

Here is a pic of my first attempt at printing:

I was worried about the durability of the screen for multiple prints and runs. But so far it seems to be holding up. Printing on fabric is a lil different then paper. More ink is needed to seep into the fabric and equal amount of pressure will give you a solid print everytime. So here is my final result.

More to come!

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!

The final product and my 50th post.

This Sunday Robert G. and I finished the box that we set out to build back two weeks ago. Purchased two more stud pillars and three more half stud pillars. Reason for doing so was to really give the box some more support. All in all the box came out great. I am able to hold 10 19x22 inch screens and have some room to hold my paints, emulsion, scooper and many other things. Overall this box has cost me $50+ to build and it was done pretty quickly.

Starting this week I will be testing the box itself for any light leaks. Also I will give the door of the box a rubber sealing so that no light can leak from the front. As of now I have plans to test and make this box cherry. By the end of the month I should be printing shirts, totebags and more.

Lastly this is my 50th blog entry and it's been great. I've only been on since June of 2008 and it feels like yesterday I was talking about how my business and I are just starting out to now being able to print my own stuff and really take charge of what we are producing. I look forward to this next month and showing you what we can accomplish.

Making a silkscreen rack.

So this past sunday me and boy Robert G. began building a silkscreen rack so that I can coat the screen with emulsion and let them dry horizontally and in a dark area so they are not exposed to any kind of light. So when they are dry and ready to expose. Also is great storage for them.

Materials need to build a 4 foot high box with wheels (all purchased at Home Depot):


wood studs 4
half stud 8
3 1/2 inch wheels
a latch
silicone
2 8 foot plywood (as cheap as posssible)
6 - 10 nail bridge (picture below list)
lots of small nails (if you have a nail gun even better)
wood glue

"nail bridge"
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u269/dvclothing/IMG_0059.jpg
how they work...
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u269/dvclothing/IMG_0061.jpg

On the fly with just talks we were able to sketch out what we wanted did some measurements came
up with this pretty good box. Unique to for us to work with. Storing screens and let them get ready for burning my silkscreens and getting ready to print.

Next week should be the finished product and we'll begin to silkscreening next month some stuff and we'll surprise you with what we are going to start with. STAY DIRTY!

Let's try this from home.

4 months ago I purchase clamps for silk screening from McLogan's in Downtown LA. So this past Saturday I went to Ikea and purchased this great little table for 40 bucks. Home Depot and Ace Hardware helped with the rest:

Lampshade w/socket
250w Heat Lamp Bulb
4 1/4" inch screws w/ Phillips Head
Water Based Laquer

Lacquer for the table, didn't want it to ruin quickly so I'm coating two times for protection. Four screws to bolt to the table itself for sturdiness. Home Depot did not have the lamp I needed so I suggest I Ace Hardware.