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!

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.