How To Screen Print: Washing Out The Stencil & Reclaiming

[Zombielolcats]

Love the video! I'm just learning how to do screen printing with paper stencils at school, can't wait to get to emulsion and your videos are a great heads up!

[CatspitProductions]

@Zombielolcats Nice, thank you! Very cool, make sure to share my videos with your class. I appreciate the support! Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[reactionsb1]

Hi, i love your videos, def. the best I've seen anywhere. That said, I am having a reoccurring issue, when I go to wash out my screens after exposure, the emulsion peels off and bubbles. i see the image clearly and then as time goes on I watch it melt away along with my hopes and excitment! I have properly degreased the screens and thoroughly rinsed any residue, Im pretty sure the exposure time is good because the image shows crystal clear. Could you shed some light on this please! Thanks

[CatspitProductions]

@reactionsb1 Thank you, I'm very happy to hear that you think my videos are the best. That means a lot and I appreciate it. It sounds like you're having an exposure problem. It's most likely under exposed even though you can see the image latent on the emulsion after the exposure. Either that or you're just spending too much time in the water. I'll send you a video on this. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment! ☠

[23FJA]

Great... as always

[CatspitProductions]

@23FJA Thank you! Thanks for watching and commenting! ☠

[zeriice9900]

he said welcome to the education, holy bloody head he's nerd! youre awsome dude

[CatspitProductions]

@zeriice9900 Yes, I am nerdy. Come get schooled! Thanks for watching and leaving a comment! ☠

[andersenchong]

watching your video, it saves my silkscreen learning course, you are great! Bro~

[CatspitProductions]

@andersenchong Nice, thank you! Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[uttermeamumble]

You said to de-grease the screen would simple green work for that?

[CatspitProductions]

@uttermeamumble I’m not sure about that. I don’t know what is in Simple Green. It may be fine but it may also leave a residue on the mesh. Or it may be too aggressive on the mesh. I have never used it for that purpose. I would recommend using a product made for the purpose or you have to find soap without any additives or ingredients that will be left behind. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment! ☠

[420jaymac]

when ur washing out your screen does your room/workshop need to be lit with UV light so it doesnt damage the emulsion on the screen?

[CatspitProductions]

@420jaymac Not really. You can turn the lights on when it’s wet but subdued light will suffice. Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[420jaymac]

@CatspitProductions thanks for your response ..so when screen printing, is the only time u need UV light is when you are putting the emulson on the screens?

[CatspitProductions]

@420jaymac No problem. The only time you want UV light is when you expose the screen. Otherwise you want to keep it out of the light until after it is exposed and washed out. Then it can dry in the light and be used. Thanks for the support! ☠

[OldDirtyRetard]

purrrrrrrr keep spittin mr cat, you teach so many

[CatspitProductions]

@OldDirtyRetard Thanks! Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[joelsindayen2009]

this is so great...

[CatspitProductions]

@joelsindayen2009 Nice, thank you! Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[KONTRAORDEN]

thank you it was really helpful :)

[CatspitProductions]

@KONTRAORDEN No problem, my pleasure. Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[763boi]

@/CatspitProductionsns

What Did you spray to the screen for the paint to come off?

[CatspitProductions]

@763boi I use SaatiChem’s ER2 to remove emulsion and either IR4 or PW4 to remove plastisol inks. You can find SaatiChem chemicals at a discount with free shipping on the Catspit website. The link is on the channel page. Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[matticus12345]

So how do screens work? It it basically a stencil with the opening covered with screen?

[CatspitProductions]

@matticus12345 I’ll send you the video that explains the process. Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[adriantengku]

Thank you very much.....

[CatspitProductions]

@adriantengku No problem, my pleasure. Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[echahbinabil1980]

i need name for prodect spray for cleam my screen and for use other time with other desin, and thank you

[CatspitProductions]

@echahbinabil1980 It's called emulsion remover. I use Saatichem's ER2. You can find it on the Catspit Productions website with a 5% discount and free shipping. Check the Print Supplies page. Thanks for

watching & commenting! ☠

[redlegend76]

Hi, Ive just started screen printing and had problems washing out the stencil. Alot of the emulsion washed out along with the stencil. Any ideas on what went wrong ?

[CatspitProductions]

@redlegend76 It sounds like the emulsion was very under exposed. Try a longer exposure but make sure your film is dense enough to block the light during a longer exposure. Or if it is a dual cure emulsion, make sure you added the sensitizer. Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[daniel6794]

Ur right. Bleach is weak compare to emulsion removers, there s specific products for every step of this process. I was putting it out there for people that cant afford all of the products at once or people that needs to screenprint for a couple of times only. I really like your videos they are very informative and friendly. I disagree about sunlight being slower than bulbs. I ve cured for 11 years using sunlight 90% of times. It needs as little as 8 seconds when is sunny. Thanks for your videos

[CatspitProductions]

@daniel6794 I hear you; I just want to make sure people know how to do it so it is easy. I mention bleach on my website in the consumables usage chart article. But in the end using the right tools and supplies for the job will make things much easier. 8 seconds is a very fast exposure time in any situation. You must have used very fast projection emulsion but trust me; the sun puts out less UV than screenprinting exposure units. They are much better for exposures. Thanks for your support! ☠

[daniel6794]

For those who dont have any equipment, you can use a spray bottle instead of a pressure hose. Use thinner to remove emulsion but you have to apply bleach on it and let it sit for about 15 minutes before you clean it with thinner. Best of all, if you dont have any money to buy a light table you can always expose to sunlight. The hard part is to calculate how long you expose it, but once you get the hang of it, is much easier and faster than any other light. could take 15 seconds of exposure.

[CatspitProductions]

@daniel6794 Using a spray bottle to washout a screen will make your life very difficult. A garden hose is much better. Thinner does not remove emulsion. Bleach does but it is weak compared to emulsion removers. Sunlight is very inconsistent and actually puts out less UV light than bulbs designed to cure emulsion. Most often it is much slower and your environment can affect exposure times daily. Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[eisner2121]

I could really use some advice... I use a 300w Halogen Lightbulb 27" above the stencil. Did a double print of the stencil just to make sure it was opaque enough, and let it expose for 30min. When i put water after exposing I'll start to show a little of the image and when getting close the edge of the image will peel away. I am using higher pressure like in this video, however I'm trying to use halftones as well... I can't tell where my problem is.. Any advice?? Great video by the way!!

[CatspitProductions]

@eisner2121 Pretty sure I’m not using high pressure in the video to wash out a stencil. It’s garden hose pressure, which should be enough. And make sure you prep the mesh well by degreasing it and rinsing it well before you coat it with emulsion. Doubling up film for halftones isn’t the greatest but you may want to try a higher wattage bulb to get better light. Glad you like the video! Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[madbeto73]

thanks for the reply, you are a cool and interesting guy , by any chance are you in any way related to skateboarding?

[CatspitProductions]

@madbeto73 Hey thanks much! Related to skateboarding? Only in that I used to skate some years ago but now I just ride BMX to stay in shape. I’m too old to skate and keep working every day. I was never a Tony Hawk! And visits to the doctor cost too much now…LOL. Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[madbeto73]

Very cool video, you explain very well and friendly, I'm starting to print my company"s shirts so I will need some advice, I just got all the basic equipment and setting up in my garage, so my question today is = once u apply the emulsion, how long do you let it dry before it can go into the UV light with the art?

[CatspitProductions]

@madbeto73 Thanks, glad you like the video. Just let it dry out completely. As soon as it is dry to the touch and it’s not tacky at all it should be fine. If it feels cool or moist let it dry more. I normally let mine dry at night so they are ready to go in the A.M. Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[goldfinger17]

WHat kind of emulsion is that? Photographic?

[CatspitProductions]

@goldfinger17 Yes, it’s a direct liquid photopolymer emulsion mad by SaatiChem. Check out the Print Supplies page on the Catspit website for their products with a Catspit discount. Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[estebangomez182]

Gastas tanta agua en cada Plancha :O!

[CatspitProductions]

@estebangomez182 LOL, yes it does use a lot of water. Thanks for watching and commenting! ☠

[JuiceBox801]

Great video! Im having problem washing out my image - i can see the image but it's not washing out completely through. could it be the exposure time? Im using a hololamp - 18inch up - pink diazo and exposed it for 16mins. Should I expose it for less time?

[CatspitProductions]

@JuiceBox801 I’ll message you on this. Thanks for watching and commenting! ☠

[Misana]

you da man... thank you for putting this up!

[CatspitProductions]

@Misana You’re welcome. It’s my pleasure to help out and share information. ☠

[v8power101]

why not just expose the back side after your wash out to cure the crap on the back.....

[CatspitProductions]

@v8power101 Yes, you can do that. It’s called a post cure. Certain emulsions will take a post cure while others are said not to. I think photopolymers are receptive to post cures if I remember correctly. Thanks for watching and commenting! ☠

[perry80s]

GREAT VID!

[CatspitProductions]

@perry80s Thanks much! I appreciate the comment! Thanks for watching! ☠

[pakalolo07]

where is the best place to get emulsion sheets, transparent paper...more screens and paint?...thanks!

[CatspitProductions]

@pakalolo07 That would have to be the Catspit Productions Print Supply page on the Catspit website. 5% discount when you use the Catspit code and free shipping from Saati. Check it out! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[Zvonceyoga]

This is a really good video for me as a beginner. But, do I need, is it necessary press washer? I don't have a place.

[CatspitProductions]

@Zvonceyoga Glad you like the video! Yes, a pressure washer will be necessary in my opinion for reclaiming screens. Removing emulsion will be difficult without one. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[pakalolo07]

@CatspitProductions will paint thinner work?

[CatspitProductions]

@pakalolo07 Paint thinner will work for cleaning ink off of screens but it will not remove emulsion. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[yuddda]

nice vid

[CatspitProductions]

@yuddda Thanks much! I appreciate the comment!

[crumblyfairy]

omg you're so much cooler and more helpful than my teacher!

[CatspitProductions]

@crumblyfairy Thanks a lot! I appreciate the sentiment. Glad you are finding my videos to be useful. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[Jimbolalo]

Thanks man! I realized I was over exposing my screen and the burned emulsion wasn't coming off because of it lol now I'm just worried about where to get larger transparencies and good fit t shirts that r cheap. Like I printed a shirt but it wasn't large enough

[CatspitProductions]

@Jimbolalo You are welcome! My pleasure to help out. Get your shirts form a vendor as close to you as possible to limit or eliminate shipping fees. That always helps a lot. You will have to research the oversized film issue. Good luck! Thanks for watching & commenting!

[Jimbolalo]

Is that bulb expensive dude? I'm only 17 money is scarce lol and take the mirror out what do u mean? Thanks too

[CatspitProductions]

@Jimbolalo Not at all. They range from 15 to 20 dollars US. There is a piece of glass in the work light. Just take it out. It may have UV coating that will affect the exposure. Good Luck!

[Jimbolalo]

The emulsion is brand new. I got a 150 wat bulb today that helped but still only 75% of the image comes through the minor details stay burned in the screen. The coat is thin btw . Semi curing?

[CatspitProductions]

@Jimbolalo Try a 500 watt quartz halogen work lamp and take the glass out before you expose screens. And make sure your film is very opaque. Double it up if you have to. Semi curing happens when the film is not opaque and light passes through only partially curing the emulsion. It is enough to keep it from washing out. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[Jimbolalo]

after I burn my screen I go to wash it off and after half an hour only bits of it come off and I mean BITS.. idk what to do I flooded my bathroom trying to be patient. Yet u did it in half a minute . I'm using speedball kit. Would my lamp be the problem or my emulsion? My screen looks like he'll already and my dreams of making tees have gone down the drain man

[CatspitProductions]

@Jimbolalo It is very hard to diagnose or analyze problems without seeing what you are doing sand what is actually happening. The emulsion could be bad. How old is it? It’s probably a dual cure that comes with Speedball and if it is over a month old, it is probably bad. Either that or you are semi curing it through the film. You could try a more opaque film too. Or maybe too thick of a coat, hard to say. Thanks for watching & commenting!

[cadapicho]

Wow man you help me a LOT Thank you very much you take out a Puertorican Man jajaja PUERTO RICO SEND YOU HUGS bye!

[CatspitProductions]

@cadapicho You are welcome! It is my pleasure to help out. I appreciate you taking the time to say thanks. That means a lot. Thanks for watching & commenting!

[ElwinMDK]

Thanks man! You washed out my mind for screen print coz I`m pretty new to it and I even thought the emulsion can be removed during the exposure!

[CatspitProductions]

@ElwinMDK - LOL. Happy to hear I could be of help to you! Thanks for watching & commenting!

[McDougal]

where can i get the chemicals for the cleaning? i would imagine an Art Supply store, but what about Walmart or Target or something?

[CatspitProductions]

Screen printing supplies are mostly found at a screen print supplier. Most art stores will have something for screen printing but it will be all design for the hobbyist, not like the chemicals I am showing you in my videos. You can just Google screen printing supplies and it will give you hundreds of options. I am currently seeking a sponsorship so I cannot recommend a supplier directly as of yet. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[redbusboy]

Thanks for the videos. I've just started to get into screen printing, and your tuts have been a great learning tool. Do you have any vendors you prefer to get your tools from? Or do you get them from a mixture of places depending on what you're getting (screens, inks, ect.)? And, if you don't mind me asking, how did you begin printing? Thanks a bunch.

[CatspitProductions]

@redbusboy - You are welcome! You can just Google screen printing supplies and it will give you hundreds of options. I am currently seeking a sponsorship so I cannot recommend a supplier directly as of yet. I hope that will change soon as many people are asking me where to get supplies. I started screen printing when I was 11. My family has been involved with screen printing since before I was born. Thats how I became involved with this industry. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[boogski]

I'm using an emulsion that doesn't need an activator. Which is better to use? Do you usually apply 1 x1 both sides thin layer? What is the dry time?

[CatspitProductions]

Emulsions without catalysts are SBQ photopolymers. They are very fast and durable but require very opaque film positives to achieve good results. I do one coating pass for each side ending on the substrate side. I use the thinner blade edge on the scoop coater. A thinner stencil will give better detail. The drying time will depend on your local relative humidity. In AZ it only takes 30 min to an hour. Check out my other videos about coating screens. Thanks for watching!

[MrHW]

hi, i have a question about washing out my screen. What is the reclaimer that you use in ur video to get the emotion off and do you sell it?

[CatspitProductions]

Contact me through the website and I will be more than happy to share the details of the emulsion remover and where to buy it. The link is on the channel page and in the side bar. Thanks for watching!

[mjade14]

Great video...very informative. I have a question thought...what if my stencil isnt coming out completely clean? there is still some emulsion in the screen and its blocking the ink from coming through. What am i doing wrong? Is it possible my positive isn't dark enough and leaking light through and partially burning my screen in the light? thanks so much

[CatspitProductions]

Thanks and youre welcome. Yes, it is a very common problem for stencils to lack the opacity needed to block the exposure source light 100%. If your film doesnt block all the light, it will be semi exposed and therefore never wash out properly. Thanks for watching!

[xStraightEdgexH20]

hey, great video!

i have some questions for you

1) what is a cheap, or very easy way to reclaim a screen

2) where can i get emulsion? other than online

3) is there a special emulsion i need?

4) when you want to burn a design, do you need to put the emulsion on the screen in the dark, cuz its light sensitive? and then burn it in the dark also? and wait however long you need to for it to burn?

thank you.

im just starting on printing

[CatspitProductions]

Please watch my other videos and visit the Catspit website for answers to your questions about how to screen print. Emulsion for screen printing must be purchased from a screen print supply vendor. All of the emulsion work is done under a safe light. And make sure to watch the new video on reclaiming and de hazing. It goes into a lot more detail. Website link in sidebar! Thanks for watching!

[PoconutPirate]

Thanks, that was very helpful.

I googled pressure washers and most of the searches looked like lawn mowers or something. Is the pressure washer that you used just the nozzle attached to a regular garden hose or is it part of a huge lawn mower-ish machine?

Also, I know this is the wrong video to ask.. I just got a 10 x 12 frame and I'm wondering what size scoop coater should I get..?

[CatspitProductions]

A pressure washer can look like a lawn mower if it is gas powered. For most screen printing shops, electric is preferred because of indoor usage. There are nozzles for garden hoses but none of them will reach the pressures of a pressure washer. Check out the Catspit Blog entry - The Pressure Washer Dilemma - from August 6th. It has a lot of information on pressure washers. The Catspit Blog is on the Catspit website with a lot more great screen printing info! Thanks for watching!

[CatspitProductions]

You want to get a scoop coater that will fit in the frame with about 1 to 2 inches on each side near the frame edge to spare.

[DGRZ13]

about the air compresor, i use a regular hair blowdryer and it pretty much does the job, ideal for (home screen printers)

[CatspitProductions]

Very cool. Sounds like a good idea! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[stiletag]

Hi I asked some questions on your website but I never got a response, I was wondering if you got them or if you were just ignoring them. It's ok if you're ignoring them because I know you're probably very busy

[CatspitProductions]

I think I just sent you the answers you were looking for. I never ignore any questions or comments. It just takes time to answer them all in the detail that I do. I welcome all questions and I will answer all of them. Just allow some response time please. Thanks for watching!

[stiletag]

Nice Video. I sent an email to you from your website and asked a few questions, I didn't know if you got it or not coz I didnt get a response, thanks!

[CatspitProductions]

Thank you. I answer all questions. Just allow some time for me to respond. Thanks for watching!

[Pygmalionisme]

Great vid, thanx for sharing, greetings from Mexico .

[CatspitProductions]

Well, hello there.... you are very welcome! Thanks for watching!

[Suorrel]

Cool vids. : )

[CatspitProductions]

Thank you!

[puppetplant]

Another great video good sir.

[CatspitProductions]

Thanks for watching!