How to Remove Photo Emulsion From a Silk Screen

Posted by Anonymous , 9/4/2007 Tags:RemovePhotoEmulsionFromSilkScreen
Post By :
Anonymous
Rate:
Vote

How to Remove Photo Emulsion From a Silk Screen

Introduction

Out with the old art, in with the new: after printing with photo emulsion, here's how to make sure you (your silk screen, actually) will live to print another day.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Steps

1

Step One

Clean all the ink off the silk screen. Use a pressure washer if you have one.
2

Step Two

Mix a solution of equal parts household bleach and water.
3

Step Three

Click to enlarge
Pour the bleach solution onto the surface of the silk screen.
4

Step Four

Click to enlarge
Scrub lightly with a nail brush or soft-bristled scrub brush and let sit for five minutes.
5

Step Five

Scrub the entire surface on both sides.
6

Step Six

Click to enlarge
Rinse with water.
7

Step Seven

Repeat until all the emulsion is removed.
8

Step Eight

Hold the screen up to a window or bright light and tip to view it at different angles.
9

Step Nine

Scrub until it's clean no matter at which angle you view it.
10

Step Ten

Allow to air dry fully before storing.

Tips & Warnings

  • Use the pressure washer (in a pinch, a garden hose) to wash the screen out. If you don't have any kind of a pressure device, washing will take longer and you'll scrub more.
  • You can buy commercial products for this purpose, such as CPS Screen Wash, but bleach works fine and is less expensive.
  • Make sure to get the emulsion off the taped edges of the screen as well as off the middle.
  • Wear gloves and goggles: photo emulsion is toxic and bleach is caustic.

Overall Things You'll Need

  • Buckets
  • Nail Brushes Or Soft Scrub Brush
  • Safety Goggles
  • Pressure Washers Or Garden Hose
  • Water
  • Rubber Gloves
  • Liquid Bleach
Tools: |