My Process Thread - From purchase to first prints (Ongoing)

[MGaums]

Newbie question : Is it possible that the prints are getting darker because the ink is killing the emulsion? I know when we've printed some waterbase inks on shirts here that over the course of printing the halftones will begin to break down, leaving larger holes for the ink to go through... thus making things darker & less detailed. Could be happening here, or no?

[slazareth]

Ok, so I've got my 110 mesh screen and my 230 mesh screen coated and drying. Tonight we will be printing color #2 (silver) onto the other nights run and then printing another black and white halftone photo for a second poster design. I doubt I'll be taking process photos as its just going to be the same thing and I have fewer people helping out tonight. I'll be sure to take pics of the final prints. Wish me luck!

Also, does anyone have home made plans for a drying rack? or any good ideas?

[Inkweasel]

I'd also like to mention that the first few prints we did were baffling because the vacuum table wasn't holding the paper down even though the vacuum was on. There were 4 of us standing there and it wasn't until 3 or so prints that I realized the vacuum wasn't hooked up to the table. It was just on with the tube laying in the floor.

Classic..
Youll fit right into the industry.
Oh, and good luck.

[slazareth]

Ok, so today I noticed two problems with my setup.

1) I need to pick up some haze remover. Other than ghosted images in my screen is there a problem with not using the haze remover? The first print I did had no problem rinsing color out all the way, but this one proved to be a little more troublesome.

2) The holes I drilled in my table are showing up in my prints They're creating a dark spot where every hole is. Is this because my holes are sticking up a little and I need to sand them down or something? or is it because the ink is being pushed down into these holes and due to the hole there's no resistance and more ink goes down. Any help here would be much appreciated.

I'm using 110C stock from French Paper.

[Andymac]

Too much suction probably. open up your hose a bit. How big were your holes? I use 3/32 drill bits. Sometimes on very thin paper or fabric the holes really show because the suction is pulling the ink through.

You do need to give the surface a quick sand to take the edge of the holes from drilling.

The ghosting should be removed by the dehaze, that is it's function. You can reduce the amount of staining by cleaning immediately, have some water with detergent mixed in, and hit your screen with a spongefull right after you are done printing. some inks stain more than others.

[phunka]

reds are always the worst for staining i find

[slazareth]

Alrighty, so today was busy and I didn't get a chance to take pictures. Tomorrow I should have pictures of at least 2 completed posters (maybe 3). I doubt I'll take anymore process photos unless someone wants something in particular.

Also, I've started the process of going through and sanding down the top of my table with 600 grit sandpaper. This is giving my table a flatter surface and hopefully not completely ruining its resistance to ink.

In a few weeks I plan to order a gallon of SEX emulsion because its seemed to work great for me and seems to be very forgiving on exposure times. I highly recommend it (my recommendation doesn't hold much merit really as I've just started this whole process and have nothing other than speedball emulsion to compare it to, but at half off your first quart of the stuff its really worth a shot for beginners). I'll also be ordering some haze remover. Performance Screen Supply has my emulsion so I guess I'll order the haze remover from them. They only have it as a haze reducer/degreaser for $35 for a gallon. Now I've got a large portion of degreaser that won't get used. Oh well, C'est la vie.

[slazareth]

also, are there any good threads on here about flattening stock that is pretty wavy? A room mate suggested a bed sheet + iron. Right now I've got them sitting under a piece of glass which has helped a little but I want them as dead flat as possible.

[Andymac]

Unrack, stack, and weight down with a board and weights over night or between printings.

Certain papers buckle more than others. thicker the better.

[slazareth]

Its 110 Cover Stock Smart White from French Paper Co. Should it be buckling a good bit? I'll try stacking them under my vacuum table plus some boxes or something and see how it goes.