Bleeding, Bubbling and Streaking Ink...

[Marc123]

Hey all,

I exposed a really great stencil, sharp edges, no holes and had coated both sides. When I pulled for my first colour, the ink bled under the stencil, the ink also bubbled in places and I got streaking. A real triple whammy. I am using paper stock with a mild texture. Any suggestions welcome to defeat these evil no good s.o.b's

Many thanks.

M
[IMG] Marc Lawrence Screen 03 by MarcLawrence, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG] Marc Lawrence Screen 02 by MarcLawrence, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG] Marc Lawrence Screen 01 by MarcLawrence, on Flickr[/IMG]

[strawberryluna]

the first 2 looks like maybe your screen doesn't have enough tension? is it super tight or kind of floppy? and a little too much ink on the pull.

the 3rd photo looks like maybe not enough ink.

also, is your ink mixed enough? it looks like there are some pigment solids not really emulsified maybe. like when you use transparent base vs. extender base and you get that leathery texture. which, some folks love.

[Iron Canvas Studios]

I agree with the tension thing. Also kinda seems like maybe your ink is too thin and/or you don't have enough off contact.

[Quinine]

Agreed. First two look overprinted - either too much ink on your pull or pushing down too hard when printing. I recently had a similar issue w/ hand pulling some really fine detail w/ black ink. Ended up scrapping a handful of prints until I got the right ink load and feel down. Also, might want to double check your off contact. If it's too high then you may be pulling down extra hard to get your squeegee to the paper. Conversely, you don't want it too close either. There should be enough room for the screen to snap away cleanly from the paper. Good luck.

[marvinc02]

1. bleeding - ink too thin, more upright squeegee angle.
2. bubbling - laying ink down too heavily, more off contact or more screen tension, more upright squeegee angle.
3. streaking - less clothes, not enough ink, improper flood.

your ink looks transparent, flood must be consistent or prints will vary in density.

[steve w]

other possible issues:
-mesh too low: 200 or 230 is good for paper
-image too close to edge of screen
-your pull: keep your pressure even to the end of the pull. don't go fast.

as for the texture, are you using fabric ink on paper?

[vrooooom]

the last one looks cool as is.

[Andymac]

you need some antiblobulator additive.

[NeroInferno]

the 2 first pics:

- the ink is too thin for that mesh and paper. Probabily your off contact is too much and your printing speed is or too much fast. (when you pull the thinned ink flood everywhere). If you are using off contact means you should have tension problem with your mesh. Check it with a tensionmeter (or go to any print shop with a tensiometer).

the third pic:
- your thread count is too much high or you pressure wasn't enough (probabily without a good previous flood, and yes also a fast pull!).

Good luck and keep us updated!
Fabio

[Marc123]

Thanks all, these suggestions are really helpful. I am using a 90 mesh count and sourced my water based ink from these guys
I did find that ink quite thin. I've used system 3 acrylic paint with retarder in before and had no problem with that.
Will keep you posted