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EXPOSING A SCREEN
Properly prepare the screen to be exposed.
The screen needs to be clean, dry and properly
tensioned.
Direct emulsion is typically applied with a scoop
coater. The scoop coater should fit inside the screen
and be larger than the image.
Working under subdued light, fill the coater’s
reservoir with room temperature direct emulsion.
Put the screen in the vertical position with the print
side facing out. Place the coater at the bottom
edge and tilt it slightly forward until the emulsion
touches the mesh. With even speed slowly pull the
coater towards the top of the screen. Stop pulling
the coater about two inches from the top and tilt the
coater slightly backwards to let the emulsion settle
into the reservoir.
Repeat this process for the inside (squeegee side).
There are many variables that influence how a screen is to be exposed. Some of these variables
are: emulsion brand, emulsion type, coating technique, mesh count, humidity, atmospheric
temperature, and even the light source itself. The Lumitron LED works best with pure
photopolymer emulsion or capillary film. The LED does work with dual cure emulations and other
diazo based products, but exposure times will be longer compared to using pure photopolymer.
It’s important to coat the outside (print side) first because it will leave a heavier
deposit on the screen.
Most likely, a small amount of emulsion will escape from the reservoir during the
coating process and leave thick deposits along the edge of emulsion. Just simply
remove the thick deposits by scraping off the excess.
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