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− | [[Category:Member Projects]]
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| == Intro == | | == Intro == |
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− | On February 18, 2009 I made my first attempt at creating a screen using Diazo photo emulsion from Speedball. Details to follow. --[[User:Nathaner|Nathan]] | + | On February 18, 2009 I made my first attempt at creating a screen using Diazo photo emulsion from Speedball. Details to follow. --[[User:Nathaner|Nathan]] |
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| == Preparation == | | == Preparation == |
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| * Speedball 10" squeegee | | * Speedball 10" squeegee |
| * NOTE: It would have been good to invest in a scoop coater as well | | * NOTE: It would have been good to invest in a scoop coater as well |
− | * Flat, heavy materials. I went with ''Flash MX Bible'', ''Visual Basic 6 Black Book'', ''SAMS Visual C++ 6'', ''SAMS Teach Yourself LAMP'' & ''Basic Electronics'' text book. | + | * Flat, heavy materials. I went with ''Flash MX Bible'', ''Visual Basic 6 Black Book'', ''SAMS Visual C++ 6'', ''SAMS Teach Yourself LAMP'' & ''Basic Electronics'' text book. |
| * Clothes you're not worried about ruining | | * Clothes you're not worried about ruining |
| * Patience | | * Patience |
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| == Application == | | == Application == |
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− | * Diazo photo emulsion kit requires mixing sensitizer (Black) into the base emulsion (Blue) to activate. Do so and mix vigorously (Resulting mixture turns green.) | + | * Diazo photo emulsion kit requires mixing sensitizer (Black) into the base emulsion (Blue) to activate. Do so and mix vigorously (Resulting mixture turns green.) |
| ** Directions state emulsion can last for up to 4 months when stored in refrigerator. | | ** Directions state emulsion can last for up to 4 months when stored in refrigerator. |
− | * Carefully applied emulsion to both sides of screen with Speedball squeegee. This is where I could have made less mess with a scoop coater. | + | * Carefully applied emulsion to both sides of screen with Speedball squeegee. This is where I could have made less mess with a scoop coater. |
− | * After checking that both sides were coated as evenly as possible I '''IMMEDIATELY''' took the screen to dry in a dark arrid place. In my case I used my oven (no heat necessary). According to instructions, dry the screen with the flat side down, but elevated. | + | * After checking that both sides were coated as evenly as possible I '''IMMEDIATELY''' took the screen to dry in a dark arrid place. In my case I used my oven (no heat necessary). According to instructions, dry the screen with the flat side down, but elevated. |
| ** screen appeared to be perfectly dry in 1 hour, could have gone with 45 minutes probably. | | ** screen appeared to be perfectly dry in 1 hour, could have gone with 45 minutes probably. |
− | * Do not expose screen to light until you are ready for printing. This is why I need to build a drying box. | + | * Do not expose screen to light until you are ready for printing. This is why I need to build a drying box. |
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| == Exposure == | | == Exposure == |
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− | * I burned the screen for 15 minutes, checked it, uneducated guess is that it needs more time to expose. Check again in 15 more minutes. (10:34 PM) | + | * I burned the screen for 15 minutes, checked it, uneducated guess is that it needs more time to expose. Check again in 15 more minutes. (10:34 PM) |
| ** Now is a good time to note that I should have attached my positive to the screen so when I checked it the alignment wouldn't get messed up. | | ** Now is a good time to note that I should have attached my positive to the screen so when I checked it the alignment wouldn't get messed up. |
− | * I decided to let it stay for another 30 that way if it overexposed I would have a high point of reference. From what little experience I have it doesn't seem to have changed much. The emulsion basically just gets ''slightly'' more transparent. | + | * I decided to let it stay for another 30 that way if it overexposed I would have a high point of reference. From what little experience I have it doesn't seem to have changed much. The emulsion basically just gets ''slightly'' more transparent. |
− | * After 45 minutes I pulled the screen off the light and washed out the print areas with my high pressure spray nozzle. It takes a minute or two for the areas to start clearing out (I was worried) but then slowly they will empty out. | + | * After 45 minutes I pulled the screen off the light and washed out the print areas with my high pressure spray nozzle. It takes a minute or two for the areas to start clearing out (I was worried) but then slowly they will empty out. |
| * Letting screen dry completely will I prepare my kitchen table for test prints. | | * Letting screen dry completely will I prepare my kitchen table for test prints. |
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| == Result == | | == Result == |
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− | [http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3503/3292457236_d59f36e353.jpg?v=0 My first custom shirt]<br> | + | [http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3503/3292457236_d59f36e353.jpg?v=0 My first custom shirt]<br /> |
| [http://flickr.com/photos/nathaner/tags/screenprintingtest/ Full set on Flickr] | | [http://flickr.com/photos/nathaner/tags/screenprintingtest/ Full set on Flickr] |
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− | Came out way better than I could have imagined. Only a few things to note:<br> | + | Came out way better than I could have imagined. Only a few things to note:<br /> |
− | * The color blends into shirt fabric too much. This isn't so bad on light colored shirts, but on dark/black it's nearly impossible to see. I'll have to research further on types of ink to use (went with water solvable for this attempt) and step up to multi-color prints at some point. | + | * The color blends into shirt fabric too much. This isn't so bad on light colored shirts, but on dark/black it's nearly impossible to see. I'll have to research further on types of ink to use (went with water solvable for this attempt) and step up to multi-color prints at some point. |
| * A finer screen mesh, which could be a little more expensive, would yield better results on firmer surfaces like paper. | | * A finer screen mesh, which could be a little more expensive, would yield better results on firmer surfaces like paper. |
| * DEFINITELY need to learn how to stretch my own screens for saving cost. | | * DEFINITELY need to learn how to stretch my own screens for saving cost. |
− | * For future screen burns, I'm thinking of incorporating some kind of test pattern in the corner or my screens that I will mask off at printing time. This will make it easier to check the progress of exposure without compromising the artwork. | + | * For future screen burns, I'm thinking of incorporating some kind of test pattern in the corner or my screens that I will mask off at printing time. This will make it easier to check the progress of exposure without compromising the artwork. |
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| + | [[Category:Member Projects]] |