The above web address shows photographs as well as explanations of how to use the screen printing machine to expose your screen, however I have also included the basic but effective instructions which are shown below [I found these instructions incredibly direct and helpful as I had never used this particular machine to expose my screen before]:
1. Place the acetate matt side up onto the glass top
of the exposure unite
2. Place the silk screen flat side down on top of the
acetate
3. Bring down the lid and put the locks on.
4. Press the vacuum button and wait for the lid to
compress down onto the screen
5. Press the green button labelled “start” to begin
exposure.
6. The timer on the exposure unite starts at 85 and
will count down to zero when exposing.When
the exposure time is completed you can then
switch the vacuum off and take out the screen for
washing
In order to expose the screen I had to complete a scree request form, this enabled the technicians to coat my screen ready for the exposure. Screen Printing is a printing technique that uses a woven mesh to support an ink-blocking stencil. The attached stencil forms open areas of mesh that transfer ink or other printable materials which can be pressed through the mesh as a sharp-edged image onto a substrate. A roller or squeegee [I used a squeegee which worked very effectively] is then moved across the screen stencil, forcing the ink past the threads of the woven mesh in the open areas. Screen Printing can be used for endless objects, such as cushions, quilts, various materials, clothing etc.. It can be produced with masses of material, in order to ensure that your print is in line with previous prints its vital that you mark the edges of the screen with masking tape, this will enable you to see where you last placed your screen [this is also important if you want to add other colours on to your print]
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