My 2nd Tee Print + Essential Equipments for Silk Screen Printing

Its a Saturday Morning!! haha... I love Saturdays!! hmm... just completed my 2nd Tee Print last nite. This time i've also tried printing on some Singlets. This Design looks cool to me, I've also keep 1 piece for myself :) the rest can be bought @ Hock Gift Shop. Hope you'll like the print too!!

My Tee Front Print

Zoom in Shot
(This Time I've keep the back Print Free)

My Singlet Front Print

Zoom in Shot

Silk Screen Essential Kit

Scoop Coater
(For apply emulsion onto your screen)

• A good Scoop Coater must have not rough or pointed edges. Such edges can tear your screen during the coating process.
• Make sure you wash off all excessive emulsion in the scoop coater after every use. never allows the emulsion to dry in your scoop coater. This would ruin your Scoop Coater.
• Be careful when washing your scoop coater, Never drop or knock it against hard object. If there is any dents on the coating side, you will not be able to achieve a thin perfect coat of emulsion.
• Width of Scoop Coater should be roughly 1-2 Inch shorter than the width of your Screen

A Good Squeegee

• For T-shirt Printing, You will need to use a Squeegee with Hard & Sharp Rubber Blade
• For Paper Printing, You may want to use a soft blade Squeegee
• Make Sure your Squeegee is wider thank your image
• I'll recommend you getting a Squeegee that is roughly 2 Inch shorter than your Scoop Coater (If I'm doing small Prints, i will not need to type up the perimeter of the screen that is not covered by the emulsion)
• Before every print, ensure there is no broken edges on the blade
• A hard & sharp pointed Blade will allows you to achieve a better print as it can effectively push all the ink thru your screen

My Screens

• Im using a 50cm by 60cm Screen, Mesh Count TP1200, Aluminium Frame (Highly recommended if you are planning to use them for Yrs, Wood Frame may get out of shape after sometime due to washing & soaking in water)
• Always make sure there is dry & dirt free before every use
• After every print, quickly wash away the unwanted ink, if you allow the ink to dry on your screen, you will have a hard time cleaning it in the future.
• You can also use a damp cloth to clean away the unwanted ink
• Excessive ink can be kept in an air-tight container after every Print

My 2nd Design (Military Skull Head)

• Make sure the print is free from ink before leaving it to dry.
• If there is any ink left dry in your image, Ink will not be pass thru during your next print. Eventually, you will have to re-do everything, all over again.

My 1000 Watt Flood Bulb
(Usually used for shinning signboards)

• When replacing the Bulb of your Flood Bulb, never touch the glass tube to the new bulb. Hold the tube by the side ends & push the new bulb into position.
• By touching the glass tube, bulb will be spoilt or even if it still works, it will not last very long.

I did not want to buy a big Vacuum Exposure Unit & I did not want to spend time building a Light box. so i used a glass fish tank instead. im getting a short & cool exposure using this idea

Just place my Flood Light in the Fish Tank & I can start burning my screens!!

• May need to invest in 2 flood light for a larger exposure area.
• Currently all my prints are A4 Size, so if the print is slightly bigger, I would need 2 Flood Light in the tank.

Emulsion, Sensitizer & 2 little Bottles (Given by your supplier)

• Always Remember, Once your Emulsion is mixed with the Sensitizer, you onli can keep it for 3 weeks @ 25 Degree Cel Room Temperature, you can also keep in a fridge (By keeping the sensitized emulsion in a fridge will prolong it lifetime up to 2 months).
• In the mixing process, Pour all the sensitizer into 1 of the little brown bottles. Fill the other bottle with warm water (40 to 50 Deg Cel) to the brim. Pour half of the water into the bottle filled with sensitizer. Shake it for 2 mins, then pour the rest of the warm water into the well mixed portion. shake it for another 30 sec. pour the solution into the emulsion. stir it evenly for 5 mins or when you only can see 1 color emulsion. Close the cap & allow the Sensitized Emulsion to sit for 1 hr, this will allow the bubbles to dissolve away. Now you can start using your Sensitized Emulsion.

* Caution: If you are keeping your emulsion in a fridge, make sure there is not food or drink in that fridge.

Get some Basic Color Ink on hand.

• Basic Color (Black, White, Red, Green, Yellow, Blue, Orange)
• The rest of the colors can always be achieved by mixing ard with your basic colors
  (EG. Pink = Red + White, Grey = White + Black)
• Keep your Bottled Inks in a cool area, away from direct sunlight

Emulsion Stripping Powder

• Pour all powder into a 10 Litres Container.
• Fill the container will water to the brim.
• Shake the bottle for 5 mins
• You will onli need a small amount of the solution to damp & strip all the emulsion from each screen.

Water Based Ink Cleanser
(So far I've not use this, cos i cant stand the strong ammonia smell)

Notes Written by: Tot Chua from HockGiftShop.com

Disclaimer: All the above information is from my personal experience, Do more practise & you will get used to the whole process. Always search thru forums, you can really learn lotsa tips from these discussions. Thank You for reading :)