Screen Printing - Reclaiming Screens: Emulsion Removal Process

home

Reclaiming Screens: Emulsion Removal Process

When you are done with your printing, the next hurdle to face is cleaning the screen. People who don't intend to reuse the screen, reclaiming need not be done. But it is hard to imagine anyone not wanting to reclaim the screen since it helps save money. Instead of buying a brand new screen, you can just use the old, reclaimed ones.

Reclaiming includes three steps: the ink removal, the emulsion or stensil removal, and the haze removal. The first step requires careful handling, otherwise it can damage the screen rather than reclaim it. The second step in reclaiming screens requires plenty of water and a good emulsion remover. There are different emulsion removers in the market that do the job in various ways and produce varying results. Emulsion removers should not be left to dry on the particular screen, unless stated on the instructions. Otherwise, the emulsion and its remover will be harder to remove. Keep in mind to follow the guidelines or instructions of your own stencil remover.

After applying or spraying emulsion remover on the particular screen, the next task is rinsing it with plenty of water. Pressure washers do the trick. The screen must be propped up against the wall so that it would not topple over when you spray it with water. The right pressure of water should be aimed on the right parts. The screen's small portions do not need high pressured water to rinse or wash off the emulsion remover. When you are done with emulsion removal, you might want to consider degreasing the screen, especially for future use.