Step 3: Exposing Your Image
Welcome to Art2Silkscreen's first series of tutorials on how to properly screen print your designs.
In today's blog, we are going to take you through, step-by-step, how to expose your image in order to create the perfect stencil. Make sure you read the following instructions carefully for a perfect print design!
For this step, we use our Pro UV vacuum exposure unit with an exposure time of 120 seconds. However, your exposure time may vary depending on your light source.
Reminder: For best results in exposing your image, complete this stage in a dimly lit room.
1: Position the Artwork
Before you begin, it’s important to get the position of your artwork correct so that it prints correctly onto your garment. This needs to be done by ensuring that the stencil is positioned just right on the silkscreen.
To do this, position your garment on the printing board and make a mark of the neckline. Next, place your design onto the garment and secure use low tack tape.
After placing your screen inside your printing press, lower it flat onto the garment. From here, use your ruler to make exact measurement, from the screen’s frame to the registration marks on the artwork. You can also measure from inside of the image to make sure the design is exactly centre.
2: Mark Your Measurements
After making a note of all your measurements, you need to transfer them onto your exposure unit. Use a marker to outline where your silkscreen frame is going to be placed with your design in the centre. Turn on your yellow safe bulbs to help see your artwork in dim conditions.
To help centre your artwork, use your ruler and draw some centre lines at the bottom, or use a t-square. The key is the make sure the registration marks are completely central. Once you’ve got it, use low tack tape to secure the artwork.
3: Prepping For Exposure
Now, using your outline, place your screen onto the exposure unit on top of the design. If you’d rather double-check and make sure everything’s still aligned, you can do so with your ruler.
Next, lower the lid of the exposure unit, locking it down using the clamps on either side. Make sure the air valve is closed and then switch the vacuum on. Wait until the neoprene gets tight around the frame. The suction should make it tight on all the corners. Make sure there are no loose areas.
Once all that is done, you are now ready for exposure.
4: Expose
Simply press the “expose” button and the light will come on. Wait until 120 seconds have passed and the machine will automatically switch the exposure lights off. You will need also to switch your vacuum off, however, some of our machines here at Art2Silkscreen have a vacuum that automatically switches off.
Once done, release the air valve so that the neoprene rises up again. Now you can release the latches and raise the lid. Gently peel off the artwork from the silkscreen then gently soak the screen. Try not to rub too hard so as not to damage the stencil. Be sure to do both sides.
5: Wash Off & Dry
Place your screen inside the wash booth and wash over with a hose. Avoid using the pressure setting as the stencil is still fragile at this stage and can be damaged. Wash until all the sensitiser residue has been cleaned off. Mark sure the registration marks are clear as well.
Hold your screen up to the light to make sure any emulsion residue has been scrubbed off and you can see right through the design. Shake off any excess water and hold in front of a fan heater to dry.
After this, you’re ready to use your stencil to print your very own print design.
Now you've finished this step, take a look at our next blog post for the next stage: Preparing Your Screen For Printing!
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