How to coat a Screen!

Make sure you have a degreased, dry silk screen ready for use.

For this use the CCI DXP Diazo-Photopolymer Dual Cure Direct Emulsion from ryonet.

Mix up your photo emulsion according to the directions on the package. The emulsion has two parts, the first being a pink liquid, the second a clear "activator." The emulsion is light-sensitive when these two parts are combined, attaining its greatest sensitivity when fully dry.

Pour about 4 oz. of the mixed emulsion into a scoop coater.

Place the silk screen in a vertical position tipped slightly back, about 75 to 70 degree angle from the floor with the flat side of the screen facing you. Make sure that it is wedged in such a way so as not to move when you apply pressure to it.

Hold the scoop coater horizontally in both hands and press with enough pressure so that a bead line is across the screen. Tip the scoop coater so that the emulsion makes even contact across the entire lip of the coater and the tape of the screen.

Pull upward until you reach the top of the screen but a inch or so from the frame. There should now be an even, thin film of emulsion across the surface of the screen.

Tip the scoop coater back, breaking contact with the screen while being careful not to drip any emulsion. If there is any excess emulsion at the top of the screen that is threatening to move down onto its surface, wipe it away with a paper towel.

Repeat the process you have used for the two sides so as to coat the entire image area.

Wipe up any excess emulsion immediately after finishing the coating and place the screen face up in a dark closet or room to dry. This will take about 3 hours under normal conditions, but can be speeded up considerably by using a fan to blow air over the surface of the screen.

Use a plastic spatula to push the excess emulsion out of the scoop coater and into the container.