screen printing > Newbie
Base for starting exposure test (yeah another one)
Gilligan:
Ok... as you guys know, I'm extremely ignorant to coating screens and exposing them.
Well... I need to get a job going and I decided to go for it. I coated 3 screens with Chromaline blue... 2 passes on the shirt side followed by 1 pass on the squeegee side (rounded edge). It went ok... no mess, does that count for anything. ;)
Now I'm gonna expose using a vacuum storage bag and a 400w metal halide bulb (technically on a HPS ballast). I'll put the light about 4' above the screen (in it's stock hood... it was a grow light given to me).
What I'm wondering is what do you guys think my exposure time will be? I don't have an exposure calc or anything. With the vacuum bag I'll have a hard time doing a exposure test by uncovering at intervals. I do have a fixxon sample pack that came with a sample of half tones and text exposed on one of their films. Not sure if that could be useful.
Any advice to get me a decent exposure as quickly as possible... I promise I'll fine tune it later. The design I need to print is only 20 toddler shirts 2 color spot color with EXTREMELY loose registration (no colors touching).
prozyan:
4 feet is quite the distance. 30-36" would be more in the neighborhood.
As for your exposure time, anything I threw out would be a total guess.
Gilligan:
Yeah, you are right... my math was wrong. I'd thought it seemed far but I didn't put pencil to paper, just off the cuff in my head at 1am ;)
So 3' distance not 4'.
Honestly, your guess will probably be a LOT better than my guess. ;)
tpitman:
You need to crack your wallet for the $7 or so for a Stouffer scale from Victory Factory or anyone else who sells them. Takes the guesswork out of calculating exposure times. Or ask Andy to rouse "Step-Wedge Man" from his premature retirement, although serious alcoholic fortification is strongly advised before looking upon the dazzling visage of Step-Wedge Man . . .
Fresh Baked Printing:
Here's a video from Roger Jennings that explains the step wedge thing pretty good"
http://youtu.be/29g2uHkdC_c
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