Emulsions: The Sequel....What Do YOU Use?!

[Mr Tees!!]

Hey gang..didnt want to ride the coattails of the previous topic, as it concerned a specific emulsion type.

...I have not been real pleased with the emulsion I am using for WB/discharge. I am currently using Xenon 903WR, using the Xenon hardener, blocking out with emulsion, post-exposing, all that stuff. The issue is that the stencil still gets "tacky" and the garment sticks to it, pulling it off the pallet. This is especially true in the areas where the ink wells up, like between the squeegee and the floodbar. I have, however, been totally pleased with this emulsion in all other aspects when using plastisol (price, exposure time, reclaimability, etc).

What I would like to see this thread become is a sort of user database of what products, methods, and suppliers you folks use for this. For instance,I have heard some of you mention adding extra diazo, what effects does that have, all around? How do you get more of it separately, and from where? How much extra do you add, is it a percentage? I would also be interested in coating techniques; I wonder if its better to have more stencil on the squeege side for durability?

Any comments GREATLY appreciated. Thanks gang!....

[Gilligan]

peep this thread.

http://www.theshirtboard.com/index.php/topic,3818.0.html

I certainly don't mind you piling on.  Plus the more attention it gets the better it serves EVERYONE!

[Mr Tees!!]

Thanks Gilly, I actually DID consider that list, which is quite informative. Trouble is, all but one is being used for plastisol. I was hoping to gather more info on discharge specifically, especially from the shops doing longer runs, or any shop that has the whole process nailed down tight, yknow?

...also, havent forgotten to get you that info on the dryer, its just been stupid ridiculous crazy here. Ill get it to ya, I promise....

[Gilligan]

I knew you hadn't forgotten.  I have not been in a rush yet either so no sweat.

I knew what you were after and I agree, the list isn't there yet... YET.  It will take time and a bit of effort by everyone.

What we have so far is getting good... I'm just hoping more people get the time to dump some info into it.

Until then I'll just have to be that guy and bump it up from time to time because it will drop off the map and people will forget.

[Homer]

guys -there was an awesome thread going on this with some of the big guys chiming in, not knocking yours gilly, but it was the king sh*t of emulsion info. . .let me see if I can hunt it down. .Mr. Courday made an appearance.

[Gilligan]

ZERO offense taken... I'm the new kid on the block... I just was looking to get something all in one page without the need to read for days through various pages of thread post and between people talking about their favorite fish and the ways to cook it.

If we could revive that thread and get those involved to input some data on the spreadsheet then we really could have a great resource for everyone.

That spreadsheet isn't "mine", it's everyone here's spreadsheet.  I just got the ball rolling with it.

[tonypep]

I use the CCI 25WR with their hardenerX......both plastisol/waterbase

[Mr Tees!!]

...Thanks Tony! Knowing the sort of shops you work with, I assume you make pretty long runs with it? Does it get "tacky" too, and is that just inherent in the process? Are you using it as-is, or adding diazo or anything?

...TIA!!

[ebscreen]

Aquasol HV with post exposure in the California Sunshine and Murakami's Hardener.

We're finishing up with a 27,000 piece discharge run on the same set of screens. We rinse
at end of day, dry, and start again.

We leave the screens flooded during lunch and double print a few tests before beginning production again.

The screens will get tacky and might lift a shirt, but this doesn't happen until 5,000 pieces or so.
The screens need to naturally exude some moisture, so some of it is inevitable, but shouldn't happen
for a long long time. I bet if we cleared the screen during lunch, wiped it out with water and let dry
that we wouldn't have it happen at all.

[Prosperi-Tees]

Hey Sean, what kind of runs can you get out of it without the hardener? And where you getting it?

[Mr Tees!!]

The Xenon stuff? Or are you asking ebscreen? I'm a Sean too....

[Prosperi-Tees]

Whoops. Well Sean how long does the Xenon stuff hold up for? I know it's a cheap emulsion but cheap and discharge usually don't go hand in hand. Oh and I use the CCI WR25 without a hardener and it get moist after about 200 shirts.

[ebscreen]

Lot of Shaeuwns become screenprinters. Weird.


Gerry we typically use hardener on anything over 150 pieces or so, or if
the design is tricky or warrants it. Sort of a gut feel thing, and cheap insurance.
I have not seen Aquasol (properly post/exposed) degrade from any quantity
of discharge.

I suspect part of the reason is the softer squeegees and lower angle used with
waterbased places less physical stress on the stencil.

Both emulsion and hardener come from Screen Printers Resource.

Also, I still have the exhaust stack for your dryer here. Just found it yesterday if you want
it.

[Prosperi-Tees]

Lot of Shaeuwns become screenprinters. Weird.


Gerry we typically use hardener on anything over 150 pieces or so, or if
the design is tricky or warrants it. Sort of a gut feel thing, and cheap insurance.
I have not seen Aquasol (properly post/exposed) degrade from any quantity
of discharge.

I suspect part of the reason is the softer squeegees and lower angle used with
waterbased places less physical stress on the stencil.

Both emulsion and hardener come from Screen Printers Resource.

Also, I still have the exhaust stack for your dryer here. Just found it yesterday if you want
it.

Cool and hell yes I want it! Do you know how it is to run discharge in a 800 sq ft shop without exhausting the dryer in 95 degree weather? LOL!

[tonypep]

I use the CCI as is......it is a Diazo so it is added when opened. Important to post expose. That Aquasol/Murakami combo sounds like a winner as well. Never ran into that "lift off the shirt" issue though. Don't use spray tack though.