Coating your screen with lotion can be a tricky part of the screen printing process, but it's never impossible; just remember these guidelines and you can immediately apply the screen like a professional. This process can be referred to as "coating the screen" or "making a template." You can find more information about lotions and the brands we bring on our website. Always mix and store the emulsion according to the manufacturer's instructions. Before starting to coat the screen, make sure that it has been properly degreased and dried without any contamination. Next, bring your spoon coater; clean it after each use and fill it with about three-quarters of the lotion. Professional tips, if you start to notice a prominent or random line on the screen when you notice the coating, it is likely that the edge of your spoon coater is damaged; therefore, you must take care of your spoon coater to ensure Paint your screen correctly.

Now, there are some techniques that can be used when painting a screen, one is to use both hands, which means you need to fix the screen in an upright position, or you can hold it with one hand and apply it with the other hand; Be sure to apply it with your hand. When coating, make sure the coating is even, as thick or thin areas can cause problems when the screen is exposed. If there is not enough lotion (thin position), your image will be exposed faster (overexposure), causing it to not be washed away. Thicker areas (too much lotion) do not quickly expose (underexposed), causing the image to decompose and wash away. Once the screen is finished, place it on the drying rack with the print side facing down to allow it to fully cure. Here are some tips for this stage; if you don't have a drying cabinet and only have a drying rack, apply a screen before going home to dry them overnight. In addition, a dehumidifier or space heater in the dry space (no more than 10 degrees) will help your screen dry more efficiently.

When you are ready to expose the screen, make sure it is dry. You can use several different coating methods; the most common is the 1&1 method. For this method, apply a layer of emulsion on the print side, rotate 180 degrees and apply a coat on the side of the blade. Lay flat to dry. The 2&2 method is suitable for sports printing because it is applied twice on the printing surface and then twice on the side of the squeegee to produce a thicker stencil in the case of wetting. Rotate 180 degrees after each coating. This method requires longer drying times and exposure times. Finally, the 3&3 method produces the sharpest edges and the thickest template; starting with the 2 and 2 methods mentioned above, then applying a layer on the print side and drying. As with anything worth doing, proper preparation when applying the screen and using the lotion will ensure that you produce the quality work you are proud of. I hope that you find this article helpful when dealing with lotions.

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