Best Practices for Cleaning and Reclaiming Screens

The last step in the screen printing process is cleaning and reclaiming screens. While this feels like the last leg of the job, it's important for the next job to use best practices when cleaning and reclaiming screens. This process looks a little different for water-based or plastisol prints, and whether you’re reclaiming a screen or just cleaning up.
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[@KittyJ30]

Thank you! I've been wanting to see someone to reclaim from start to finish 😊

[@Ryonet]

It's helpful to see the entire process, thanks for checking it out!

[@Dmite_The_Great_6558]

Thank you sir

[@Ryonet]

Thanks for watching!

[@munawarsoomro8958]

Wish I had seen this before. I have ghost image and have ink and stain cleaner but no good. Water based ink. Any suggestions please? Thanks

[@Ryonet]

Use Sgreen Dehazer then brush gently in a circular motion with a Magic Eraser if you have them! Do this to both sides of the screen then degrease! I hope that little trick helps!

[@munawarsoomro8958]

@@Ryonet thank you, appreciate feedback. I’ll get the dehazer, I’m sure wife has magic eraser. Thank you

[@juliocruz7554]

hi i just bought a whole screen printing set up (used) the owner before me had a lot of screens with haze on them ive used dehazer but they still seem to be there. Is there a solution i can dip the screens in for and extended period of time to help break up the haze?

[@Ryonet]

Great question! Congrats on scoring used screens, they can be difficult to reclaim when not knowing how they were previously cared for. Dehazer is key and there isn't a soaking solution for dehazing but using a strong ink degrader like Easiway Multipurpose Ink Degrader and Haze remover will help. Spray generously and let sit for 1-2 minutes after scrubbing. Keep in wet and repeat as necessary. Another great trick for stubborn ghost images is to use a Magic Eraser. Scrub gently (they are abrasive) on both sides of your ghost image then finish with degreaser. I hope that helps, keep us posted! We're also coming out with a new video soon on ghost images so stay tuned! scrnprntl.ink/Easiway

[@k5skull813]

What would you call that tool you're using to hold the screen frame in place at 4:34?

[@Ryonet]

www.screenprinting.com/products/silk-screen-coating-stand Screen Coating Stand!

[@hiyorisarugaki1830]

My emulsion is simply not removing. Even after using the super expensive speedball remover.

[@gustavo-eo5pc]

same

[@jessicaw2169]

Hello, I'm helping in a school that has a screen print machine. we ran some shirts last week, the cleaner we used to remove the plastisol (I don't remember what it was called) it has left a oily/greasy residue on the screen and we cant get tape to stick to it. We have a child size print on one half of the screen and an adult on the other half & the students will be doing the printing so we have to tape half off. What can I use to safely clean off the oily residue? I saw diluted simple green and Dawn dish soap recommended but want to make sure I don't ruin the screen as we wish to keep running the same print. Thank you.

[@Ryonet]

Hi! Depending on your emulsion, you dont want to use anything with water in it to clean your screen as it can soften the emulsion and can lead to a damaged stencil. If you just want to remove the oily residue, use rubbing alcohol (this is just for the oily residue)or a "Press Wash" designed to evaporate quickly. Rubbing alcohol is easily available and evaporates quickly. This will help remove the oily residue only. Press washes are designed to both clean your ink and evaporate quickly leaving little to no residue behind.

[@brothersofdestruction378]

I’m confused on when to use ink degrader & supreme wash

[@Ryonet]

Hi! Supreme wash is primarily intended for color changes as it evaporates quickly. it can also be used to clean ink before reclaim. Ink Degrader is intended for use when you are done with the print, to clean ink out before reclaim. It will do a better job pulling all the color off of the screen, but leaves an oily residue. Because of that oil, it is not recommended for color changes - it will damage ink if you add it to the screen, but is just fine when going into reclaim.

[@brothersofdestruction378]

@@Ryonet what do you mean by reclaim? Can I use ink degraded if I am done with the job and are cleaning my screen but still will be using my logo another day ?

[@Ryonet]

@@brothersofdestruction378 if you will not be removing the emulsion from the screen (reclaiming) then yes, you can use either Supreme Wash or Ink Degrader to clean your screen.

[@brothersofdestruction378]

@@Ryonet thank you !! Do you know a good website that sells supreme wash bigger than a pint ?

[@Ryonet]

@@brothersofdestruction378 At Screenprinting.com we can get you container sizes up to 5 gallons!