How to Expose Screens with a cheap LED Exposure Unit from Amazon - Learn to Screen Print at Home

[@netwrkops]

Welcome back bro

[@mikeydesignssilkscreen473]

Thanks! I appreciate it.

[@RickFuhrmann]

Always awesome to see you work Mike! I am just to today learning how to use AccuRip and NXT hoping to start burning screens soon:)

[@mikeydesignssilkscreen473]

Thank you and that's awesome!

[@jordantroutman4642]

Does the emulsion not dry or mess up when transferring it to the car wash?

[@__WJK__]

Great Qs!

[@__WJK__]

Qs ... I happen to have a 150w UV LED panel lying around that was once used in a Halloween display & wondering if 150W is maybe too much power(?)

[@bangprints8816]

It's warming up - Time to get back oN the Grind ✌🏽💯

[@mikeydesignssilkscreen473]

I know that's right!

[@ChoosyBarber]

What type of printer did you use to print the design on the film?

[@mikeydesignssilkscreen473]

It was an epson 1430.

[@jrframes]

​@@mikeydesignssilkscreen473 do I need a specific ink and film to do this?

[@karlsangree]

Double check the glass if you're using glass from a picture/art frame. The glass in better frames will have UV protection to protect the artwork and the emulsion will never develop.

[@mikeydesignssilkscreen473]

I'm sure there's truth to that with a more costly picture frame glass. Most inexpensive glass from an Amazon picture frame is just going to be glass. :)

[@MrFielding]

Nice to see you again! What kind of emulsion do you use? The lamp is just 50W for what I can find out. I use an old fasion lamp, 250W and need to expose for 15-20 mins.. Maybe my supplyer is conservative..

[@mikeydesignssilkscreen473]

I like to use a diazo emulsion. Doesn't really matter the brand, but I stick to Ulano if possible.

[@bossplayashop7596]

Some say 12 minutes is to long...i just git a similar setup and im trying to find out an average exposure time for this setup 12 minutes or 45 seconds as some say..is it a such thing as over exposure?

[@gri7]

12 minutes sounds a bit excessive how many lumen is that LED bulb I've seen 50 watt LEDs exposed in about 45 seconds and my halogen shop light exposed in 4 minutes 45 seconds speedball diazo on 230 mesh

[@__WJK__]

Thinking maybe the Watt specs on that UV LED is over-stated(?) One way to know, would be to plug that UV panel into a Watt meter & dbl check the Watt output. Overstated specs is, unfortunately, a common issue with products made in China :'(

[@gri7]

@@__WJK__ I think it's not a matter of wattage but the actual spectrum of light.

[@pdokoonline]

Is it matters what color is foam? I thought that it has to be black

[@gri7]

I just got an LED black light cheap off Amazon. Exposure time is 35 seconds max.

[@blayasblay3941]

I'm using my fathers throwaway halogen - lamp. I have a hockey stick and a skateboard holding it on top of my laundry basket and a cardboard - box. I used to think that I need all sorts of fancy equipment, then watched someone printing in India, they used sunlight and a bucket to wash the screen.

[@mikeydesignssilkscreen473]

Don't have to have fancy equipment at all. Once you start to get into some real production though, equipment comes in handy.

[@blayasblay3941]

@@mikeydesignssilkscreen473Oh yeah for sure I'd say it becomes necessary. Even printing for myself and some friends has it's troubles 😅