Introduction to Photo Emulsion (Part 1 of 5)

Part of Speedball’s How-To screen printing series, this instructional video provides an overview of all the materials required to get started in the Photo Emulsion process, including step-by-step instructions on how to mix Speedball’s Diazo Photo Emulsion. The Photo Emulsion Method is best for creating a photographic stencil of a pre-printed black and white image.
Featuring Brian Garner. Video + Edit by Alex Maness & Jim Haverkamp.

[@half_dane]

Really like that work area!

[@speedball_art]

this studio is one of our favorites to shoot! Happened to be the old studio of our friend @linobill!

[@darlink57]

Does Brian Garner do more if your how to videos? He does a great presentation!

[@speedball_art]

He is awesome!

[@TEROUZ]

@speedballart how many oz of water do we add in the 2oz sensitizer bottle since we can’t see through it ?

[@Yxtztdydyd]

If mine stayed blue should I just add more sensitizer?

[@speedball_art]

Hi! We recommend following the instructions listed on packaging for the best results❤️

[@josevidal2193]

Do I have to put all the sentizer oil so empty it out my emulsion ain’t changing colors

[@speedball_art]

Hi! Yes, you would need to mix all the sensitizer in for the emulsion to work!

[@mcaro1]

Most of the sensitizer will be stuck to the bottle it’s so frustrating.. I had to cut the bottle in half to get it all out.

[@williamdroney3463]

To print the stencil onto the clear transparent sheet can I use a normal printer?

[@speedball_art]

in this video, Brian is using a transparency from our 6-pack of transparency sheets and those are specifically made for use with inkjet printers. thanks for watching!

[@TomNobody631]

Hello - once I have added the sensitizer to the photoemulsion, how do I store/reuse the leftover mixture?

[@speedball_art]

That's a very good question. Once mixed, you can store the photo emulsion in the refrigerator for up to 4 months.

[@TomNobody631]

@@speedball_art thank you!

[@fowchiiiliedpuppiesdied]

Just say “water”, then.

[@hannahcollins5968]

so i bought all of the supplies needed outside of a kit, separately. i mixed the 2oz sensitizer with the 26.4oz photo emulsion but it never turned that green color, more of a teal. do i need to add more sensitizer?

[@speedball_art]

hello and thank you for purchasing our emulsion system. yes, if the color does not turn grassy green, more Sensitizer is needed. it is likely a small amount of the paste in the Sensitizer bottel was not fully mixed and that is negatively impacting the ratio of Sensitzer to Emulsion. Without the full amount, it is unlikely the product will expose correctly.

[@drdexter33]

Yeah..same problem for me. After a couple of tries to get my emulsion to match the shade of green in the video I ended up cutting the bottle apart because I was able to see what looked like dried diazo. When I cut the bottle apart, I couldn't even scrape it the dried diazo loose and I was never able to get the emulsion to turn that shade of lime green so didn't make it past this step. Reached out to Speedball customer service. We'll see what they say..

[@ebajda1]

Same for me, cut open little bottle... and hard lump I used exacto knife to cut up. And fork on plate to mash up. Still blue (bummer didn't get green)

[@drdexter33]

@@ebajda1 Contact Speedball customer service. They'll ask you some questions and send you a replacement right away. Only took a few days to get it. When I got the replacement, I was careful to add water to the diazo bottle and waited a couple of hours, then shook it up as directed in this video. Everything worked according to plan then.. Good luck!

[@munawarsoomro8958]

Thanks for the video. I bought the emulsion and have ordered the light. But when I tried coating the emulsion went through to other side and drip so I kept going back and forth so I don't think I got even coat. I used the Speedball plastic squeegee that says graphics on one side and fabric on other side. It did clean up from hand and counter top with just water.

[@speedball_art]

Yes since the screen is a mesh the emulsion will drip through just like when you swipe ink through it, a good coating of emulsion is needed to fully block out the screen in areas you do not want to print, so it is best to swipe the emulsion while over a sink.

[@tupajparrado4715]

h2o (or water)

[@AgentE3rocks]

Is the diazo still good to use if you accidentally put too much water for the base?

[@yaelgonzalez3496]

Danielle Espinosa no throw it awat

[@1971VoiceoftheMummy]

Question about the UV light. An LED UV light comes in the kit. Is the kit UV good enough to use? I see the metal hood with UV bulb. Is that better to use? thanks

[@speedball_art]

Hi! We recommend using the LED lamp that comes with the kit for the best results!

[@CAVEMAN_408]

FAAAWWWK!!! 😔😞I WISH I SEEN THIS VIDEO BEFORE ORDERING ANOTHER SESITIZER🙄🙄🙄

[@speedball_art]

More for the NEXT printing project!

[@CAVEMAN_408]

@@speedball_art hey question...so im able to get my print on the screen AFTER the light BUT when i go to add ink nothin will touch the shirt.... do u know wat im doin wrong?😔😞😕

[@juliatorpie1748]

EL_XICANO408 you possibly let it sit for too long so light was able to seep under your blacked out areas and harden the emulsion underneath? not sure tho :)

[@speedball_art]

@@CAVEMAN_408 we'd be happy to try to troubleshoot this with you--please contact our customer service team at [e-mail] so we can assist!

[@fionnlaghcarter9730]

Do you have to degrease the screen before you coat it?

[@speedball_art]

It is not required to do so, but a product like Speed Clean can be used to degrease prior to the first coating if preferred

[@Proofofart]

Mine was clear and when I mixed with the small bottle it never thickened up watching video 500 times before I try again just b9ught more photo emulsion

[@speedball_art]

Sorry to hear that the mixing didn't quite work. There is only a tiny bit of sensitizer in the small bottle, but that's all it takes. And if you still are having trouble with the process, please feel free to reach out to us at [e-mail]

[@filippogenesini6069]

Can I have link for buy the printing emulsion pint please?…all objects for this “Color”

[@speedball_art]

Hi, thanks for being interested in our products! Please visit speedballart.com to learn more and purchase the supplies you need!

[@GoDigitalSAFoundation]

What type of lamp? What is the power? Would a UV light work better than a regular light bulb? Would an LED bulb work?

[@speedball_art]

Brian is using a 250W BBA photoflood bulb. Any UV light is usable to expose a screen, but all the calculations featured in our instructional resources would be specific to the BBA lightsource. Many use the sun's light to expose screens, but the trial and error that is needed for alternative light sources has many preferring to rely on the lamp provided in our kits to minimize frustration

[@1971VoiceoftheMummy]

@@speedball_art I don't see it being used in the instruction video. I'm trying to get into this for a few t-shirts. Not using it makes it looks like it doesn't work well. thanks for clearing this up.

[@JL-fg9zr]

Hi, do you have to use a fresh screen to apply emulsion? Or is it okay to use a screen that has been screen block applied / various cleaners etc if you rinse before applying emulsion? Thanks!

[@speedball_art]

Hello! It should be okay as long as the screen has been thoroughly cleaned with cleaners!

[@JL-fg9zr]

@@speedball_art thank you 👍🏼

[@ayb3555]

my sensetizer was dry. and when i poured h20 inside and shook ir. nothing mixed cuz all the sensitizer inside was dry.

[@speedball_art]

The sensitizer is a drier paste of sorts. There are times that age or storage conditions can negatively impact the condition of the product, though. If you have added water and stirred vigorously with a stir stick for several minutes and have not seen the results featured in this video, we encourage you to reach out to our Customer Service team for assistance.

[@veve7103]

@@speedball_art mine had brown flakes when i mixed it

[@speedball_art]

@@veve7103 oh no! that can happen if the product has exceeded its shelf life. If you reach out to our Customer Service team, they can help you with some replacements - [e-mail]

[@_JOKA]

Same thing happened to mine...im guessing the sensitiser was expired. It was hard as a rock inside its bottle​@@veve7103

[@jalynmckay9966]

How much sensitizer is required for 26.4 oz of emulsion

[@speedball_art]

The 2oz / 8.85g paste Sensitizer (#004578) is required for use with the 26.4fl oz Emulsion

[@Macfish1163]

@@speedball_art so the same 2oz whether you have an 8oz bottle of emulsion OR the 26.4 oz Emulsion?!

[@speedball_art]

@@Macfish1163 The quantities for the Sensitizer are different for each. The 8oz jar of Emulsion uses the smaller 2.12g of Sensitizer paste, while the 26.4oz Emulsion uses a 2oz bottle that contains 8.85g of Sensitizer.

[@andrewmckay1731]

I added my water to the sensitizer and shook for ages, used a stick to stir it also. Then added to blue emulsion but it never turned green. The sensitizer just kind of went flakey in the emulsion, did I do something wrong?

[@speedball_art]

We're sorry to hear that! Our technical team is the best resource and can be reached at [e-mail]. Thank you!

[@andrewmckay1731]

@@speedball_art thankyou, I'll send though some photos

[@_JOKA]

Same here :(

[@simonshepard7427]

I had some old stuff from 2015, I mixed the sensitizer with water and added it to the photo emulsion, but after mixing thoroughly it stayed this blue color, is there a way to save this?

[@speedball_art]

These products are guaranteed for two years from the date of manufacture if stored as directed. While most of the products are good well after that date, it does sound as though the Sensitizer may have expired.

[@johnwilsoniii4757]

I’m going to buy this from Hobby Lobby! 👍🏾