Perfect Screen Exposure EVERY TIME! The Super Cheap Tool That Every Screen Printer Needs

Every screen printer should have this in their toolbox to nail down those exposure times.
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0:00 Start
0:36 Why Screen Exposure Is Hard
1:32 Screen Exposure Calculators
3:02 How To Use An Exposure Calculator
3:39 The First Exposure
4:48 How To Wash Out Your Screen
6:06 Adjusting Your Exposure Time
7:27 The Perfect Exposure
8:51 Outtakes
#screenprinting #shirtbusiness #clothingdesign #screenexposure #leestuart

[@leestuart38]

Click here ​bit.ly/leestuart38 to subscribe for more rad stuff, and click that damn bell for me!

[@dyceprovini6144]

I actually appreciate the genuine information you show glad their is one screen printer that doesn’t gatekeep everything

[@leestuart38]

Glad to help out. We don't gatekeep anything around here 🤘🏻

[@johnsantana601]

I personally want to thank, i started my business with zero knowledge and because of you i am confident enough to pull of almost any job. Thank you.

[@leestuart38]

Cool to hear man, thank you 👊🏻

[@MrSteveBrah]

It took me about 8 screens to get a solid understanding of correct times and I was using the calculator. There’s definitely a learning curve but the feeling of accomplishment that comes when you have a detailed image and it washes out nice and easy is glorious.

[@leestuart38]

Once you understand the calculator and have a bit of a feel for your exposure setup, it gets a lot easier to where you nail stuff in 2-3 tries no problem like I did. The math on there is a good starting point but it's not always exact

[@lillianrivera5265]

You have been amazing! Im a self taught artist; I'm a single mom w entrepreneur DNA, whom needs to create a quality business happen and become successful...there's no trying to figure it out, if not succeeding at figuring it out. All your info has been incredibly helpful(every single video on screen printing). Thanks for being so genuine with your advice, you're definitely motivational! Keep striving and we'll keep following 😬

[@leestuart38]

That's so good to hear! I'm happy this stuff helps, that's what it's all about. Keep it up!

[@chrisrichardeagland]

Cheers Lee. Just lost 2 days of my life using the Anthem exposure calculator testing across 5 mesh counts and 2 colours. Buying one of these now!

[@michaelhaasjes8066]

An exposure calculator is an essential tool, correctly exposed emulsion makes more durable stencils which are easier to reclaim.

[@leestuart38]

No screen printer should be without one 🙌🏻

[@joshvds9416]

The knowledge Lee is sharing on his channel is amazing. So God damn helpful

[@leestuart38]

Happy to hear that 🙌🏻

[@robbieawad1834]

Finally someone straightforward right to the point, your the man bro!

[@leestuart38]

Thanks a lot 🤘🏻

[@KpxUrz5745]

Nice clear explanation. Thank you!

[@officialcisko]

Watched this video a few days ago and finally decided to use one today for the first time. This must be the lucky video because I nailed exposure time.

[@leestuart38]

Good work man. The testers are one of the most valuable tools you can have as a printer

[@threethreevinyldesigns2564]

Like always coming thru with that knowledge for us newbies. Thanks my brother.

[@leestuart38]

Glad to help 🤘🏻

[@phousta]

Thank you for this video. Something we really needed. We’ve had so much issues with our exposures/ washouts. This is definitely going to help us.

[@leestuart38]

Glad to help!

[@KeyPrintCo]

Just ordered our exposure calculator. Testing and video coming soon. Thanks Lee.

[@fourjayshutalla]

Thanks for sharing your video. This helped me alot I wasted a pint of emulsion trying to get it right.

[@leestuart38]

Glad to hear it helped 👊🏻

[@a-bombx]

Just started using the ulano orange. It's really helped with sawtoothing.

[@leestuart38]

It's great stuff so far

[@stonepillowband]

Great great video, been printing +6 years and decided to get one to check I'm exposing properly on my new unit. Keep the great content ✌🏻️

[@A-dth6wdh]

Thank you for explaining things clearly, Lee.

[@offthebooksmusic]

had me at "nut hair" lmfao

[@heatherjennings145]

Wow, thank you Lee! This really helps us newbies understand how and why to use an exposure calculator. I hopped on right away and bought one of the tees! Yeah! I'd love to see your process of washing out screens too and maybe an explanation of the products you use for it, if you're looking for a video. As someone new to screenprinting (but obsessive about watching you and the other guys on KZbin) just getting some of the lingo down and to stick is a struggle. Thanks for the top quality videos!

[@leestuart38]

Thanks a lot. I plan on doing a whole how to print for beginners series that will cover everything, just need to make time for it

[@heatherjennings145]

@@leestuart38 Oh my word...you just made my day!

[@jodypratt2365]

@@heatherjennings145 love how he answered everyone

[@heatherjennings145]

@@jodypratt2365 Right?! He's really awesome. I tell my wife that he is my "screenprinting boyfriend" :)

[@Bornandthread]

Yo! We have used Ulano Orange for the past 6 years, the stuff holds incredible detail. Nice vid man!

[@leestuart38]

I like it a lot so far, except for halftones I still get better results with a dual cure. Thanks man 🤘🏻

[@Jolsen002]

You are still our hero.

[@cottrellbriank]

GREAT info! Never heard of the calculator before!

[@leestuart38]

Best tool for every printer to have!

[@laughlanwillcock511]

I came across this channel with the 110 build but stayed for the quality content. We going to see anymore 110 stuff?

[@leestuart38]

Eventually there will be. I just got a new place we'll be moving to soon and it's going to have a 110 track

[@mrjdinner1000]

I used Anthem's free download exposure calculator and dialled my fluorescent black lights into 20 seconds exactly. It's always a great idea to double check to get the best results! Thanks Lee!

[@leestuart38]

Try one of these and I'll bet your times are off. Those free ones are no good

[@andywhite1229]

Actually, the downloadable ones are perfect. All the Stouffer ones tell you is how long it takes to fully expose the emulsion, but if your positives are less than totally opaque (which is probably the case for most folks watching this video), then by the time you’ve exposed to #7, you’ve partially burnt through your positive, and lost fine detail. When you print out an exposure calculator on the same gear that you print your films on, the “burn through” factor is baked in. Get a good stencil with a downloaded calculator, and you’re good to go.

[@RitaBCreative]

Thanks so much for sharing this information as well as giving the demonstration!

[@punjabi666]

nice trick that you are sharing again 👍🏻 Thanks, plus I'm glad i could order my Bushido Rogue Lab long sleeve shirt 😎👌 Greatings from France

[@leestuart38]

Thanks for the support man 🤘🏻

[@4zengrl]

Great info and well produced to boot! Thank you!

[@leestuart38]

Thanks! Glad to help

[@Smallbore2wheels]

That's awesome! I got a long sleeve on the first drop and have been waiting for Texas to stop being hot as the inner ring of hell to wear it lol that short sleeve T is ticking sick.

[@leestuart38]

Thanks a lot 🤘🏻

[@NEyankee]

i just started using these. using SAATI pink emulsion, got it to 7 but the solid emulsion above was soft, enough if it touched while freshly blown out, could move with finger. is that normal? once it dries if don't touch seems fine. Haven't tested it on press yet. Thanks for the great video!

[@seichi13]

Did you put emulsion in the same screen after the first try or did you use a new one for the second try? I feel like if you already have exposed your screen it's kind of frustrating to clean it up completely and start over.

[@superteeprints371]

cool video lee nicely explained for people good job

[@leestuart38]

Thanks a lot

[@phatdawg1]

i used a diy exposure box at 45 seconds and my image didn't even go into the screen. was using a setup that made the light less focused on the screen and my graphics were washing out just fine at 2 minutes 30 seconds. im completely lost...

[@axcynos]

Yes ! love all your videos

[@leestuart38]

Thanks!

[@atikkhan1020]

I'm not in screen printing business not even in any kind of printing business 😂 but I love to watch your video 🔥. But I'll start my printing business soon. But I'm confused between screen printing and DTG. please reply

[@leestuart38]

Screen printing uses screens to layer an image down onto the shirt, while DTG is spraying dots of ink down like a regular printer would be. Screen printing is a lot faster and better quality, while DTG is going to be better in production for things that require a lot of color in small batches

[@atikkhan1020]

Thank you 🔥

[@HDSupermoto]

Thanks for the bloopers 😂😂😂

[@HDSupermoto]

Thank you bro!!! You’re awesome 😎

[@andywright5147]

Omg can't believe you still had the Bushido in 2XL f**king eh!!

[@skyboys9814]

Thanks man!

[@shonapate]

What pressure washer do u use?

[@sripravia4855]

Bro 77 mesh polyester small letters correct expose timing in uv machine

[@helziephoton]

Thank you ❤️✨ only just saw this video this is very handy to know 👌😃🚀🥳

[@leestuart38]

Definitely helps to have one of these 🙌🏻

[@helziephoton]

@@leestuart38 epic 😍❤️👌

[@chrispadilla429]

Wow, this video comes exactly the day I needed it to! Quick question for anyone, how are you guys plumbing your water source? I current have an aerator to garden hose adapter to my shop's bathroom sink. Limits me to one source and not ideal. Anyone using a diy setup or should I have plumber come in?

[@leestuart38]

I had a plumber add a water hookup near my booth, you can see it in one of my shop build videos

[@ThesiKCOne661]

i started today first time learning design dint come out lol ima buy these

[@jasoncotterill3033]

So if you under expose based off of the test strip can you place the screen back in the exposure unit for the remaining time and expose it more?

[@MikeTees]

As always ,another great video , how is embroidery treating you? Keep being Great love the videos keep em coming such inspiration !!!!!!!!!!! and Motivation!

[@leestuart38]

I haven't had a ton of time to put into it yet, I've been extremely busy with print work. I'll be able to soon though

[@richiepyke1380]

Thanks for your videos. Been worried about how I was goong to figure that out. Especially since I'm going to be using a homemade exposure unit with 30w led black light. Quick question also. Is there any videos or online resources you can recommend for beginners? Would be really appreciated. Signed up for a 2 day course in Chicago but that's in the middle of November.

[@isaiasramirez5205]

I have tried different exposure times and get the image on the screen but my ink won’t go through the screen onto the garment any suggestions?

[@girlsjustgoahead8151]

How lont times I put under the sun ray of my screen frame for exposing ? I want to know the perfect exposer time.

[@VersatileCllctv]

bro idk what to do anymore & it’s becoming extremely i motivating but ik ima keep trying different exposure times but i have fr tried from 30s-35m and for some reason it’s always underexposed & just washed out super easily

[@leestuart38]

Sounds like your emulsion has gone bad. 35 minutes would expose pretty much anything to the point that it would be impossible to wash out. Dual cure emulsion has a 6 week shelf life once mixed

[@asysr28]

Can you reuse an exposure calculator?

[@leestuart38]

Yes. It'll last for years

[@tomastecpanecatl1143]

Hello, how many times can this sheet be used?

[@leestuart38]

Forever, or until you lose it

[@ian1162]

Hi Lee,again, hehehe, those printing exposure calculators, are they single use or multiple use, just wondering. Am loving the tutorials you do, very insightful, they are helpful in me trying to sort out what i am going to need to set up a shop, keep em coming brother.

[@leestuart38]

They will last forever if you take care of them

[@Thelucky23]

What kind of emulsion do you use now?

[@leestuart38]

I'm on the baselayr stuff now

[@JasonAura]

Soooo since I print my own designs can’t I just add an exposure calculator to it? Instead of buying one? 😅

[@leestuart38]

No, it's not the same thing

[@elevatedapedesigns6110]

I’ve been exposing on the xvactor bulb version from ryonet using the free anthem calculator with almost no problems . But this looked good so I bought it . The thing is it’s basically saying 8 minuts wich seems so wrong since my exposure time this time of year is 4 .20 not joking lol . But I don’t use pressure washers my finger over a hose decent pressure and with this strip it seems to cut halfway through the emulsion on a couple of the steps so I can’t seem to tell if it’s skimming the top layer of emulsion from to much pressure or not enough . I feel like it is not enough pressure because it wouldn’t punch Thru hardened emulsion but I could be wrong maybe it is 8 minuts lol .

[@leestuart38]

Normally I take those estimated times and cut them in half. But the strip doesn't lie, if it's saying you're over/under you probably are

[@elevatedapedesigns6110]

Lee Stuart so most likely I’m not over blowing it out with water ?

[@leestuart38]

You should be able to hit it with a pressure washer from medium/close range without it blowing out

[@dmowolfenspeedster]

If you are using carrier sheets for your artwork should you attach the test strip to the carrier sheet as if its art? What if you are using vellum? How would you adjust for that?

[@leestuart38]

As long as nothing solid black is blocking the UV from hitting the strip against the emulsion, it doesn't really matter where it goes

[@Madvillany718]

Hey Lee, new subscriber here. I’m looking to have 2 t-shirts made as a gift. I have found designs I like on Threadless but I know from the reviews their print quality isn’t great. Without having a high res PNG would it not be possible to use a Threadless design to be printed elsewhere? Thanks

[@RichardThompsonCA]

I watched one of your other videos where you said you use Cryocoat. How does the Ulano orange compare? I watched another screen printing video where it was highly recommended. Is it good for water based ink or only plastisol? Thx.

[@leestuart38]

It's a plastisol only emulsion, it says it can handle some waterbased inks but I don't have a lot of trust in that. Otherwise I like it a lot, I don't do much waterbased stuff here

[@alexandrtarasenko1531]

just stopped by to agree... thing is a lifesaver... I paid $13 for it...

[@leestuart38]

🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@danielmullins572]

Hey Lee, Thanks for taking the time to make this well crafted video! I have the exact same exposure unit as you, the LED version. Ive been using cryocoat for 2 years now. I dont have major complaints with it, but im always looking for better products. Have you used cryo-coat emulsion? If so which of the two do you prefer. I notice with cryocoat i lose fine halftones and lines sometimes. Does this help with that?

[@leestuart38]

I use cryocoat quite a bit, it's definitely not suited well to our exposure units. It's too sensitive for a multi source light so light wrap is inevitable. For anything with fine detail or halftones, a dual cure emulsion is still best

[@jasonpetrillo216]

How long do you keep the screen in the dip tank or do you not use the dip tank for burning? Just water in the tank, right? Which way do you place the calculator down? Lol dumb question, but does it matter which way? My light source is coming from the top. Nice video also!

[@leestuart38]

I don't use a second dip tank, I don't have the space for it. But that's the ideal setup

[@zachsimpson1017]

So I’m brand new to screen printing. What ink should I use to print on t-shirts Thanks in advance to lee or anyone who replies

[@leestuart38]

Start with plastisol, it's a lot easier to work with so you can focus on the fundamentals

[@SomeWhereOverland]

Question, I’m new to screen printing and buying equipment. Where do you buy your screens? Online they come up very expensive so it’s not making sense to me?

[@leestuart38]

Screens aren't cheap, you're looking at $30-40 a piece for aluminum static frames no matter where you buy them from

[@Tristano.t]

Lee was good. Thanks bro this comes at the right time!! Btw what happend with them eco frames don’t you use them anymore?

[@leestuart38]

I don't really use them, not a big fan

[@Tristano.t]

Lee Stuart aaah oke got it

[@theprogressionsession]

What kind of pressure washer are you using in your darkroom?

[@leestuart38]

Just a cheap little bosch unit from amazon, nothing special

[@schmangschmang]

Did you completely clean the screen after the first time of getting it wrong and start completely over again ?

[@frazzfam8301]

I’m wondering the same thing

[@erikmattson8629]

So, if I ended up with a the emulsion clearing right to the 5...Decrease exposure by .5...? Rrrright? I think. I want the line to STOP at the 7. And according to the back of the Stouffer's (mmm pizza) Guide, I THINK I need to "Multiply Original Exposure By...(2 steps)" ".50". Yeah?

[@bklynfinest2k1]

How much for the file of your design

[@billyruben6540]

Hey, man! Just curious if you're still using the same emulsion or if you've moved on to something else.

[@leestuart38]

I use baselayr emulsions now

[@stinn]

Was your old photopolymer cryocoat? I just picked up a tub of it and having a hell of a time getting it to work nicely

[@jodypratt2365]

Did you read the requirement for cryocoat? Did you meet those requirements? My light source didn't. So I can't use cryocoat

[@leestuart38]

I use cryocoat a lot, and it's got its issues with certain exposure setups or art types. If I'm doing anything with fine detail, I can't use it

[@g.monstas4154]

Hell ya bro this video help me out alot... good looking out ... #GMONSTAS

[@leestuart38]

Hell ya 🤘🏻

[@bjeligarrow6366]

Post this video at least once a week on the page so we can stop getting the same questions.....lol....the Ryonet one you are using is pretty much the same of the SPD strip on the Amazon page?

[@leestuart38]

I pinned it to the top so hopefully it stops some of that haha, exactly why I made this video. But those strips are identical, just a different name on them

[@bjeligarrow6366]

Lee Stuart 🙏🏽

[@begrnuriar]

You should be pointing and focusing the camera to the screen. I wasn't sure what you meant by "7 steps" cause you showed it for like a few seconds.

[@leestuart38]

Maybe pay closer attention. I covered it more than once in detail

[@begrnuriar]

@@leestuart38 You did cover it. But you barely showed it "after" the actual exposure, split second maybe, when we see how the 7-steps of the exposure tool actually works. I like the video. That's all.

[@shadynasty6393]

What actuall brand film do you use??

[@leestuart38]

Rite film 👌🏻

[@johna6968]

I drop in occasionally to see if there is any bike action.

[@leestuart38]

I wouldn't count on it

[@johna6968]

@@leestuart38 I'll be on my way then

[@crackshotscreenprinting]

great video, thank you for posting this shit bro

[@leestuart38]

Glad it helped 🤘🏻

[@psychoblack1411]

ITS NOW $55 !!!!

[@leestuart38]

Amazon price gougers with the supply and demand. Try screenprinting.com instead, they have them

[@leestuart38]

These New Rogue Lab Tees Won't Last Long! roguelabmfg.com/collections/tees

[@bjeligarrow6366]

Fat boy sizes.....lol

[@Spice.Melange]

Damn so if you dont expose it right you have to make a whole new screen? This process must be so time consuming lol

[@leestuart38]

It only takes a few tries to dial it in. Once you have your settings and technique right it's fast and easy

[@Bluntedco.]

Why have you not considered dtg printing? too much bs?

[@leestuart38]

It's nowhere near the level of screen printing yet. The print quality, production time and versatility of screen printing are still miles ahead. Sure if you want to make 1-5 shirts with a ton of colors then a DTG would be the obvious smart choice, but anything past that and screen printing is still king. The technology is catching up but I think it's still a good 5-10 years away from competing directly

[@Bluntedco.]

@@leestuart38 yeah i feel you. the colors are not as vivid as silk screening and dtg ink prints crack most of the time vs silk screening. i just sold my f2100 because of the inconsistencies of pretreating and not holding up well in washes was just a pain in the ass and only being able to print ringspun shirts and fibrillation and only doing 8 to 12 dark color shirts an hour was crazy. i was going a bit crazy about that and most ppl would order 1 color jobs or 3 and i was like man ima just sell this and try silk screening again. i think my initial problem when i tried screen printing was that the white ink kept getting clogged in the screens but i figured out after that the guy who sold me the press and ink did not tell me that i had to use a thinner to make my white ink thinner because it was too thick so that situation made me think twice about screen printing but i am going to give it another try. That and i have also been looking into buying one of those DTF 24" printers with the powder machines. it seems legit but i would have to get some samples first. i also found a vg 540i for like 10k but i am not sure if i would make good profit on that or what i could offer buying one of those.

[@SPYLXER]

Wonder why your screens have to expose for so long. Seen another KZbin only have to expose for 45 seconds

[@leestuart38]

This was 30 seconds...

[@larrymorrison904]

Uhhh, super cheap?!?!?? Try about $25 plus half that amount to mail that tiny little piece of plastic!

[@leestuart38]

Compared to the hours and hours of wasted time and all the wasted materials trying to dial exposure times without it, yes it is very cheap. If $25 is expensive you might be in the wrong business because it gets a lot worse