Learn How To Screen Print With Catspit Productions, LLC
Consumables Usage Charts; Inks, Emulsions And Chemicals

The following charts are for general reference. You should always thoroughly research any product you may use before actually using it. Check with the specific manufacturer of the product for usage and comparability information.

These charts do not take into consideration health hazards, storage, and disposal. Always be sure to comply with your local laws regarding health, storage and waste disposal regulations.

  • Inks
  • Water Based
  • Enamel
  • UV
  • Plastisol
  • PVC/Phthalate
    Free Plastisol
  • Common Usages
  • Signs, posters
    other novelty items
    printing of
    yard goods;
    either in piece
    form or on
    the roll, towels
  • Any metal substrate
    that can be
    printed on.
  • Indoor/outdoor signs,
    goods that can't
    take a heat cure.
  • Many garments
    including hats,
    nylons, polyesters,
    cotton, and blends.
  • Textile,
    process,
    spot colors.
  • Advantages
  • Cost, no oven
    is needed in
    certain applications,
    excellent soft
    hand feel,
    good penetration of
    substrate.

  • Bonds well to
    aluminum and steel,
    durability,
    no oven is needed.
  • Fast cure
    in UV oven,
    durability.
  • Bright colors,
    opacity, durability,
    easy to use,
    never dries
    on screen,
    able to print
    wet on wet,
    great shelf life.
  • Same as plastisol
    but more
    environmentally
    friendly.
  • Disadvantages
  • Odor, dries
    in screen easily,
    needs large area
    to lay out
    printed goods to
    dry or large
    ovens, curing with
    fabrics is critical.
  • Cost, odor,
    dries in screen
    during printing,
    needs large
    area to lay
    out printed
    goods to dry.
  • Cost, curing
    is critical,
    may be difficult
    to print.
  • An oven is
    needed to cure
    the ink,
    heavy ink
    deposits, cannot
    be ironed,
    releases fumes
    during curing.
  • Same as plastisol
    and cost,
    color choices,
    availability.

  • Emulsions:
  • Dual Cure
  • SBQ Photopolymer
  • Diazo
  • Common Usages
  • Halftone work,
    high detailed
    line work.
  • Great for
    spot colors,
    often used in
    textile applications
    because of
    durability.
  • Solvent &
    water resistant.
  • Advantages
  • Works well with
    inferior films,
    easy washout,
    widest exposure
    latitude.
  • Very durable,
    creates thick
    stencil, longest
    storage life,
    works with
    many types of
    inks and solvents,
    very fast.
  • Least expensive,
    wide exposure
    latitude, makes a
    thick stencil.
  • Disadvantages
  • 2 part needs
    to be mixed,
    short shelf
    life, slow.
  • Very opaque
    film is needed,
    small exposure
    latitude, harder
    to make
    halftones and
    detail.
  • 2 part needs
    to be mixed,
    short shelf
    life,
    very slow,
    not so good
    for halftones
    and detail.
  • Chemicals
  • Press Wash
  • Ink Wash
  • Paint Thinner
  • Bleach
  • Stencil Remover
  • Haze Remover
  • Common Usages
  • Removing ink
    on press
    during printing,
    cleaning squeegees.
  • Removing ink
    prior to
    reclaiming.
  • Removing ink
    on &
    off press.
  • Emulsion remover.
  • Removes cured
    emulsion from
    mesh for
    re-use.
  • Removes stains
    & ink
    residues from
    mesh for
    re-use.
  • Advantages
  • User friendly,
    leaves little
    residues.
  • User friendly,
    easily rinsed
    with water
    prior to
    reclaiming.
  • Cost, easy
    to purchase
    locally.
  • Cost &
    availability.
  • Easy to use,
    user friendly.
  • Improves mesh
    performance,
    easy to use.
  • Disadvantages
  • Cost &
    availability.
  • Cost &
    availability.
  • Leaves residue
    on screen,
    harsh on user,
    may be
    aggressive on
    some emulsions.
  • Very harsh
    on user,
    caustic, may
    damage mesh
    or frame.
  • Cost & availability,
    works best
    with pressure
    washer.
  • Cost & availability,
    may damage
    mesh if
    over used,
    harsh on user.

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