Haze/Ghost after reclaim

Here you can discuss any issues related to working with water based screen printing inks. This would include curing, heat setting, mixing colors, additives, brands, usages and much more.

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Dado
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2016 2:46 pm

Haze/Ghost after reclaim

Post by Dado »

Hi there,

First of all thx for all the instructional videos, very helpful stuff there.
I'm coming from the Netherlands and place where I bought my stuff is promoting your videos on their site as a go to for info ;), I'm curious if you can help me out with this issue, as I'm quite fresh with silkscreen printing, coming from Etching and my screenprinting work is orientated towards art prints, so I'm sure I'm making some newbie mistakes. Now, I have followed as much as I could on instructional videos etc that I could find, but naturally nothing beats the practice, my issue is that even though I clean my stencil after the print run with ink remover (SM Cleaner PRO V60 while using Aquatex ink, I still am left with a ghost, even after I use a anti ghost Fotechem 2089 Gel which I leave to sit for 5min on a dryscreen as advised, mind you the ink doesn't dry during printing, neither are my runs large, and I am washing with pressure washer during reclaim, there must be something I am doing wrong, cause when I Iook at your videos, your screens washout completely clean.

Is there some suggestion you could give so that I can reclaim more clean without necessarily using a de-hazer afterwards, and what could I do to improve when cleaning ink after a print run?

Thank you in advance.
Dado
Dado
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2016 2:46 pm

Re: Haze/Ghost after reclaim

Post by Dado »

So, did a little bit of extra research, if the info I found is right, it turns out that the acrylic based ink leaves these stains automatically, even the emulsion around the stencil tends to stain, which is exactly what is happening to me, what I do still wonder is, is there some smart way to deal with this without using aggressive chemicals that will deteriorate the screen mesh, what would be your experience with this if any? does anyone have some suggestions etc..? I'm switching to Permaset ink's, does anyone have any tips, do they behave better, and if not what do you do to prevent the staining/hazing?
Any info/suggestion/help is appreciated
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Catspit Productions
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Joined: Wed Mar 21, 2012 10:47 am
Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Re: Haze/Ghost after reclaim

Post by Catspit Productions »

Thanks for watching my videos. I’m glad I can help out through them. Thanks for watching and you’re very welcome.

Unfortunately it's really a matter of a good haze remover and a decent pressure washer. If the stain is stubborn I would usually suggest a better haze and stain remover. You can also try some agitation with a scrub brush on both sides of the screen to work in the haze remover before pressure washing.

As for the emulsion, make sure to do a post cure if you're using a photopolymer emulsion. That will make it more resistant to chemicals and help prevent staining or screen lock.

I hope that helps out some.
Jonathan Monaco
Catspit Productions, LLC
Learn how to screen print tee shirts!

http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/CatspitProductions
Dado
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2016 2:46 pm

Re: Haze/Ghost after reclaim

Post by Dado »

Thank you very much, your advice is very welcome. De-hazing & Post Curing it is then! Keep up the great work, thx :)
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Catspit Productions
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Posts: 1995
Joined: Wed Mar 21, 2012 10:47 am
Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Re: Haze/Ghost after reclaim

Post by Catspit Productions »

My pleasure to help out where I can.
Jonathan Monaco
Catspit Productions, LLC
Learn how to screen print tee shirts!

http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/CatspitProductions
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