General screen inquirey

[duckz10]

Hi & thanks soooo much for your site. The information, as a complete newbie in the world of screen printing, is invaluable!
My first question (I'm sure there will be thousands more as I continue with this adventure!) is.......
I have yet to ACTUALLY begin to print but wondered once the screen is suitably prepared with the chosen emulsion, is there a set time limit to use that screen? If stored in, say a darkened cabinet, does the emulsion go "past it's use by date" or can you prepare a dozen screens at once to be used on future projects?
Many thanks
Duckz.

[Catspit Productions]

You’re welcome, glad you like the website. Please help spread the word about Catspit Productions online and feel free to make use of the forum. I appreciate your support!

The answer to both parts of your question comes down to the type of emulsion you are using. A photopolymer emulsion can last up to 1 year on the shelf “at room temperature.” Dual cure emulsions on the other hands normally last only about 1 month after the sensitizer is mixed in.

For more on emulsions check out this article: http://www.catspitproductionsllc.com/li ... sions.html

So once the screen is coated in a light safe storage box or whatever at room temperature the storage time should be the same.

[duckz10]

Thanks for the information!!

[Catspit Productions]

No problem, thanks for posting on the forum and I hope you find it to be useful again in the future. I'm here to help out anytime

[GUNZ-N-HOZEZ]

I want to piggy back on his question about emulsion screens and ask, "Once you have burned the screen, how long can you keep the design in it before it starts to become 'permanent' in the screen?"

[Saati]

I want to piggy back on his question about emulsion screens and ask, "Once you have burned the screen, how long can you keep the design in it before it starts to become 'permanent' in the screen?"

As long as you have not hardened the stencil with a hardener/fixer you can reclaim that screen years later. With the proper chemicals you can make the screen practically new again.

[Catspit Productions]

Thanks for the excellent answer Saati. We all appreciate your input very much

[Free Man]

I would like to add that writing the date on your container when you mix emulsion is good practice. Also I have heard that storing it in the fridge can increase shelf life, has any one else heard this one?

[Catspit Productions]

You can store your ink in the fridge but I’m not sure how much it really can prolong life as it does add humidity. As long as the fridge isn’t too humid like over 55% then it should be fine.

As long as you don’t freeze it will be fine but I never really noticed any difference probably because I use it too fast.

[Free Man]

ah, yes, an issue I hope to some time run into, using my products too fast to know how long they could last., haha.