Emulsion drying times

[duckz10]

Hey, newbie again!!!
After apply the emulsion to the screen, how long should it be left before you burn your image onto it?
Again, prob a very simple answer and i've prob overlooked it on one of your videos!

Thanks guys,
Duckz.

[Catspit Productions]

Depending on the relative humidity in your region and the quantity of screens you coat in relation to the drying area this can take anywhere from a couple of hours to overnight.

There is no real set answer for this question. As I have pointed out there are some variables to consider. So you have to see what works for you best. I coat several screens at once and put them in a drying box I made which has a small ventilation fan to pull fresh air in while exhausting humid air out. But when I fill up the box with freshly coated screens there is a lot of wet emulsion in there so I let them dry overnight.

But say the cabinet was empty when I started and I only did 3 screens them I could space them out and they would dry much faster. Also I am in a desert so the humidity here is very low normally.

In an open air room with a fan they can dry as fast as 30 minutes depending on the coating thickness too. So there are actually many variables to this question and that makes the answer a variable as well.

It could take anywhere from an hour to overnight to dry screens depending on the situation and conditions.

This cabinet of screens I let dry overnight:

[duckz10]

Thanks for the advice!

[Catspit Productions]

You’re welcome; it’s my pleasure to help out in any way. Good luck!

[ApeShirt]

I had to create a screen in a rush situation a couple weeks ago. I literally had a couple hours to coat a screen and print a shirt. This was due to me not paying attention and I botched exposing a previous screen. Anyway, I had the dehumidifier running and blew a box fan onto the screen for an hour. I then used a hair dryer for about 15 minutes. It was dry and I was able to get the job done in time. I usually let my screens dry overnight but found out it is possible to dry in a short amount of time under favorable conditions. I'd prefer not to have to rush often.

[Catspit Productions]

Sure you can rush dry or force dry a screen when you need to. It only risks blowing dust on the emulsion so if you’re in a clean room with a clean fan or little heater with a blower then you can dry a screen pretty quick.

Too much heat can actually harden emulsion so whenever you use some heat be sure that it is warm rather than very hot. And a dehumidifier is great if it can exhaust the humid air away from he screen.

But yeah not having to rush is best

[Saati]

I had to create a screen in a rush situation a couple weeks ago. I literally had a couple hours to coat a screen and print a shirt. This was due to me not paying attention and I botched exposing a previous screen. Anyway, I had the dehumidifier running and blew a box fan onto the screen for an hour. I then used a hair dryer for about 15 minutes. It was dry and I was able to get the job done in time. I usually let my screens dry overnight but found out it is possible to dry in a short amount of time under favorable conditions. I'd prefer not to have to rush often.

Just be carefull using the hair dryer to dry the emulsion. Particularly if it is a dual cure or diazo emulsion. The diazo is sensitive to heat. Exposed to heat over 120f can actually start to crosslink the diazo (causing it to expose)I am responding from a mobile device and I will double check the exact temperature later today. I know we set our dryers for 110f for maximum effect. I am not telling you you cant do this ....I am just sayng be carefull.