Scoop Coater Techniques

[upperhandprinting]

Hey guys,
I'm having a bit of trouble with getting a nice even coat with my scoop coater. I'm wondering if you have any more tips other than the catspit videos on coating to offer? I'm getting it on way too thick sometimes, and thicker on one side than the other. Most of my issues arise from it being too thing. Is this just pressure while coating and the speed at which I'm doing it as well?

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

thanks!

[Catspit Productions]

It’s just a matter of using more pressure and getting used to the process. I do one coat on each side ending with the inkwell side which should push most of the emulsion to the substrate side. You want the emulsion over mesh to be more on the substrate side.

Use the thin side of your scoop coater if it is double sided and try more pressure with a slower stroke. Don’t be afraid to put some effort into the coating by keeping firm pressure and a smooth slower pass when you are coating.

Do the same thing for each screen: firm pressure, start with the substrate side and end with the inkwell side. One and one with a smooth slow pass and don’t vary the pressure at all. Use more pressure rather than less if need be.

[upperhandprinting]

firm pressure,

That was the ticket. I tried that one a whim today and they came out great. At first I was worried it would stretch the mesh or push it through too much, but with a bit more pressure than I was using before, they were even and coated just like they should be. Thanks so much for the tip!

[Catspit Productions]

Excellent, I am so happy to help out. I’m sure this thread will help others too. Thanks for posting to the Catspit Forum

[ApeShirt]

You should hear it "zip" along the screen if you are using enough pressure.

[upperhandprinting]

You should hear it "zip" along the screen if you are using enough pressure.

That's kind of my cue for when I know I'm doing it right. Thanks!!

[OffsetnScreen]

New scoop coater came in, I cant wait to see how a real one rather than a McGuyvered one works out when I implement these valuable techniques. I will listen for the zip. The zip I gather helps determine proper pressure. I get it. I had big droplets on the underside of my first couple of screens...A pretty good indication that I had applied waaaaaay too much emulsion, hence longer burning time, and longer washout time hoping not to waterlog the emulsion that I wanted to keep. Thanks for the tradesmans tips...peace