patchy ink distribution problem
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 9:11 am
Hello everyone
This is my first post, I'm new to screen printing and hoping to benefit from your knowledge and experience if possible.
I have just started out with a Speedball Starter kit, and after over exposing my screen on my first attempt I tried my second attempt at exposure, and had short session printing on fabric yesterday. I am getting very patchy prints, despite the screen appearing to be exposed correctly i.e. the areas covered by my positive during exposure appear to be clear of emulsion.
I'm using the screen from the starter kit (no idea what mesh count), with the basic plastic squeegee which came with it, Speedball Diazo emulsion, Speedball Fabric Ink (water based I think), on 100% cotton tee.
Here's a pic of my best print, which took seemingly a lot of ink, and about 10 strokes with the squeegee, both up and down (I've no idea if that is a good idea or not.)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65072645@N06/5923217110/
..and here's a pic of my screen, following wash up
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65072645@N06/5923220106/
(the difference in tone of the clear areas is due to the background (sky and trees), the mesh does appear equally clear throughout the image.
As you can see the ink is not transferring well in all places. I would be really grateful if anyone could point me in the right direction here. Maybe its the equipment (squeegee etc), maybe its my technique, maybe its the mesh count/ink?
As I said I am a beginner and starting out by trying to do some single colour DIY tees for my band, but as we wish to sell them they need to be of a reasonable quality, certainly a bit better than I have managed so far.
All help and suggestions gratefully received
Thanks
Leon
This is my first post, I'm new to screen printing and hoping to benefit from your knowledge and experience if possible.
I have just started out with a Speedball Starter kit, and after over exposing my screen on my first attempt I tried my second attempt at exposure, and had short session printing on fabric yesterday. I am getting very patchy prints, despite the screen appearing to be exposed correctly i.e. the areas covered by my positive during exposure appear to be clear of emulsion.
I'm using the screen from the starter kit (no idea what mesh count), with the basic plastic squeegee which came with it, Speedball Diazo emulsion, Speedball Fabric Ink (water based I think), on 100% cotton tee.
Here's a pic of my best print, which took seemingly a lot of ink, and about 10 strokes with the squeegee, both up and down (I've no idea if that is a good idea or not.)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65072645@N06/5923217110/
..and here's a pic of my screen, following wash up
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65072645@N06/5923220106/
(the difference in tone of the clear areas is due to the background (sky and trees), the mesh does appear equally clear throughout the image.
As you can see the ink is not transferring well in all places. I would be really grateful if anyone could point me in the right direction here. Maybe its the equipment (squeegee etc), maybe its my technique, maybe its the mesh count/ink?
As I said I am a beginner and starting out by trying to do some single colour DIY tees for my band, but as we wish to sell them they need to be of a reasonable quality, certainly a bit better than I have managed so far.
All help and suggestions gratefully received
Thanks
Leon