ImagesMagUK-Sep18

you should be looking into getting a CTS unit. Rinsing and washing out Another key problem in the screen creation journey is the final step of rinsing and washing out screens. If your screen printers have to keep a roll of masking tape, a needle and a Q-Tip handy to poke holes in the emulsion, and tape up and correct dodgy emulsion edges, you’ll already understand the importance of washing out your screens. This drives home that there is a big problem in this industry: underexposed screens. Do you feel that your shop has a grasp on how to expose screens correctly and what’s involved in ensuring craftsmanship in this critical step? If your shop has your exposure dialled in properly you can use a commercial pressure washer to blow out the emulsion for the print areas without worry. A quick rinse with some water, a few moments to let it sit and then whoosh! Under-exposed screens show up with premature emulsion breakdowns Marshall Atkinson is a leading production and efficiency expert for the decorated apparel industry, and the owner of Atkinson Consulting, LLC. Marshall focuses on operational efficiency, continuous improvement and workflow strategy, business planning, employee motivation, management and sustainability. He is a frequent trade show speaker, article and blog author, and is the host of InkSoft’s The Big Idea podcast. atkinsontshirt.com during a print run. You shouldn’t have to worry about this if you are confident in your process. Here are some more recommendations… Use an exposure calculator This will be provided by your emulsion manufacturer to dial in your exposure times for each screen. They will happily provide you with one and, if you are unsure how to use it, even train you to use it correctly. Check your light source If you are having trouble with under-exposed screens look at your light source. When was the last time you changed the bulb? Commonly, the answer is: “We don’t know. We’ve never changed it.“ Check for underexposure After you have exposed a screen, use a moistened white towel or T-shirt and wipe it around on the side of the screen not directly exposed; if any of the emulsion colours come off, you have an under-exposed screen. Time your washout How long does it take to wash out a screen in your shop? Properly imaged and exposed screens should take only a few minutes with a power washer. If you are in the 10-minute+ category, you have problems. Use a production log Document the frequency with which your press crews are stopping to fix a screen problem. This is the number one tool to use to investigate these challenges because it will tell you when the challenges are showing up. You can then link this to a change in your process, the person who created the screens, when a different brand of the emulsion was used, or some other variable. Wave goodbye to taping After washing out the screens, the next common step is to block out and tape. With a CTS unit, you rarely need to block out a screen for any problem pinholes or areas on the screen. If you are using aluminium static frames, you can also invest in screens that don’t have to be taped and avoid this step. Imagine the freedom of not having to add tape to screens or pull it off in reclaim! A final word I would highly encourage you to spend a good chunk of time examining the screen-making process in your shop. Take an honest assessment. Who do you have in charge of this process, or doing the work? Hopefully, you can say they are one of your top employees. Do you honestly feel you have the right tools and techniques to run a top notch screen department? If not, what are you going to do about it? www.images-magazine.com 34 images SEPTEMBER 2018 TIPS & TECHNIQUES