PHOTO-SILKSCREENS WITH PRINTSCREEN

PrintScreen photo-resist is selectively hardened by exposure to light, while un-lighted areas remain water-soluble. The exposed stencil is resistant to both water and solvent-based inks and makes durable long-printing screens on either natural or synthetic fabrics.

Handle PrintScreen under dim room light, avoiding direct daylight or direct fluorescent light. A safelight is not necessary, but for longer periods of time, as when the sensitizer is drying, near or total darkness is preferred.

Apply to a stretched screen with a sqeegee. Dry thoroughly in a darkened area under room temperature with circulating air from an electric fan. The coated screens can be stored overnight before exposure. Longer storage may make development difficult.

Expose through a line transparency held in contact by a glass plate. The transparency can be either negative or positive, depending on the desired effect. As an alternative to transparencies, a solid object such as leaf, key, etc. can be be used to make a line-art "photogram."

Exposure will be fastest -- approximately 4 to 6 minutes at a distance of 2 feet-- with a halogen bulb. Other light sources may require a significantly longer exposure. Ordinary household incandescent bulbs will require an impractically long exposure and should not be used.

Develop by brushing or sponging gently with cool tap water to gradually dissolve the unexposed areas, revealing the image. Do not rush this step, as it may take several minutes for the image to appear. When the image is fully developed, blot and dry.

Troubleshooting: If the unexposed areas do not dissolve, it indicates that drying time has been too long, or over-exposed to light. Conversely, if the overall surface blisters or softens, it is because of too short a drying time or under-exposure.

After drying, additional colors can be applied over the original image and the process repeated for multiple exposures.Reclaim with bleach solution on sythetic fabrics or gelatinase (Adolf's meat tenderizer works) on natural silk.

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