Cleaning a Screen & Removing Emulsion

I get so many questions on how to clean a silk screen I thought I'd do a tutorial on it! There are two types of screens that I use over and over again: the contact paper stencil screen and the photo emulsion screen. Learn the proper techniques to clean and maintain your screens for continuous and long use of your materials.

Shopping list:

• Speedball Screen Cleaner
• Diazo Photo Emulsion Remover
• Distilled white vinegar
• Scrubbing Sponge or nylon scrub brush
• Magic Eraser

Let's get started!

Understanding screen cleaning basics

There are two types of screens that I use over and over again: the contact paper stencil screen and the photo emulsion screen. Each requires specific cleaning techniques to maintain their effectiveness and longevity.

Step 1: Remove the emulsion

Start by applying the Diazo Photo Emulsion Remover to break down the photo emulsion on your screen. This specialized remover is designed to dissolve the emulsion without damaging the screen mesh.

Step 2: Clean stubborn ink residue

Use Speedball Screen Cleaner to remove any remaining ink and stubborn residue from your screen. The cleaner is formulated to break down various types of printing inks without harming the screen material.

Step 3: Final cleaning and maintenance

For final cleaning, use distilled white vinegar with a scrubbing sponge or nylon scrub brush to remove any remaining residue. A Magic Eraser can be helpful for particularly stubborn spots. This ensures your screen is completely clean and ready for the next project.

Following these proper cleaning techniques will ensure continuous and long use of your screen printing materials, saving you money and maintaining consistent print quality.