How to clean and reclaim your screen printing frames

So we've already covered a little of this in our Top Tips from the Workshop: Great screens post, but there's always more to be said!

This time we're looking at how to strip the screen right back, so that it is just the mesh and it can be used again for a new design.

Top Tip: It's always important to clean the ink off the screen after you've finished printing, not only will you be able to use the excess ink you save, but it will make your life so much easier when you come to use that screen again, or reclaim it completely.

There's a variety of screen printing frames out there, with a whole range of mesh counts, if you're not sure what you need, we're happy to help!

In a nutshell: You'll need Emulsion Remover, a brush and some water.

Apply the emulsion remover to the screen, dab it on with a cloth or use the brush to move it around. Make sure all the emulsion on both sides of the screen is wet.

Wait a minute or so, then give the screen a little scrub with the brush, not too hard, we want to soften that emulsion up a little and make this as easy as possible.

Reapply some more emulsion remover and repeat the step above. Keeping the screen wet is key, you don't want the remover drying out.

Right about now you should be able to wash the emulsion out. A jet wash makes life easy, a bucket full of water and a little elbow grease will do!

There might be a few tough spots, just repeat the process on those spots.

Top Tip: If you've already clean the ink off the screen, the emulsion remover will get to work on the emulsion right away, rather than being used to clean off the ink...

Are you using Jacquard Photo Emulsion? Our Hunt The Moon Emulsion Remover works a treat.

Are you using Speedball Photo Emulsion? You could use the Speedball Emulsion Remover or ours works a treat too!

Pre：How to Maximize the Life of Your Screen Printing Screens?

Next：Different types of screen printing frames