Screen Printing
Exposure Unit Manual www.silkscreeningsupplies.com 800-314-6390
Please Read Instructions Prior To Use
X-VACTOR VACUUM
COMPRESSION LID
OPEN FACE
1
Table of Contents:
Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9-10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13-14 Table of Contents Exposure unit setup and preparation Exposure times, Washout Block-out, Taping the screen Additional Exposure times/emulsions Troubleshooting- Screen exposure variables Troubleshooting- Over/Under exposure Step Wedge Test- finding exposure times Analog Timer Instructions Digital Timer Instructions Ballast replacement
2
Set-up of the UV Exposure Unit and Preparation of the Screen Room
A light safe environment consists of a room blocked out from UV Rays; in a light safe room you can setup your Ryonet UV Exposure Unit. Place on a flat surface about waist high, make sure it’s secure and plugged in. If it’s available use a 4x8” folding table or countertop. Keep the washout area away from the unit, use a shower curtain to prevent overspray in tight quarters. A light safe environment can have light safe bulbs such as yellow bug light bulbs. Fluorescent tube covers in yellow or clear will also block UV rays. If you do not have a dedicated darkroom, a bathroom with no windows or a room with dark blinds or Rubylith covering the windows will suffice. To find Rubylith visit the darkroom supplies page on www.silkscreeningsupplies.com.
Step 1: Prep for exposure
Always clean your glass prior to exposing a screen. (For Compression Lid & Open Face Units make sure the foam that came with the unit is cut to fit the inside of your frames, trim if needed.) For X-VACTOR Vacuum Units: Always clean your glass prior to exposing a screen. For reclaimed frames that may have ink residue use a black muslin cloth to protect the vacuum blanket. Tape the enclosed rope to the glass where the vacuum fitting enters the blanket; place the rope into the frame along the edge and away from your film. This
Please Read Instructions Prior To Use
X-VACTOR VACUUM
COMPRESSION LID
OPEN FACE
1
Table of Contents:
Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9-10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13-14 Table of Contents Exposure unit setup and preparation Exposure times, Washout Block-out, Taping the screen Additional Exposure times/emulsions Troubleshooting- Screen exposure variables Troubleshooting- Over/Under exposure Step Wedge Test- finding exposure times Analog Timer Instructions Digital Timer Instructions Ballast replacement
2
Set-up of the UV Exposure Unit and Preparation of the Screen Room
A light safe environment consists of a room blocked out from UV Rays; in a light safe room you can setup your Ryonet UV Exposure Unit. Place on a flat surface about waist high, make sure it’s secure and plugged in. If it’s available use a 4x8” folding table or countertop. Keep the washout area away from the unit, use a shower curtain to prevent overspray in tight quarters. A light safe environment can have light safe bulbs such as yellow bug light bulbs. Fluorescent tube covers in yellow or clear will also block UV rays. If you do not have a dedicated darkroom, a bathroom with no windows or a room with dark blinds or Rubylith covering the windows will suffice. To find Rubylith visit the darkroom supplies page on www.silkscreeningsupplies.com.
Step 1: Prep for exposure
Always clean your glass prior to exposing a screen. (For Compression Lid & Open Face Units make sure the foam that came with the unit is cut to fit the inside of your frames, trim if needed.) For X-VACTOR Vacuum Units: Always clean your glass prior to exposing a screen. For reclaimed frames that may have ink residue use a black muslin cloth to protect the vacuum blanket. Tape the enclosed rope to the glass where the vacuum fitting enters the blanket; place the rope into the frame along the edge and away from your film. This