Key for Coating

Coating a screen with a Diazo Photo Emulsion is a critical step in the screen printing process. It lays the foundation for transferring your designs onto various surfaces with precision and clarity. If you're new to Screen Printing or looking to refine your coating technique, this guide will walk you through the process step by step.

Preparation

Whether you purchase our 250ml or 1ltr Photo Emulsion Set, both will require you to mix the Photo Emulsion and Diazo Sensitiser, details on this can be found in the product description here. 

Before we start, make sure you have degreased your screens, this will ensure you have the best screen possible for applying photo emulsion - read more here.

Before we begin; make sure you have all the necessary materials at hand. You'll need a Screen (wooden or aluminium works), pre-mixed Photo Emulsion, a Scoop Coater, a spatula or pallet knife, access to a darkroom/light-safe area and a flat surface for drying. 

Let's Coat ✨

We prefer to apply two coats of emulsion on the print side and one on the squeegee (ink)side. This is how we coat screens for custom exposures. On higher mesh counts you can coat once on each side to make lighter prints. If you do this you will need to adjust your exposure times accordingly. (A thinner coat will expose faster).

One last tip: When it comes to applying the Photo Emulsion, we recommend you place the scoop coater at least an inch from the edge of the frame. You cannot print edge-to-edge anyway so no need to coat the whole screen to that extent - it's also quite tricky to cover that space. Most printers will cover this gap with screen tape. We use Blue Screen Tape

Step 1 - Secure the Screen

Secure your Screen, in this instance, we have used a block of wood to hold the screen against. It's easier like this as you will have more control with the scoop coater. This will also prevent the Screen from slipping or moving and the emulsion going everywhere. 

Step 2 - Fill it up!

Fill your Scoop Coater to half full with the pre-mixed Photo Emulsion. If you pour too much, it will spill out of the sides. Not enough and the coat will be patchy. Going half full is the perfect balance. 

Step 3 - Print Side

Starting with the print side, place the edge of the scoop coater against the mesh and tilt it forward until the emulsion touches the mesh all the way along. Use the plastic parts on the ends of the scoop coater as a guide on what angle to use. 

Pull the scoop coater up the screen. Use a smooth movement with even pressure. This will give an even thickness to your stencil. (You don't want a thick patch anywhere. It won't expose correctly and could lead to premature breakdown of your stencil) 

Do one coat up the screen, making sure there are no bubbles on the surface. Go nice and slow. Stop about the same distance from the top of the frame. 

Step 4 - Print Side 

Now it's time for the second coat on the print side; turn the screen, using the same side so you coat the next layer in the other direction. Use the exact same coating speed and angle. 

Step 5 - Squeegee Side

Now you'll want to flip the screen to the squeegee side. Do one coat on the squeegee side, matching the placement of the emulsion to the print side you just did. As a rule of thumb, the squeegee side only gets one coat. Make sure to always do the squeegee side last. 

Step 6 - Remove any excess

It's that simple! You have just coated your Screen. Now we recommend once both sides are coated you scrape off any excess with the scoop coater. Also, clean up any drips or excess at the edges of the screen. You should now have a finished screen with a nice smooth even coating!