Ulano Blue (Emulsion)

• Ultra fast exposing
  - Exposure-efficient with fixed or scanning LED units
  - Fast stencil throughput for high volume shops
  - Assures thorough exposure, even with weak light souces
  - Dependable polymerization assures durability and ink resistance
• High (6,000 – 8,000 centipoise) viscosity
  - Exceptional thickness build-up per coat
  - Easier to control during coating, even on coarse mesh
• Excellent Solvent Resistance
  - Resists plastisols (including aggressive post-phthalates) and most washup solvents
• Easy washout
• Shelf Life: unopened, 1 year at 70⁰ F. (21⁰ C.)

COLOR : Blue

VISCOSITY : 6,000-8,000 cps

SENSITIZER : SBQ

SOLVENT RESISTANCE : High

SHELF LIFE : 1 year at 70º F (21º C)

• Step 1: PREPARE THE FABRIC

Used or surface treated fabric need only be degreased using Magic Mesh Prep, Screen Degreaser Liquid No. 3, or dilute Screen Degreaser Concentrate No. 33. (Mechanical abrasion is an option for new fabric that is not surface treated. It increases the surface area of fabric for a better mechanical bond of the stencil, increasing printing run length. Use Microgrit No. 2 before degreasing. Abrading and degreasing can be combined in one step with Ulanogel 23.) A degreaser, Magic Mesh Prep also serves as a wetting agent and antistatic treatment. Screen fabric treated with Magic Mesh Prep can be coated with emulsion more evenly and will transfer ink more readily during printing.

• Step 2: SENSITIZING

BLUE is fully presensitized. No sensitizer need be added. BLUE should be handled only under yellow safe light conditions.

• Step 3: COAT THE SCREEN

Method 1: Apply one coat of emulsion on the printing side, then one coat on the squeegee side. Dry the screen thoroughly. Method 2: Apply two coats on the printing side, then two coats on the squeegee side, wet-on-wet. After each coating, rotate the screen 180°. Method 3: Follow Method 2 (above). Then, after drying the screen, apply two additional coats on the printing side, wet-on-wet.

• Step 4: DRY THE SCREEN

Dry multicoated screens (Methods 2 or 3) thoroughly in a horizontal position, printing side down, at room temperature in a dirt- and dust-free area. Use a fan to speed drying. If using a commercial dryer, dry the screen with warm, filtered air, up to 104° F. (40° C.).

• Step 5: CALCULATE THE APPROXIMATE EXPOSURE TIME

Refer to the Base Exposure Table (reverse side). Base Exposure Time X Exposure Variable Factors = Approximate Exposure Time.,

• Step 6: DETERMINE THE OPTIMAL EXPOSURE TIME

Make a Step Wedge Test (there is an instructional video covering this on the “Support” tab of our Web site: www.ulano.com) or use the Ulano ExpoCheck—carried through to actual printing—to determine your optimum exposure time. Optimum exposure is indicated: ■ At the exposure time when the emulsion first reaches its maximum color density and the edges of the positive do not “resolve.” ■ When there is no suggestion of softness or sliminess on the squeegee side of the stencil. ■ The print best duplicates the test positive at the level of resolution that the job requires.

• Step 7: WASHOUT THE STENCIL

After exposure, wet both sides of the screen with a gentle spray of cold water. Then spray forcefully from the printing side until the image areas clear. Rinse both sides of the screen with a gentle spray until no soft emulsion is left on the squeegee side, and no foam or bubbles remain. Blot excess water from the printing side with newsprint (unprinted newspaper stock).

• Step 8: BLOCKOUT AND TOUCHUP

Blockout Option 1: Before drying and exposing the coated screen, use excess emulsion from the coating step to cover the blockout area. Blockout Option 2: For non-water based-inks, after exposure and washout, dry the screen. Apply Screen Filler No. 60 or Extra Heavy Blockout No. 10. Touchup Option 1: Use excess emulsion and re-expose the screen. Touchup Option 2: For non-waterbased inks, use Screen Filler No. 60 or Extra Heavy Blockout No. 10 thinned with water.

• Step 9: STENCIL REMOVAL

Use All-Purpose Ink Wash, Eco-Wash 160 or the least powerful ink diluent necessary, to remove all ink remaining in the screen. Use Screen Degreaser Liquid No. 3 to help remove ink and solvent residues that might impair the action of the stencil remover. Brush Stencil Remover Liquid No. 4 or Stencil Remover Paste No. 5 on both sides of the screen. Do not let the stencil remover dry on the screen. Wash the screen with a forceful spray of water. Use Walk Away Haze Remover or Haze Remover Paste No. 78 to remove ink and haze residues.