Throughout this project of setting up the basement studio, I have tried to find the easiest, most affordable methods while still producing the best results. It’s important to me to try a few options that could save me money instead of just haphazardly throwing money into (possibly) unnecessary equipment. But I guess there are just some things that I can’t cut corners on. Reclaiming screens might be one of these things.

Reclaiming Screens Pt. 1, Pt. 2 (This website has a number of really good articles on printing ranging from squeegee selection to creating good halftone films to the one about reclaiming screens) – “Stencil removers can do a good job of breaking down and loosening the stencil, but they simply can’t do their job properly without the assistance of a power washer.”
It makes a really convincing argument and also states that water temperature for reclaiming screens is really just a preference. In looking at pressure washers online, one that I was looking at claimed that it delivered 75 times more power than an ordinary garden hose. But what’s true and what’s just hype? I really don’t want to spend a lot of money on a pressure washer if it’s not the solution.

Part of me thinks that it could be the stencil remover solution. It’s what’s recommended by Ulano, but with whatever we’re using at MICA, I can usually remove all of the emulsion if I apply it to each side of the screen and thoroughly scrub with a sponge. It gets to the point where it gets sudsy and you can see the emulsion come off. The use of the pressure washer in that case is only for peace of mind. Even at looking at an art supply website like Dick Blick presents a page full of options on screen cleaners and reclaiming chemicals.

Unrelated to the act of reclaiming screens, but in my searching, I found Casey Britt’s log of his screenprinting set up and it’s a fascinating read. Very very nice vacuum table too!

The only thing I can conclude from today is that I need to do more research. Patience patience patience. Got to keep telling myself that.