Cleaning silk screens efficiently after use is crucial for their longevity and ensuring optimal printing results. Traditionally, manual cleaning methods involve using a type of cleaning agent inside the screen printing machine and then gently wiping the surface layer of the screen with a clean fabric.
Nowadays, specialized silk screen cleaning machines are commonly used for cleaning. Below are two methods for cleaning silk screens efficiently:
- Using a Professional Silk Screen Cleaning Machine: The DEZ-C742 silk screen cleaning machine is designed specifically for cleaning silk screens. It utilizes high-pressure spraying to effectively clean and rinse off ink residues and impurities from the screen, ensuring comprehensive cleanliness. The unique rotating spray cleaning, independent rotating spray rinsing, and high-pressure air drying guarantee thorough cleaning. The cleaning pressure is adjustable to ensure stable screen tension, and the cleaning frequency is automatically counted for convenient maintenance.
- Manual Cleaning of Silk Screens: First, scrape the ink from the image area of the screen to the bottom. Then, use a damp sponge to scrub the image area of the screen. If necessary, use a screen cleaning agent to clean the image area to prevent ink from drying on the screen. Finally, collect the ink back into the ink container. If there are still ink traces or dirt on the non-image area of the screen, it will not affect the printing effect as all impurities will be removed during the screen recovery process.
During manual cleaning, lay the screen flat in a washing trough and gently scrub it. Avoid standing the screen upright to prevent interference with screen tension and loosening. For multicolor printing, consecutive production is recommended, with no more than a 1-day interval between printing colors to prevent substrate expansion or ink glassification, which can affect print quality.
Additionally, when manually cleaning, apply cleaning agent evenly to both sides of the screen and then wipe it with a sponge. Rinse it thoroughly with clean water to ensure no bubbles are left behind and avoid touching the screen after cleaning. Allow the screen to air dry in a dust-free environment, avoiding the use of electric fans, as this can introduce dust. Using a drying cabinet is ideal for ensuring uniform airflow through the screen. Silk screen cleaning machines are widely available on the market and offer excellent cleaning results for those who have access to them.