What are the three main types of emulsions?

The three main types of emulsions are diazo, SBQ-based or photopolymer, and dial cure. Diazo emulsions are a good choice for novice screen printers because they are affordable and easy to use. They require the manual mixing of photosensitizer with resins. Diazo emulsions change color during exposure, letting you know visually the degree to which your stencil is exposed. However, diazo emulsions are less sensitive to light than other types of emulsions and require longer exposure times. The resulting stencil tends to be thicker, making diazo emulsions a poor choice for detailed prints or prints that require halftones. Once mixed, diazo emulsions will last a few months on the shelf. SBQ-based or photopolymer emulsions expose within seconds, making them much faster than diazo emulsions. They are pre-sensitized, meaning that they are ready to use right out of the package with no mixing or other preparation required. The more delicate bonds created make them a good choice for detailed work. These emulsions tends to create a thinner stencil, but multiple coats can be layered if a thicker stencil is required. Pure photopolymer emulsions have long shelf lives, but most are not very water-resistant. As a result, they are not as well suited to waterbased inks. Dual-cure emulsions combine diazo and photopolymer emulsions. Dual-cure emulsions are versatile and create very durable stencils. They require mixing and cure faster than diazo emulsions, but not as quickly as SBQ-based emulsions.

Screen Printing Chemicals

Screen printing chemicals aid artists before, during, and after the printing process. They are used to prepare and fix screens, clean supplies, alter screen printing inks, and more. Fillers and blockouts repair screens, replacing masking tape...

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Speedball Drawing Fluid and Screen Filler
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Item #: 43306
4.3 out of 5 stars
(32) number of reviews
For positive screen printing. Brush Drawing Fluid on areas to print. Spread Screen Filler over entire bottom side of screen. Spray water onto top of s...
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Speedball Diazo Photo Screen Printing Emulsions
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Item #: 43304
4.5 out of 5 stars
(71) number of reviews
Designed for use with polyester screen fabrics, with Speedball Diazo Photo Screen Printing Emulsions you can create professional-quality photographic-...
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Speedball Screen Printing Acrylic Extender Base
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Item #: 43217
5 out of 5 stars
Speedball Screen Printing Acrylic Extender Base is formulated to create more transparent ink colors. Simply mix with any Speedball Acrylic Ink, in any...
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Ulano 925WR Diazo Emulsion
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Item #: 43336
4.7 out of 5 stars
With a higher solids content than Ulano TZ Diazo Emulsion, this pale violet, phthalate-free, water-resistant screen emulsion shares TZ's main characte...
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Ulano Proclaim Emulsion
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Item #: 47105
4.8 out of 5 stars
This fast-drying diazo-photopolymer, dual-cure emulsion provides unequalled exposure latitude, even if underexposed and used with aggressive inks and ...
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Ulano Stencil Remover No. 4
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Item #: 43310
4.6 out of 5 stars
For removing direct emulsion or CDF direct films from screens. Fast action on all types of fabric. Easy-to-use. Contains no strong alkaline or hypochl...
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Franmar STRIP-e-doo Emulsion Remover
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Item #: 45247
Strip your screens clean— not your wallet!— with Franmar Strip-e-doo Emulsion Remover. This cleaner is strong enough to strip up to 120 screens with a...
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Ulano QTX Pure Photopolymer Emulsion
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Item #: 43315
5 out of 5 stars
Lightning-fast exposing screen emulsion for textile applications. High solids content provides stencil build per wet-on-wet coat, plus bridging of coa...
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Ulano Orange
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Item #: 44073
4.9 out of 5 stars
Specially formulated for sportswear printing, Ulano Orange is a ready-to-use SBQ-photopolymer direct emulsion. Its high viscosity makes it a good choi...
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Speedball Speed Clean Screen Cleaner
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Item #: 37900
4.5 out of 5 stars
At last, a highly effective screen filler remover and screen cleaner! Makes screen cleaning a breeze! Apply to both sides of screen, scrub, then apply...
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Golden Acrylic Silkscreen Medium
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Item #: 00628
5 out of 5 stars
Golden Acrylic Silkscreen Medium is a waterborne system designed to blend with Golden acrylic paints for silkscreen application. It increases the work...
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Mayco Silkscreen Medium
Item #: 32704
5 out of 5 stars
Mayco Silkscreen Medium is a thickening agent that creates a "ceramic paste" when added to paint, ideal for silkscreen processes on wet clay, bisque, ...
Ulano LX-660 Emulsion
Item #: 43338
5 out of 5 stars
An ideal emulsion for waterbased printing, Ulano LX-660 is a diazo-sensitized, dual-cure emulsion with superior resistance to waterbased inks and most...
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Speedball Diazo Photo Emulsion Remover
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Item #: 44961
4.5 out of 5 stars
Clean screen-printing screens easily and effectively with Speedball Diazo Photo Emulsion Remover. To use, simply apply the photo emulsion remover to b...
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Ulano Trifecta Photosensitive Emulsion
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Item #: 44155
4.7 out of 5 stars
Ulano Trifecta Photosensitive Emulsion is a ready-to-use SBQ-dual cured direct emulsion that’s specially formulated for sportswear printing. This viol...
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Franmar Bean-e-doo Plastisol Ink Remover
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Item #: 45222
Clean your screens easily, effectively, and safely with Franmar Bean-e-Doo Plastisol Ink Remover. Rather than relying on toxic solvents, Bean-e-doo ta...
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Blockout Pens
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Item #: 44928
4.7 out of 5 stars
For spotting pinholes and quick-fix repair of minor screen breakdowns. Replaces masking tape for jobs in progress. Blocked out pinholes will stand u...
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Speedball Screen Retarder Base
Item #: 40303
With Speedball Screen Retarder Base, you can slow down drying times during the screen printing process, giving you more time to work! Simply add it to...
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Jacquard Photo Emulsion
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Item #: 44104
With Jacquard Photo Emulsion, you can burn stencils directly into a screen for photo imaging quickly and easily. This light-sensitive emulsion is dura...
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Franmar D-HAZE Haze Remover
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Item #: 45243
Made with American-grown soybeans instead of caustic chemicals, Franmar D-Haze Haze Remover is tough on stains yet gentle on screen mesh. All it takes...
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Speedball Screen Printing Gloss Acrylic Overprint Varnish
Item #: 47217
Keep your screen-printing inks looking their best on paper and wood with Speedball Screen Printing Gloss Acrylic Overprint Varnish. This non-yellowing...
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Jacquard Versatex Clear Extenders
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Item #: 01205
4.5 out of 5 stars
Jacquard Versatex Clear Extender can be added to Versatex Screen Printing Inks to increase color transparency when printing on fabric or paper. This c...
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Franmar Biggee Scrub Pads
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Item #: 45223
Franmar Biggee Scrub Pads are the true heroes of any screen print studio. When paired with the proper solvent, they can clean ink from screens without...
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Jacquard Versatex Screen Printing Color Fixer
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Item #: 43228
5 out of 5 stars
"Fix" your heat setting problems and improve washability with Versatex Screen Printing Color Fixer! Add the Fixer to Versatex fabric paints, printing ...
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Franmar Aqua-Wash Water-Based Ink Remover
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Item #: 45221
With Franmar Aqua-Wash Water-Based Ink Remover, even screens that are heavily clogged with dried waterbased inks can be easily reclaimed. Its low-odor...
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Jacquard Film Marker
Item #: 48933
5 out of 5 stars
The Jacquard Film Marker lets you create hand-drawn film negatives on Jacquard SolarFast Film for use with Jacquard SolarFast Dyes. It’s also ideal fo...
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Franmar D-GREASE Screen Degreaser
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Item #: 45241
Ensure every print is as crisp as possible by starting your screen prep with Franmar D-Grease Screen Degreaser. Simply spray onto your screen to gentl...
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Franmar One Step Clear Ink and Emulsion Remover
Item #: 45246
Take your screens for a dip in Franmar One Step Clear Ink and Emulsion Remover and you’ll be amazed by how clean they emerge! A single gallon of this ...
Speedball Puff Fabric Screen Printing Ink Modifier
Item #: 48929
Create exciting, three-dimensional prints on shirts, bags, paper, and more with the Speedball Puff Fabric Screen Printing Ink Modifier. Mix this modif...
Liquitex Silkscreen Medium
Item #: 00618
5 out of 5 stars
Turn acrylic paint into silkscreen or monoprinting ink with Liquitex Silkscreen Medium. It changes the consistency of water-based acrylics without aff...