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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Jacquard Puff Additive
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Item #: 37301
5 out of 5 stars
Jacquard Puff Additive increases the relief effect of prints on natural or synthetic fabric, paper, vinyl, metal, and leather when added to Jacquard S...
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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...
Jacquard SolarFast Thickener
Item #: 48933
In stock online
Mixing Jacquard SolarFast Thickener with Jacquard SolarFast Dyes increases viscosity for use in screen printing. No heat, steam, or chemical fixing re...
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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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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...
Speedball Screen Printing Glitter Additive
Item #: 46979
5 out of 5 stars
In stock online
Mix a little Speedball Screen Printing Glitter Additive with Speedball Fabric Screen Printing Ink to make your most sparkly creative visions a reality...
Franmar Textile Trial Kit
Item #: 45248
In stock online
Try some of Franmar’s most popular products for yourself with this Franmar Textile Trial Kit. Great for screen printers who are new to printing on tex...
Ulano LX-660 Emulsion
Item #: 43338
5 out of 5 stars
In stock online
An ideal emulsion for waterbased printing, Ulano LX-660 is a diazo-sensitized, dual-cure emulsion with superior resistance to waterbased inks and most...
Nazdar 5560 Series Flat Poster Screen Ink Fast Thinner
Item #: 43212
In stock online
Use Nazdar 5500 Series Flat Poster Screen Ink Fast Thinner when you want to speed up drying time. It’s great for washing your screens, too.
Jacquard Film Marker
Item #: 48933
5 out of 5 stars
In stock online
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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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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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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FN Ink Plastisol Screen Printing Ink Extender Base
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Item #: 47193
A low-cure, pigment-free plastisol ink with standard viscosity, FN Ink Plastisol Screen Printing Ink Extender Base brings unparalleled efficiency to l...
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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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Jacquard Screen Filler & Block Out
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Item #: 47107
2.3 out of 5 stars
For use with all waterbased screenprinting inks, Jacquard Screen Filler and Block Out is formulated for safe and easy use with Jacquard’s Screen Drawi...
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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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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...
Mayco Silkscreen Medium
Item #: 32704
5 out of 5 stars
In stock online
Mayco Silkscreen Medium is a thickening agent that creates a "ceramic paste" when added to paint, ideal for silkscreen processes on wet clay, bisque, ...
Daler-Rowney System3 Acrylics Screen Drawing Fluid
Item #: 47109
In stock online
System3 Screen Drawing Fluid is applied by brush directly to the screen to create the drawn image. It can be applied accurately when used full strengt...
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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...
Permaset Aqua Screen Print Ink Retarder
Item #: 43232
In stock online
The Permaset Aqua Retarder slows the drying of Permaset Aqua Fabric Inks to allow for longer working times, facilitate the release of prints from the ...
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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...
Ulano Screen Degreaser No. 3
Item #: 43309
4 out of 5 stars
In stock online
Removes oil and sizing from new or old screens. Use before stencil film application and after ink removal. Effective even in hard water. Non-caustic.
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Jacquard Softening Additive
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Item #: 47191
Create softer prints on lightweight fabrics and apparel with Jacquard Softening Additive. Designed for use with Jacquard Professional Screen Inks (not...
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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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Speedball Speed Clean Screen Cleaner
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Item #: 37900
4.6 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...
Jacquard Versatex Screen Life
Item #: 43227
In stock online
When mixed with water-based screen printing inks, Jacquard Versatex Screen Life slows drying time so you don’t have to rush your screen printing proje...
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Permaset Aqua Screen Print Paste
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Item #: 43232
Use Permaset Aqua Print Paste as an additive for extending Permaset Aqua Fabric ink colors. The water-based formula is makes for easy clean up.
Liquitex Silkscreen Medium
Item #: 00618
5 out of 5 stars
In stock online
Turn acrylic paint into silkscreen or monoprinting ink with Liquitex Silkscreen Medium. It changes the consistency of water-based acrylics without aff...