Screen Printing In The Big Apple
August 22, 2015 8:16 PM Subscribe
I'm an amateur screen printer and I've just moved to NYC. I've just pulled my first print since moving but I can't get the screen reclaimed with just my shower's pressure. Ideas?
The print and the printing process went swimmingly but when I went to reclaim the screen, I realized the water pressure in my bathroom just wasn't enough to cut it. Clearly, I need a bit more pounds per inch but I'm at a loss.
At my old home, I had access to things like a high-pressure water hose and the space to use said high-pressure water hose. Now that I'm in Manhattan, the old desperation stand-bys of self-service car washes and power washer rentals are just not happening. I was thinking of asking a local screen printing company if they can use their equipment but I can't see anyone stopping their own work to futz with my couple screens, even for a nominal fee.
I'm using Envirostrip for my emulsion remover. I'm open to trying another chemical but I obviously need it to be drain safe and have low fumes. Honestly, water pressure has done more for me than the chemicals but any port in a storm.
Any ideas?
The print and the printing process went swimmingly but when I went to reclaim the screen, I realized the water pressure in my bathroom just wasn't enough to cut it. Clearly, I need a bit more pounds per inch but I'm at a loss.
At my old home, I had access to things like a high-pressure water hose and the space to use said high-pressure water hose. Now that I'm in Manhattan, the old desperation stand-bys of self-service car washes and power washer rentals are just not happening. I was thinking of asking a local screen printing company if they can use their equipment but I can't see anyone stopping their own work to futz with my couple screens, even for a nominal fee.
I'm using Envirostrip for my emulsion remover. I'm open to trying another chemical but I obviously need it to be drain safe and have low fumes. Honestly, water pressure has done more for me than the chemicals but any port in a storm.
Any ideas?
There's another community print shop in Bushwick in case that's closer to you, the Bushwick Print Lab
posted by drapatz at 8:29 PM on August 22, 2015
posted by drapatz at 8:29 PM on August 22, 2015
If regular suburban shower pressure is usually enough, maybe a diaper sprayer would fit the bill? It attaches to the water line of a toilet tank and is designed to forcefully get things out of fabric crevices. We've used ours for a bunch of things.
posted by tchemgrrl at 5:12 AM on August 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by tchemgrrl at 5:12 AM on August 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm not sure how much more water pressure you would need (30% more or 100% more?) but I replaced my NYC shower head with a water-saving shower head which has 2 settings- one normal setting and one high-power setting which forces the same amount of water through fewer/smaller holes, resulting in much higher water pressure. I can't find the exact model online or I would link you to it, but any shower head with different settings should help. I would estimate the water pressure is at least 50% higher with the new shower head, but not sure it would be enough for your needs.
posted by matcha action at 7:47 AM on August 23, 2015
posted by matcha action at 7:47 AM on August 23, 2015
Do you have a bathtub? Maybe you can hack something like these handheld showers attachments and narrow the open end enough to up the pressure. Block off some of the holes in the spray head or take the head off entirely and clamp the end smaller. It'd be awful slow going reclaiming screens with a half-inch wide jet of water but it might get you the pressure you need.
posted by yeahlikethat at 9:52 AM on August 23, 2015
posted by yeahlikethat at 9:52 AM on August 23, 2015
Another print shop option: Shoestring Press
(I've been to events there and the space/people seem cool. I've never used their print facilities though)
posted by (Over) Thinking at 10:04 AM on August 23, 2015
(I've been to events there and the space/people seem cool. I've never used their print facilities though)
posted by (Over) Thinking at 10:04 AM on August 23, 2015
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posted by griphus at 8:20 PM on August 22, 2015 [1 favorite]