CPS 500 dual-cure screen printing emulsion

CPS 500 Photo Emulsion is a diazo-sensitised dual-cure photoemulsion used for screen printing stencil production. The emulsion is coated onto the mesh, then exposed and developed with water to form a stencil that blocks non-image areas while leaving image areas open for ink transfer onto the substrate.

With high resolution and excellent image definition, CPS 500 supports clear detail reproduction and sharp image edges. Its water and solvent resistance, combined with stencil durability, help meet a range of production requirements in textile, graphic and industrial printing.

Key features

1. Water and solvent resistance

Helps maintain stencil stability during printing with compatible ink systems.

2. High resolution and sharp edge definition

Reproduces fine details clearly and provides well-defined image edges for designs requiring high image sharpness.

3. Suitable for textile and graphic printing

Meets a wide range of stencil-making requirements for fabric, garment and graphic printing.

4. Durable stencils for long print runs

Produces durable stencils when processed correctly, helping maintain consistent quality throughout long print runs.

5. Easy coating and consistent exposure performance

Medium viscosity facilitates coating and helps produce a uniform emulsion layer. Consistent exposure performance supports quality control during stencil production.

Technical information

Applications

1. Textile and garment printing

Used to produce screen printing stencils for fabrics, garments and other textile products. Water resistance and stencil durability support production with compatible ink systems.

2. Graphic printing

Suitable for stencil-making applications requiring high resolution and sharp edge definition for reproducing text, linework and design details.

3. Industrial printing

Can be used in industrial screen printing applications requiring durable stencils and water and solvent resistance. Compatibility with the inks and specific production conditions should be checked.

Instructions for use

1. Mesh preparation and degreasing

Remove dust, grease and other contaminants from the mesh. Rinse thoroughly, then dry completely before coating.

2. Diazo sensitising

Mix the emulsion with the diazo sensitiser according to the instructions supplied with the product kit. Stir thoroughly and allow air bubbles to escape before use.

Do not alter the specified amount of diazo or mixing water, as this may affect coating characteristics and exposure performance.

3. Coating

Coat the mesh using a procedure appropriate for the mesh and stencil requirements. Maintain consistent scoop coater pressure, angle and speed to produce an even emulsion layer.

The number of coating passes should be selected according to the mesh count, required stencil thickness and print requirements.

4. Drying

Dry the screen in a clean area under suitable safelight conditions. Ensure the emulsion is completely dry before exposure.

Set the drying temperature and time according to the product’s technical instructions, and control humidity to minimise its effect on stencil quality.

5. Exposure and washout

Expose using suitable equipment and determine the appropriate exposure time through testing. After exposure, wash both sides of the screen evenly to remove unhardened emulsion from the image areas.

Check that all image details are fully open and free from residual emulsion.

6. Stencil finishing

Dry the screen after washout, then inspect image definition and check for pinholes. Touch up and block out non-image areas as required before production.

Storage and handling notes

Store the product in a cool, dry place at 5–25°C. Protect from freezing and direct sunlight, and keep the container tightly closed after use.

The shelf life is 12 months under the specified storage conditions. For diazo-sensitised emulsion, follow the separate instructions regarding usable life after mixing.

Record the sensitising date, coating conditions and exposure time to support consistent quality between stencil-making batches. Before full-scale production, test the stencil with the actual ink system to confirm suitability.