Process control

Why Screen Printing Exposure Time Changes

Understand how light, distance, emulsion, mesh, coating, film density, contact, and processing change screen exposure time.

A useful exposure time belongs to a documented setup. Change the setup, and the old number becomes a starting hypothesis rather than proof.

UV source and lamp geometry

Different lamps deliver different spectra and intensity. For a point-like source, exposure time changes approximately with the square of distance: doubling distance requires about four times the exposure. LED arrays and close, extended sources can depart from the simple model, so confirm the adjusted time.

Emulsion and coating

Emulsion chemistry, sensitization, age, storage, coating count, coating side, and dried stencil thickness all affect the UV dose needed to harden through the mesh. Use the current technical sheet for the exact product, not a generic chart copied from another shop.

Mesh and color

Mesh count, thread diameter, and dyed versus white mesh change how light reaches and scatters through the stencil. A time qualified on one mesh should not silently become the default for every screen.

Film density and contact

The positive must block enough UV in image areas, and it must sit tightly against the stencil. Weak density can fog image areas while poor contact softens edges. Neither problem is reliably fixed by changing time alone.

Development and shop drift

Drying conditions, screen-room light, washout pressure, water temperature, and delays between coating, exposure, and washout can change what you observe. Keep a printed record so a good result can be repeated and a drift can be traced.

Primary overview: Chromaline, Dialing In Exposure
Primary overview: Ulano, How Do I Test Exposure?