Home › Screen Printing › Screen Printing Chemicals › How to Clean Screen Printing Screens (Ink, Emulsion & Haze)
| Cleaning ink only | Reclaiming the screen | |
|---|---|---|
| When | Between colors, end of the day, re-running the same design | Job finished — you want a blank screen for a new design |
| What comes off | Ink only; the stencil stays | Ink, stencil (emulsion), stains and haze |
| Chemicals | Ink remover / press wash | Ink remover, emulsion remover, degreaser, haze remover if needed |
Ink dried in the mesh on press? A screen opener / press wash in a spray bottle clears it without pulling the screen. Browse press washes and screen openers.
Want one product for ink and stencil? Franmar One-Step ink & emulsion remover, gallon ($58.95) removes both. Shop all emulsion removers.
Scrub the mesh with a screen degreaser, rinse well and let it dry in a clean, dust-free area. Degreasing removes oils and remover residue so the next coat of emulsion sticks evenly — it is the best defense against pinholes.
A faint "ghost" of an old design, or a stain from ink pigment, can stay in the mesh even when it is clean. Light stains usually do not affect the next print. If the ghost blocks the mesh or shows in your next exposure, use a haze remover such as Franmar D-Haze remover, gallon ($81.00) or Easiway 701N screen wash & stain remover, quart ($21.00), following the label exactly — haze removers are strong chemicals, so wear gloves and eye protection. Shop dehazers and haze removers.
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Emulsion will not come off | Ink left on the screen, remover dried, or the screen was over-exposed / post-hardened | Clean all ink first, keep remover wet, use a stronger stripper or haze remover |
| Ghost image | Ink pigment or stencil residue locked in the mesh | Haze remover; prevent with prompt cleaning after each job |
| Pinholes on the next screen | Grease or dust on the mesh | Degrease and dry in a clean room |
| Torn mesh | Pressure washer too close, or worn mesh | Back the tip off; re-mesh or replace the screen |
Chemicals are sold with their safety data sheets — follow the label and SDS for dilution, dwell time and protective equipment. Opened chemicals cannot be returned (see returns).
Scrape off the ink, remove what is left with ink remover or press wash, strip the stencil with emulsion remover and a pressure washer, degrease, and use a haze remover only if a ghost image remains.
A plastisol ink remover or press wash, such as Franmar Bean-e-doo or CCI JP-53. Water does not dissolve plastisol.
Remove all ink first, then apply emulsion remover to both sides, keep it wet for the time on the label, and pressure-wash the stencil out.
Usually because ink was left on the stencil, the remover dried on the mesh, or the screen was over-exposed or hardened. Clean the ink first, keep the remover wet, and use a haze remover or stronger stripper for stubborn stencils.
Use a haze remover made for screen printing and follow the label. Light ghosting that does not block the mesh usually will not affect the next print.
Yes, while it is still wet. Dried water-based ink needs a screen opener or ink remover.
Related guides: How to make a screen · All screen printing chemicals · Emulsion removers · Plastisol ink guide · Screen printing kits · What is screen printing?
