Your Shop’s Guide to Cleaner, Faster, More Consistent Screens
Keeping a clean screen room is the backbone of consistent production. Whether you’re a small shop reclaiming 20 screens a week or a large shop cycling 200+, following a standardized reclaim system eliminates pinholes, haze, and stencil failures before they reach the press.
Below is a clear, shop-friendly breakdown of Antony’s 10-Step Reclaiming Process-designed to help your team reclaim faster, cleaner, and with fewer mistakes.
1️⃣ De-Tape Screens
Remove all tape on both sides of the frame. Ensure no adhesive remains—residual glue causes chemical smearing later.
2️⃣ Apply Ink Degradent (Frames)
Spray ink degradent directly onto the frame edges.
Scrub completely to remove ink build-up that often hides in the corners.
3️⃣ Apply Ink Degradent (Mesh)
Spray LIBERALLY. Let the chemical do the work.
- Spray shirt side first → scrub
- Spray ink side second → scrub
Thorough scrubbing ensures no stained ink remains before power washing.
4️⃣ Power Wash (Ink Side First)
Using left-to-right passes starting from the bottom, power wash:
- Ink side
- Shirt side
- Mesh & frame
This step removes all ink and chemical traces before reclaiming the stencil.
5️⃣ Apply Emulsion Remover
Start on the ink side, then rotate and coat the shirt side.
Allow 30 seconds of dwell time for full chemical activation.
6️⃣ Power Wash Emulsion (Shirt Side Only)
From ~12" away, wash left-to-right from the bottom up.
This clears softened emulsion without damaging mesh fibers.
7️⃣ Inspect for Remaining Emulsion or Overspray
Check mesh and frame thoroughly.
If any residue remains → scrub and repeat.
Do not move forward until the mesh is fully cleared.
8️⃣ Degrease
Spray a clean, even coat of degreaser and scrub with a dedicated brush.
This step prevents fisheyes, scumming, and coating defects.
9️⃣ Flood Rinse (45 Seconds Minimum)
Use a shower-style hose setting.
Rinse heavily from top-to-bottom:
- At least 3 full passes
- Remove ALL foam residue
Proper rinsing prevents chemical contamination during coating.
🔟 Final Light Check
Hold the screen toward the light.
If you see inconsistencies, stains, or residue → repeat necessary steps.
If clean → rack vertically to dry for coating.
Why This Process Matters
Consistency on press starts in the screen room.
A sloppy reclaim leads to
❌ poor exposure
❌ premature stencil breakdown
❌ dot loss on halftones
❌ remakes and lost production time
This process keeps standards high, reduces labor waste, and ensures every press operator receives predictable, clean screens.
