2049 Screenpaste. Lascaux, 1 lt jar

Use Lascaux Screenpaste in combination with Lascaux Acrylic Colours to make water-based screenprinting inks

The water-based screenprinting method and the acrylic resist etching system are the modern options – safer, healthier and more environmentally friendly, as well as quick to learn and accessible to all. These processes are much cleaner and safer methods of printmaking. Water-based screenprinting uses few, if any chemicals in contrast to solvent based printing. Without the need for harmful solvents and expensive extraction units, it is therefore ideal for smaller workshops with limited space, facilities and financial resources. For many studios, schools and colleges, there is no need to invest in a whole new inventory of materials.

For more than three decades Lascaux has been producing the Lascaux Screenprinting Paste designed to be used in conjunction with Lascaux Colours as part of a non-toxic, waterbased rogramme for screenprinting that would not only meet the demands of health and safety regulations but also offers a high standard of reproduction and an ease of use.

Composition

Clear, concentrated gel of water and propanediol with acrylic copolymer

Properties

Lascaux Screenprinting Paste was designed to be used in conjunction with Lascaux Acrylic Colours as part of a nontoxic, waterbased programme for screenprinting that would not only meet the demands of health and safety regulations but also offers a high standard of reproduction and an ease of use. Furthermore, all the qualities of the existing Lascaux colour ranges can be exploited: a
wide range of colours, intensity of hues, colour permanence etc. The additional range of mediums and varnishes, further lends surprising versatility to the system.

Directions

The Screenprinting Paste is added to the Lascaux Colours (Lascaux Studio, Lascaux Perlacryl, Lascaux Aquacryl, Lascaux Sirius, Lascaux Resonance, Lascaux Gouache or Lascaux Decora) to give them the desired consistency for screenprinting and to prevent them from drying on the screen. Due to the thixotropic nature of the paste, paint mixtures do not run or drip from the squeegee.
Once pulled, the colours pass through the mesh and rejoin to deposit an even paint film that is capable of extremely fine detail.

Mix the colours undiluted to obtain the desired hue and then add the Lascaux Screenprinting Paste. It is advisable to experiment initially, to determine satisfactory working mixes. The amount of paste added will depend on several factors, as for example:

• the colour range being used (i.e. Aquacryl, Sirius, Decora, Gouache should need less paste than the Acrylic ranges)
• Studio conditions (i.e. temperature, humidity etc.)
• the desired working time (drying rates are retarded with more paste)

To find a satisfactory working ratio, it is useful to first print colours using a 50/50 mixture of undiluted colour to paste and to then shift the ratio depending on the results.
To get optimum use from this system it is important to establish the limits at both ends of the mixes; too little of the paste will not give enough "open" time to prevent drying-in the screen, and too much of the paste will leave the mixture underbound. Between the two extremes lies a wide range of options to suite varying needs.

It is important that the paste is added in small amounts and under constant stirring. Only a completely homogenous mixture will print cleanly, otherwise pockets of neat acrylic colour will block the mesh. Lascaux Mediums may also be added to achieve various effects and finishes.

Paper requirements may vary and it is recommended to experiment with different types and weights. Screen Meshes of Polyester are most suitable. Lascaux Colours are cleaned from the screens with water; for thorough cleaning a jetblaster is recommended. Stencils and cleaning materials must be compatible with a waterbased system.

Lascaux Water-Based Screenprinting

The water-based screenprinting method and the acrylic-resist etching system are the modern options – safer, healthier and more environmentally friendly, as well as quick to learn and accessible to all.

For an information sheet on Lascaux Water-based Screen Printing click here to download the PDF file.