Using a dip tank to reclaim screens

A regular question we get asked at Screen Print World is “Should I use a dip tank to reclaim screens?” The answer is most definitely a yes.

Why, you ask…?

There are many reasons as to why you should use a dip tank;

More cost effective, less wastage

Using a dip tank will mean that the solution is utilised to its maximum. The solution can be used over a long period of time in the tank instead of being rinsed down the drain each time a screen is reclaimed. This saves a significant amount in chemical cost. When your screens dip in the tank, you are allowing the solution to do the work for you, instead of an employee. Create a cycle process by getting employees to rinse out a screen while the next set of screens soak in the dip tanks, and repeat. This saves you a significant amount of labour and could cut your screen reclaiming costs in half and double your production .

Better control of the process

Within any screen-printing business, chemical usage should be measured and controlled. Without a dip tank, those employees reclaiming the screens would not consider the amount of chemical wastage. Liquids are applied to each screen individually with some screens and employees using more, while other screens use less chemicals yet require more washing time. Employees do not control the amount of screen chemicals used from screen to screen, but with dip tanks you can certainly control and measure the amount of chemicals used.

Simplicity

With a dip tank, you simply place your screen in the tank for 1-3 minutes to soften the ink and emulsion from the mesh enough to be sprayed with a pressure washer and liquefied enough to go down the drain safely. Simplifying the screen reclaiming procedure will make it easier to train staff and a lot less complicated job when compared to doing every step manually.

Time saving, Greater productivity

Although you can clean screens of any size, at anytime and anywhere when cleaning manually. It will take up a lot of your time and effort to do so. Using dip tanks will allow you to clean multiple screens at once. Most dip tank systems combines ink removal, emulsion removal & mesh degreasing. Combining these three steps can increase your screen through-put. In one hour you could clean and reclaim up to 30 or more screens with one person .

So why wouldn’t you move to using a dip tank I ask?

Its quicker, cheaper , safer , uses less chemicals and gives you more production ….as we say in the trade it’s a win win!