Capillary film is emulsion that is adhered to a clear plastic film in the form of a roll or a sheet. The film is applied directly to wet mesh. The capillary action (hence the name) causes the emulsion to stick to the mesh. When the frame is ready for use, the plastic film is peeled off, leaving the emulsion intact and ready to expose. The benefit of using capillary film is no nasty emulsion mess to clean up! It does tend to be more expensive though and must be ordered in bulk rolls or sheets.
Capillary film needs lots of water to stick to the screen. Insufficient water leaves air bubbles trapped between the mesh and capillary film that look like white spots. Using a spray bottle filled with water you can dampen the print side of the screen mesh.
This tutorial will go through the step by step process of applying capillary film to your screens. One thing to note – capillary film tends to break down faster when using water-based inks. It should be good for up to a run of 50 prints using a water-based ink system. I use a brand of capillary film called Magna/Cure manufactured by Chromaline.
Step 1 – Open the tube of capillary film in a light safe room.
Step 2 – Measure out the length of film you need for your screen and cut it with a pair of scissors.
Step 3 – After you have degreased your screen, wet it thoroughly. You can also use a spray bottle filled with water. They also selling wetting agents (chemicals) that keep your screen wet and enhance adhesion.
Step 4 - Roll the dull-side of the sheet onto the wet screen’s print side (opposite the squeegee side). You’ll notice the emulsion sticks instantly.
Step 5 – Once the sheet has been spread onto the screen, you may notice some white spots or bubbles. You can use a window washer type squeegee to gently smooth out the sheet. Also, use a spray bottle filled with water on the ink/squeegee side of the screen if there are any dry spots that still need to stick to the mesh. Once the capillary film has been applied to the screen, lay it horizontally in a completely dark room and let it dry for an hour. Use a fan to speed up this process.
Step 6 – Once the screen has dried completely, simply peel the plastic backing when you are ready to expose.
