How to Set Up a Nontoxic Print Shop for Silk-Screening
- 1). Use water-soluble rather than oil-based inks. This is the single most effective step you can take to detoxify your shop - everything else is built on this.
- 2). Stock the shop with long pants and long-sleeved shirts (or coveralls) and latex or rubber gloves. Water-based inks are much safer than oil, but they're still not good for your skin.
- 3). Keep the shop cool to prevent the inks from evaporating (this also keeps the prints from drying as quickly).
- 4). Create a ventilation system that pulls air out of the shop - this will create a vacuum effect that draws fresh air in. Even a window fan can do this.
- 5). Buy a pressure washer, and buy or build a spray booth in which to clean your silk screens. This lets you spray, rather than scrub, the screens and minimizes contact with the ink.
- 6). Stock up on goggles to wear when spraying your screens.
- 7). Wash silk screens promptly after printing using Mr. Clean or a solution of 3 parts household bleach to 1 part water: the longer the screens dry, the harder they will be to wash out and the more likely you'll need to use a stronger, more toxic product such as A6 Screenwash.
