Screen printing artwork?

Screen Printing business: What supplies are a must?

• I am a junior in High school, and I've taken Intros to Screen Printing. I'm getting emancipated, and would like to start a screen printing business to have some income. I am aware that the equipment is very expensive, but I already have a good deal on a good Press. I basically need to know if there's ways I can get around buying a UV exposure unit, and a Dryer. I know that there's a chemical you can use to paint onto the screen before applying the emulsion that will wash off the stencil without using a UV unit. But I don't know what the chemical is?? Can you please list everything (Chemicals, equipment) that I absolutely MUST HAVE in order for this to work? Also, if you have tips for how to clean screens, have different printing techniques, or if you know good places to buy cheap equipment, PLEASE list them! Thank you! :)

• Answer:

  Equipment: Scoop Coater for coating screens Drying rack for drying / storing pre-exposed screens Exposure unit Wash-out sink Pressure washer Storage for exposed screens Printing Press - size & type depends on type of work you'll do Flash cure unit Conveyor dryer Squeegees, 50-80 durometer, lengths sufficient for your needs. "Goop Scoops" for dishing out inks Supplies: Cloth rags Blue paper towels PVC low-adhesive tape ("screen tape") Scrub pads - keep them separated by use so that you never use one for degreasing or cleaning that you used for reclaiming or dehazing. Trash bags