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| Basic one color diy screen press |
This is my one color screen press.
There are many examples of how to build something similar on youtube.
The only noteworthy part of this setup is the platen in use.
Keeping the platen in place while
printing is rather important. This is occasionally overlooked on one
color machines like this one since mostly you will only make one
printing pass. In this case I am printing with a discharge ink. For
this I will need to alternate printing passes with forced air heating
a few times. If the platen moves at any point between these passes
the print will be distorted.
The common methods employed to keep a
diy platen from moving typically involve using a set screws or lining
the inner platen rails with a grippy fabric (which will allow it to
move but only with deliberate application of force).
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| Underside of the quick release platen |
Neither of these appealed to me so I
built this quick release platen. The basic platen shape has two rails
attached on the underside. The one in the left of the photo is
attached with a door hings which allows it to move. The right side is
fixed (with 9 pocket screws). Connecting the two rails is a quick
release skewer. This one came from the junk pile at a bike shop (it
was formally part of a ruined hub assembly).
The skewer is placed low enough to
clear the arm of the printing press. With the lever (on the right) in
the open position the nut (on the left) is tightened just shy of
causing the hinged rail to touch the printing arm. In this
configuration the platen easily moves up and down the arm. When
located in the correct position the lever is closed and the platen is
securely held in place by the skewer squeezing the printing arm. This
prevents the platen from moving up off of the printing arm as well as
from moving up or down the arm.
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| The (out of focus) lever can be rotated if it is in the way |
