Episode 1864 - Why You

Cannot Depend on the

Step Test
A step test for correct exposure is never going to
work in the way that you think it will.

Screenprinters Radio began Transcript of Episode No. 1864, October 15, 2018
broadcasting in February 1983 as a
service of Bill Hood Consulting. The
BBC journalist Ben Hammersley By Bill Hood, BillHoodConsulting.com
coined the term Podcast in February
2004, and we decided to keep the Hello, I am Bill Hood, and you are listening to
name rather than confuse (or lose)
the thousands of subscribers who had
Screenprinters Radio, an educational series of
grown used to the title. programs for screenprinters. You will find programs
Initially, we were broadcasting
covering the basic to advanced techniques for
from the Austin Arts Bulletin Board improving the efficiency, effectiveness, and economy
System (BBS). We supplied news to
of your screenprinting operations.
the screenprinting and arts
community not only in Austin, Texas
where it was based but to the world.
Our goal is to allow you to find solutions to the
The BBS was the first to market to a many variables present in the screenprinting
specific industry - screenprinting. It
technologies. We have been broadcasting to the
was also the first BBS to produce
audio for its visitors, broadcasting screenprinting community worldwide since February
news about screenprinting and music 1983 to help bring control to the screenprinting
in a pre-recorded method in what
was the precursor to Internet Radio.
process.

Eventually, the station was moved Welcome to Episode 1864, Why You Cannot
to the Internet when online
Depend on the Step Test.
broadcasting became more
commonplace.
A discussion about how the step test or a film-type
Visit our website at exposure calculator for correct exposure is never
screenprintersradio.com online.
going to work in the way that you think it will.

Get a cup of coffee, pull up a chair and enjoy the

show.

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 Today, I want to speak to you about using a step
test for determining exposure time. A step test for
correct exposure is never going to work in the way
that you think it will.

The test is done with one screen, with its own

mesh count, thread diameter, unique tension level,
emulsion thickness and more. The next stencil will
never match the stencil you did the test on. And, of
course the exposure time will be different on every
stencil.

The only sure-fire way to guarantee exposure is to

eliminate the variables. Fine tuning the mesh, tension,
coating technique and knowing the correct exposure
for every stencil before you load the screen into the
exposure unit is a simple 3-part process.

Step 1: The first step is to create a list of every

mesh count and thread diameter combination that
you use in your shop and you tension mesh to
maintain the same tension level. Then you know the
amount of emulsion that will fill the mesh openings
on a particular mesh count and then you have
eliminated those variables.

Step 2: When coating mesh, you need to do a base

coat and let it dry. Measure the stencil thickness with
a calibrated thickness gauge and determine how many
face coats it needs to meet the emulsion over mesh
ratio. Build the exact stencil thickness for that
particular mesh every time. Then another variable will
be eliminated.

Step 3: To borrow a phrase from my fellow

Academy Member, Richard Greaves, it is a lot like
cooking pancakes. The thicker the emulsion the more
time will be needed in the exposure to completely

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cross-harden the emulsion. Using the basic exposure
time from a previous stencil that you measured, if the
new stencil is 90% of the stencil, then you simply
reduce the exposure by 10%. By measuring the stencil
thickness, you automatically know the correct
exposure. Then you will have perfect exposures every
time.

Fine tuning the process will guarantee your

success as a screenmaker. Excellence comes from
doing the right things every time.

This concludes today’s podcast. Thanks for

listening. Please feel free to contact me on my website
at BillHoodConsulting.com for more information on
how you can improve your production, increase your
revenue and improve your operation. We can help you
to become more efficient, effective and economically
viable.

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Thank you, I am Bill Hood. May all your

impressions be great.

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