What Emulsion Is Used for Screen Printing?

What Emulsion Is Used for Screen Printing?

If you’ve ever wondered how designs get perfectly transferred onto a screen for printing — it all starts with emulsion. At Mint Prints, emulsion is one of the most critical steps in delivering high-quality, durable prints.

So, what is it? Why does it matter? And which type should you use?

Let’s break it down. 

What Is Emulsion in Screen Printing?

Emulsion is a light-sensitive liquid coating that’s applied to the mesh of a screen. Once it dries, we place your artwork (a film positive) on top and expose it to UV light. The light hardens the emulsion around your design, while the blocked areas (your design itself) remain soft and are rinsed out — creating a stencil.

That stencil is what allows us to push ink through only the parts of the screen we want printed.

Our Most Used Brand... 

At Mint Prints, one of the professional emulsions we trust is SAATI, a globally respected name in screen printing chemistry. Known for its precision and consistency, SAATI emulsions — like SAATI Textil PV or SAATIGrafic PHU — offer excellent resolution, fast exposure times, and outstanding reclaimability. Whether we're working with plastisol or water-based inks, SAATI’s dual-cure and photopolymer emulsions allow us to hold fine details even on high mesh counts. It’s our go-to when jobs demand top-tier quality, especially for intricate artwork or high-volume production. 

Types of Emulsion Used in Screen Printing

At Mint Prints, we use different types of emulsion depending on the project’s complexity, ink type, and turnaround time. Here are the most common emulsions:

1. Diazo Emulsion

  • Ideal for: Beginners and basic prints

  • Pros: Affordable, durable

  • Cons: Longer exposure time, limited detail

  • Note: Has a green or blue tint and requires mixing before use

2. Photopolymer (SBQ) Emulsion

  • Ideal for: High-volume and fast turnaround

  • Pros: Pre-sensitized, fast exposure time, great for fine detail

  • Cons: More sensitive to light, shorter shelf life once opened

3. Dual-Cure Emulsion

  • Ideal for: Shops that print with both water-based and plastisol inks

  • Pros: High resolution, durable, versatile

  • Cons: Requires mixing and careful handling 

How We Choose Emulsion at Mint Prints

Every job is different. If we’re printing fine lines or halftones on a high mesh count screen, we’ll go with a photopolymer or dual-cure for sharper detail. For basic bulk prints, diazo might be more appropriate.

We also consider:

  • Ink type (Plastisol vs. Water-Based)

  • Mesh count of the screen

  • Turnaround time and artwork complexity

The right emulsion leads to sharper prints, fewer pinholes, and better ink control — which all lead to a better product for your brand.



YouTube Video We've Created Explaining the Process of Apply Emulsion Onto a Screen: 

https://m.youtube.com/shorts/d9SlHJCTA50 

 

Want to Learn More About the Process?

We love educating our clients. Whether you're just curious or looking to launch your own brand, we walk you through the details — because every print starts with a great setup.

At Mint Prints, we don’t just print. We craft.
Let’s build something bold → mintprints.com

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