I was inspired to write this post about my new build by a pretty awesome print community; this is the first time I've tried to document something like this so hopefully it makes sense!
I've tried and failed so many times to make a space-saving yet effective print setup in my apartment. After a lot of trial and error (and a lot of internet help) I was able to develop this:
It all started with this game changer, with the Canon Pixma iX6820 I'm able to print transparent films at 13 by 19 inches at a sharp true black. Once this worked I was determined to get the rest of the studio running.
Because I live in a small-ish apartment in a big city I wanted to build a light box setup that was easily torn down and stored. I built this accordion style base and mounted 8 2' UV LED Blacklight strips in 3.25 inch spacers on an ikea tabletop I had laying around. It's light weight and I can set this on top of my accordion base and my box is built. I likewise slide in a piece of black foam core to stop any reflections that might be caused by the hardwood floor.
I'm able to store all 8 23" x 31" screens in my closet and use a photo safe bulb in a bedside lamp to use my bedroom as a dark room. 1 bedroom apartment, what can you do? Instead of using glass to keep my films flat I use vacuum sealed space saver bags and slide the screen underneath my lights to expose my screens. I'm currently working with 10-15 second burn times. I get an easy showerhead blowout and so far some amazing detail as pictured in the heart below.
10 second exposure time with a great stencil and some awesome detail!
Once I blow out the screen with my shower-head (no high pressure needed on the stencil blowout) I let it dry in the tub. Next I slide it into these hinge clamps, throw on the days print pumping music and get to work! No tight registration tools on the table for my last run but I use reg pins for particularly tight prints. I hook a pressure washer into a two way valve off my shower head to batch reclaim screens when they're all used up!
That's the long and short of it. I couldn't be happier with the setup, for personal work at home this was incredibly cost effective, I had most of the stuff laying around my apartment!