Lascaux screenprinting paste

Directions
The Screenprinting Paste is added to the paint to give them the desired consistency for screenprinting and to prevent them from drying on the screen. Due to the thixotropic nature of the paste, paint mixtures do not run or drip from the squeegee. Once pulled, the colours pass through the mesh and rejoin to deposit an even paint film that is capable of extremely fine detail.
 
Mix the colours undiluted to obtain the desired hue and then add the Screenprinting Paste. It is advisable to experiment initially, to determine satisfactory working mixes. The amount of paste added will depend on several factors, as for example:
• the colour range being used (i.e. Gouache should need less paste than the Acrylic paint)
• Studio conditions (i.e. temperature, humidity etc.)
• the desired working time (drying rates are retarded with more paste)
 
To find a satisfactory working ratio, it is useful to first print colours using a 50/50 mixture of undiluted colour to paste and to then shift the ratio depending on the results.
To get optimum use from this system it is important to establish the limits at both ends of the mixes; too little of the paste will not give enough "open" time to prevent drying-in the screen, and too much of the paste will leave the mixture underbound. Between the two extremes lies a wide range of options to suite varying needs.
 
It is important that the paste is added in small amounts and under constant stirring. Only a completely homogenous mixture will print cleanly, otherwise pockets of neat acrylic colour will block the mesh.
 
Paper requirements may vary and it is recommended to experiment with different types and weights.
Screen Meshes of Polyester are most suitable. Lascaux Colours are cleaned from the screens with water; for thorough cleaning a jetblaster is recommended. Stencils and cleaning materials must be compatible with a waterbased system.