TM 43-0139
6-16. SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS
a.
Preparatory Work.
(1)
Thumbtack the original sketch or layout sheet to either a drawing board or worktable. A drawing board will
be found to have many advantages over a worktable as the operator can turn it at will and sit in a more comfortable
position during the cutting operation.
(2)
With pencil or pen draw a "cross" in each of the four corners of the original sketch to help in replacing the
film in the exact location each time cutting is interrupted.
(3)
Cut a piece of film for each of the colors found in the sketch, making each a little larger than the sketch.
(4)
With adhesive tape, fasten the film over the original sketch with the film side up and the translucent paper
side down, in contact with the sketch. Use enough tape so that the film is firmly held in place and will not shift. Using a
pen, trace the "cross" appearing in each of the four corners of the sketch onto the film. The film is now ready for cutting.
b.
Film Cutting.
(1)
This specially prepared film is laminated to a sheet of translucent paper (the paper acts only as a temporary
carrier of the film until such time as the transfer to the silk is made). The proper method is to cut only through the film and
not through the backing paper.
(2)
The order in which the colors are to be processed must be determined before any cutting occurs and may
not thereafter be changed. The general practice is to process the lightest color first and the darkest color last. The
makeup of the sketch occasionally requires a change from this procedure.
(3)
The cutting operation must be performed in a manner to allow the first color applied to extend under the
edge of the succeeding colors. In a tracing manner, using a sharp stencil knife, cut through the film to the backing paper,
but not through the backing paper (an hour or so of practice in cutting should be sufficient to become used to this
procedure). When the cutting has been completed, strip out the film representing the portion of the design to be applied in
the first color. When finished, remove this cut film sheet from the sketch and place carefully to one side. Repeat this
operation for each remaining color. Particular attention must be given to the accuracy of the cutting which follows along
the lines in the original sketch, as these must interface and mate with the masks of the other colors in the reproduction.
To prevent blurring of corners the cuts should extend just past the intersections.
c.
Attaching the Film to the Screen.
(1)
In all the larger open spaces from which the film has been stripped, cut a slit through the backing paper.
The purpose of this is to allow air to escape during the adhering operation.
(2)
Place the silk screen frame in the hinges on the printing table. Secure the layout sheet to the table and
apply registration strips of the same thickness as the material that is to be imprinted. These strips should fit closely with
the aforementioned material. Bring down the screen so that the silk is in contact with the imprintable material and make
certain that the contact is good. If the contact is poor, build up the surface by using a piece of paper, or other material,
under the layout sheet. Replace the film for the first color, taking care to align the registration marks with those on the
layout sheet, and fasten the layout sheet with adhesive tape.
(3)
Examine the stencil to make sure that no small pieces of film have been left in the cut portions.
(4)
Obtain two pieces of soft cotton cloth, one large and one small. Do not use cheesecloth or similar cloths as
difficulty will be encountered in judging the amount of liquid applied. Roll up the large pieces in a loose ball and wet the
small piece with the adhering liquid. With the silkscreen frame resting on the first color film, dampen (do not soak) a small
portion of the screen by taking a single stroke and dry it immediately with the dry
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