Definition
A photographic emulsion is a light-sensitive, viscous coating applied to a substrate — such as a screen printing mesh — that can be hardened by exposure to UV light after drying. It typically consists of a polymer or gelatin binder combined with a light-sensitive compound that undergoes insoluble cross-linking under UV radiation. Unexposed areas remain water-soluble and are washed out during development, producing a stencil with open and closed areas. The choice of emulsion depends on the printing medium, the substrate, and the required resolution and durability characteristics.
Use in the textile industry
In the textile industry, photographic emulsion is used primarily in screen printing to produce stencils for printing on woven fabrics, T-shirts, and technical textiles. The emulsion is applied evenly to the screen printing mesh, dried, and then exposed through a film positive or a digital exposure unit to transfer the print pattern. For textile printing, water-resistant and solvent-resistant emulsion types are preferred, since the textile colorants and after-treatment processes place high demands on stencil durability.
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