Provo Craft Yudu - User Manual

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www.whatdoYudu.com
model yudu
USER MANUAL
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MANUEL D’UTILISATEUR
MANUAL DEL USUARIO
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BENUTZER HANDBUCH

Summary

Introduction and Unpacking

Introduction to Yudu System

The Yudu screen-printing system is presented as an easy and clean way to express oneself.

Unpack Your Box Contents

Lists the items included in the Yudu machine box, such as the machine, platen, screen, ink, and accessories.

Preparation and Setup

Other Useful Items for Screen-Printing

Lists additional items that may be useful during the screen-printing process.

Yudu Machine Components

Identifies and labels the key parts of the Yudu machine, including the lid, light table, and display.

Safety, Warnings, and Storage

General Safety Precautions

Details critical safety instructions regarding electrical hazards, burns, fire, and proper usage.

Storage Guidelines

Provides instructions on how to properly disconnect and store the appliance when not in use.

Ink Compatibility and Testing

Ink Usage Caution

Warns against using generic or non-Yudu inks, which can permanently damage screens.

Ink Testing Results

Compares results from using Yudu inks versus textile inks, fabric paint, and fashion paint.

Designing and Screen Preparation

Recommended and Alternative Materials

Recommends textile fabrics for Yudu inks and suggests other materials like wood and paper.

Create Design on Computer

Explains how to create designs on a computer, separating colors into layers for printing.

Screen Preparation Steps

Prepare the Screen

Instructions to ensure the screen is clean and free of dust, lint, and oil before proceeding.

Apply Emulsion to Screen

Details on how to remove and apply the emulsion sheet to the wet screen in a dimly lit area.

Exposure and Washing

Run Squeegee and Dry Screen

Instructions for running a squeegee over emulsion and placing the screen in the drying rack.

Single Colored Designs

Guidance on adhering transparencies for single-color designs to the Yudu machine glass.

Multicolored Designs Setup

Steps for setting up registration panels and multiple design layers for multicolored prints.

Exposure, Washing, and Printing

Exposing the Screen

Steps for exposing the screen with a platen, weight, and timer, including a warning for cooling.

Wash and Dry Screen

Instructions on washing the screen with cool water, removing emulsion, and drying it.

Printing and Heat Setting

Print Screen Process

Guide to inserting the screen, preparing the platen, and applying ink for printing.

Flood Screen with Ink

Details on how to flood the screen with ink using a squeegee for even coverage.

Printing Techniques and Heat Setting

Squeegee Technique

Explains how to use the squeegee with firm, downward pressure for effective ink transfer.

Heat Set Ink for Apparel

Instructions on heat setting ink for apparel using an iron, with specific warnings.

Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Cleanup Procedures

Steps for cleaning the screen, squeegee, and machine after use, with emphasis on not letting ink dry.

Removing Emulsion from Screen

Guide on applying emulsion remover and rinsing the screen to prepare it for recoating.

Light Table Maintenance

Information on when and how to replace the light table bulbs.

Glossary of Terms

Glossary Definitions

Provides definitions for key terms used in the screen-printing manual, such as emulsion, platen, and squeegee.

Support Information

Contact Support

Provides contact details including operating hours, email address, and phone numbers for support.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Maintenance Features

The Yudu™ screen-printing system is an innovative and user-friendly device designed to simplify the screen-printing process, making it accessible for creating custom designs on various materials. It allows users to produce apparel, home décor, art prints, posters, cards, and more with ease and precision. The system is particularly noted for its clean operation, utilizing water-based inks that are easy to clean up and designed for use with textile fabrics like cotton and poly/cotton blends.

Function Description

The Yudu machine integrates several key functions essential for screen printing:

• Design Creation and Preparation: Users can create designs on a computer, separating colors into different layers for multicolored prints. Designs are then printed in black onto Yudu blank transparencies. The machine's light table aids in the precise alignment of multiple design layers using registration panels and posts, ensuring accurate registration for complex designs.
• Screen Emulsification and Drying: The system facilitates the application of a light-sensitive emulsion sheet to the screen. After application, the screen is placed in the machine's drying rack, where a fan initiates a drying cycle. This process prepares the screen for exposure, creating a photographic-type film that will form the stencil for printing.
• Screen Exposure: The Yudu machine features an exposure unit where the emulsified screen, with the transparency adhered, is exposed to light. This process hardens the emulsion in areas not covered by the design, while the design areas remain soft. An added weight on the platen ensures proper exposure. The machine includes a timer for setting exposure duration and an exposure button to initiate the process.
• Screen Washing and Drying: After exposure, the screen is washed with cool water to remove the unhardened emulsion from the design areas, revealing the stencil. The machine then offers a fan-assisted drying cycle to prepare the screen for printing.
• Printing: The device supports the mounting of various materials, such as t-shirts, onto a platen. Ink is applied to the screen, and a squeegee is used to pull the ink across the design, forcing it through the stencil onto the material below. The platen's adhesive sheet helps secure the material, preventing shifting during printing.
• Heat Setting: For apparel items, the system guides users through a heat-setting process using an iron, which cures the ink and ensures its durability on the fabric.

Usage Features

The Yudu machine is designed with several features to enhance the user experience:

• Intuitive Controls: The machine includes a display with "Add Time" and "Subtract Time" buttons for precise control over exposure and drying cycles. A dedicated fan button and expose button simplify operation.
• Registration System: For multicolored designs, the machine incorporates registration posts and panels, allowing users to accurately align multiple design layers. This is crucial for achieving professional-looking prints with multiple colors.
• Light Table: A built-in light table assists in the precise placement and alignment of design transparencies and registration panels, especially for complex, multi-layered designs.
• Drying Rack: The integrated drying rack with a fan ensures efficient and consistent drying of emulsified screens, a critical step in preparing the screen for exposure.
• Platen Adhesive Sheets: The platen comes with adhesive sheets to securely hold materials during printing, preventing movement and ensuring crisp prints. These sheets are replaceable when their stickiness diminishes.
• Ink Management: The system is optimized for Yudu water-based inks, which are designed for easy cleanup and allow for ink salvage. Tips are provided for preventing ink from drying on the screen during use and for reusing excess ink.
• Troubleshooting Tips: The manual provides practical tips throughout the process, such as how to identify the dull side of the transparency, how to check for dry areas on the emulsion, and how to accelerate drying with a hair dryer.

Maintenance Features

Maintaining the Yudu machine and its components is straightforward, ensuring longevity and consistent performance:

• Screen Cleaning: After printing, screens should be thoroughly rinsed with water to remove excess ink. It is crucial not to allow ink to dry on the screen, as this can damage it. For dried ink, hot water and an abrasive scrubbing pad may be used.
• Emulsion Removal: Yudu Emulsion Remover (sold separately) is used to strip the emulsion from the screen, preparing it for reuse. The process involves applying the remover, waiting, and then rinsing with water, potentially using a sponge for stubborn residue.
• Machine Cleaning: The machine can be wiped down with a soft, damp cloth. The lid is removable for washing in a sink if necessary.
• Platen Maintenance: The protective sheet on the platen should be replaced when not in use to protect it from lint and dust. The adhesive sheet itself should be replaced when it loses its stickiness.
• Bulb Replacement: The light table's T8 bulbs will eventually dim or flicker, indicating a need for replacement. The manual provides clear instructions for safely unplugging the machine, removing the plastic bar and glass, and replacing the four 18" 15-watt T8 bulbs. It is recommended to replace all four bulbs at once for even exposure.
• Cord Care: Users are advised to never pull, twist, or wrap the power cord around the machine, and to inspect it frequently for damage. Proper storage involves allowing the cord to hang loose and straight.
• Ink Compatibility: The manual emphasizes using only Yudu inks to prevent permanent damage to the screens, highlighting the importance of using compatible materials for optimal results and device longevity.

Provo Craft Yudu Specifications

General

Brand	Provo Craft
Model	Yudu
Printing Method	Screen Printing
Type	Screen Printing Machine
Ink Compatibility	Yudu Inks
Power Requirements	120V, 60Hz