Consumables · Screen chemicals
Screen Printing Chemicals
A complete range for every stage of the screen-making workflow — degreasers and mesh prep, stencil blockout, hardeners, press-side cleaners, dehazers, reclaiming chemicals and frame adhesives. Trusted KIWO and Ulano chemistry, backed by local supply and technical support across Australia and New Zealand.
The screen-making process
Screen printing chemicals each belong to a stage of one repeating cycle. Follow it from left to right — click any step to jump to the chemicals for that job. Master the cycle and the whole range makes sense.
Prepare the mesh
Degrease and roughen the mesh so the stencil grips evenly.
Coat & expose
Apply emulsion, expose the artwork and wash out the stencil.
Block & correct
Seal pinholes and block open areas outside the design.
Harden (optional)
Strengthen the stencil for long or aggressive runs.
Print & clean press-side
Between colours and jobs, clean ink from the screen on-press.
Reclaim
Strip the old stencil so the mesh can be reused.
Dehaze
Remove ghost images and residue before the next stencil.
New to this, or setting up a screen room?
Tell us what you print and we will put together a complete chemical set for your workflow — the essentials to prepare, print, clean and reclaim, with nothing you do not need.
Explore the range by job
Eight categories, ordered the way you would actually use them. Each opens with what the chemical does and when you need it, so you can buy with confidence even if the names are unfamiliar.
Step 1 · Before coating
Degreasers & Mesh Prep
Clean, grippy mesh is the foundation of every good stencil.
What it does
New and used mesh carries oils, dust and fingerprints that stop emulsion adhering evenly. Degreasers strip that contamination; mesh-prep and roughening products give the surface a microscopic "key" so the stencil bonds tightly and holds fine detail.
When you need it
Use every time before you coat a screen. Skipping this is the single most common cause of premature stencil breakdown and pinholes.
KIWO Degreaser 1:20 Concentrate
An economical, high-foaming degreaser that removes oils, dust and contaminants from mesh, supporting proper stencil adhesion and consistent results.
- Biodegradable, chlorine and phosphate-free
- High dilution efficiency (1:20)
- Ideal for manual and automated cleaning
Available sizes1 Quart, 1 Gallon
Ulano #23 Ulanogel
A dual-action abrasive gel that improves mesh wetting and stencil adhesion while removing dirt and residue. Ideal for preparing screens for longer press runs.
- Combines roughening and degreasing in one step
- Suitable for vertical screen application
- Rinses easily with hot or cold water
Available sizes1 Quart, 1 Gallon
Ulano #25 All Mesh Prep
A ready-to-use liquid mordant that enhances mesh water retention and ensures uniform stencil adhesion, especially on fine mesh applications.
- Supports consistent stencil coating
- Non-caustic and safe for frames and adhesives
- Easy rinse-off formula
Available sizes1 Quart, 1 Gallon
Step 3 · After wash-out
Stencil Blockout & Image Correction
Seal the gaps so ink only goes where your design is.
What it does
Once a stencil is washed out, tiny pinholes and open mesh around the image will let ink through where you do not want it. Blockout (also called screen filler) is painted on to seal those areas and sharpen the printable edge.
When you need it
Use after exposing and washing out, before printing — for pinhole repair, sealing the gap between stencil and frame, and blocking any open mesh outside the design.
KIWO Blockout (Blue)
High-viscosity blockout for precise coverage and stencil correction. Ideal for sealing pinholes and blocking unwanted areas before printing.
- VOC-free, solvent-free formulation
- Strong coverage and easy application
- Suitable for detailed correction work
Available sizes1 Gallon
KIWO Blockout (Red)
A cost-effective blockout for large-area coverage and general stencil correction. Designed for fast, efficient application.
- Water-soluble and solvent-resistant
- Ideal for bulk screen preparation
- Environmentally friendly formulation
Available sizes1 Gallon
Ulano Screen Filler #65 Blue
A non-flammable, water-soluble blockout for fine to medium mesh counts. Suitable for both full coverage and touch-up applications.
- Can be used full strength or diluted
- Compatible with most stencil systems
- Safe for use in unventilated environments
Available sizes1 Quart, 1 Gallon
Optional · Before printing
Stencil Hardeners
Make a stencil tougher and more water-resistant for demanding runs.
What it does
A hardener chemically toughens the exposed emulsion so it resists abrasion, aggressive inks and water. The trade-off is reclaimability: some hardeners bond permanently and make the stencil very difficult to strip afterwards.
When you need it
Use for very long production runs, water-based and discharge inks, or any job where stencil durability matters more than reclaiming the mesh. Choose a "permanent" or "reclaimable" type depending on your priority.
Ulano Hardener X
A post-processing liquid hardener that improves stencil durability and resistance for high-demand textile printing.
- Enhances stencil strength and longevity
- Suitable for industrial production environments
- Permanent bonding effect on stencil
Available sizes1 Quart, 1 Gallon
KIWO Hardener HP
Increases the water resistance of emulsions while maintaining reclaimability under controlled conditions.
- Improves durability without permanent bonding
- Compatible with KIWO emulsions
- Suitable for high-volume workflows
Available sizes1 Quart, 1 Gallon
KIWO Hardener K
A high-performance hardener that chemically strengthens emulsions for maximum resistance in demanding print environments.
- Increases stencil life and resistance
- May result in permanent stencil bonding
- Ideal for long production runs
Available sizes1 Quart, 1 Gallon
Step 5 · On the press
Press-Side Cleaning
Fast ink clean-down between colours and jobs, without leaving the press.
What it does
On-press cleaners are fast-evaporating solvents used at the press to remove ink during colour changes or short stoppages, without breaking down the stencil. They keep the screen usable so you can carry on printing.
When you need it
Use between colours, during ink changes, and for quick clean-ups mid-run. Different from reclaiming chemicals, which strip the whole stencil at the end of a job.
KIWO On-Press Cleaner
A fast-evaporating cleaner designed for efficient on-press screen cleaning.
- Leaves no oily residue
- Supports immediate tape application
- Ideal for production environments
Available sizes1 Quart, 1 Gallon
Universal Screen Wash
A fast-evaporating solvent designed for on-press cleaning and ink changes.
- Quick drying with minimal odour
- Effective across multiple ink types
- Reduces downtime between jobs
Step 6 · End of job
Screen Reclaiming Chemicals
Dissolve the old stencil so the mesh can be coated fresh.
What it does
Reclaimers (stencil removers) break down the hardened emulsion or capillary film so it rinses cleanly out of the mesh, returning the screen to bare fabric ready to be degreased and coated again. Available as concentrates, powders and ready-to-use pastes.
When you need it
Use at the end of a job once the ink is cleaned off, to recover the screen for reuse. Follow with a dehaze if a ghost image remains.
KIWO Stencil Remover 1:20 Concentrate
A concentrated stencil remover suitable for all direct emulsions and capillary films. Designed for efficient reclaiming with minimal chemical use.
- High dilution efficiency
- Chlorine and heavy metal-free
- Suitable for manual and automatic systems
Available sizes1L, 4L, 25L
Pregasol EP3 Stencil Remover
A fast-acting, dissolvable powder designed for safe and efficient stencil removal.
- Odourless and non-corrosive
- Mesh-friendly formulation
- Custom dilution flexibility
Available sizes100g, 1kg
Ulano #5 Stencil Remover Paste
A ready-to-use paste for removing emulsions and films from all mesh types.
- Suitable for direct and indirect films
- Effective on metalized polyester mesh
- Fast and thorough removal
Available sizes1 Quart, 1 Gallon
Step 7 · After reclaiming
Haze & Ghost Image Removal
Strip out the "ghost" of the last print so the mesh is truly clean.
What it does
Even after a stencil is reclaimed, a faint stain or "ghost image" of ink and emulsion often stays locked in the mesh. Haze removers (dehazers) and roughening pastes dissolve that residue so it does not interfere with the next stencil or contaminate a new colour.
When you need it
Use after reclaiming, when a shadow of the previous image remains. Regular dehazing extends mesh life and keeps stencil adhesion consistent.
KiwoClean AQ 820
A biodegradable cleaning concentrate designed for removing ink residues and ghost images.
- Suitable for automatic cleaning systems
- Low-foam formulation
- Works with plastisol, solvent and UV inks
Available sizes1L, 5L
PREGAN Paste
Removes stubborn ghost images and residue while improving mesh surface preparation.
- Dual-purpose cleaning and roughening
- Ideal for aluminium frames
- Works with ink wash systems
Available sizes1L, 1 Gallon
Setup · Building screens
Screen Adhesives & Frame Bonding
Bond mesh to frame securely, or fix work in place on the platen.
What it does
Frame adhesives permanently bond stretched mesh to the screen frame — the join that holds tension through printing and washing. Spray adhesives are used on the press platen to hold garments or substrates in position during printing.
When you need it
Frame adhesives when stretching and building screens; spray adhesives at the press to stop the substrate shifting between strokes.
KIWOBOND 1100 PowerGrip
A high-strength two-component adhesive designed for secure mesh-to-frame bonding.
- Excellent solvent resistance
- Fast drying (5–10 minutes)
- Ideal for automated workflows
Available sizes700g
KIWOBOND 930 PowerGrip
A durable adhesive designed for chemically resistant bonding across various frame materials.
- Strong adhesion to metal and wood
- Resistant to inks and cleaning agents
- Flexible, non-brittle finish
Available sizes700g
Anchor Spray
A versatile aerosol adhesive used for temporary or permanent bonding in screen printing applications.
- Easy spray application
- Suitable for multiple substrates
- Ideal for quick setup
Screen chemical questions, answered
The essentials for anyone who is not sure where to start. Still unsure? Our specialists will happily talk it through.
I'm new to screen printing — where do I start?
Follow the workflow at the top of the page. Every screen needs degreasing before coating (Step 1), blockout after wash-out (Step 3), press-side cleaner while printing (Step 5), and a reclaimer to recover the mesh (Step 7). Dehaze and hardeners are as-needed. If you tell us what you print, we'll put together a starter set.
What's the difference between a press-side cleaner and a reclaimer?
A press-side cleaner removes ink from the screen so you can keep printing — it leaves the stencil intact. A reclaimer dissolves the stencil itself so the mesh can be reused. You use the cleaner during a job and the reclaimer at the end of it.
What is a "ghost image" and do I need a dehazer?
After reclaiming, a faint shadow of the previous print can stay locked in the mesh. That's a ghost image. A dehazer (haze remover) strips it out. If your reclaimed screens still show a stain, you need one.
Should I use a stencil hardener?
Only if you need extra durability — long runs, or water-based and discharge inks. Be aware some hardeners bond permanently and make the screen very hard to reclaim, so match the type to whether you want to reuse the mesh.
Are these chemicals safe and environmentally friendly?
Many in the range are biodegradable and free of chlorine, phosphates or heavy metals, and several are low-odour or low-foam for automatic systems. Always check the individual technical data sheet and safety data sheet, and we're happy to advise on the safest option for your setup.
Which products work with automatic cleaning systems?
Several, including the KIWO Stencil Remover concentrate and KiwoClean AQ 820, are formulated as low-foam for automatic and dip-tank systems. Ask us and we'll point you to the right ones for your equipment.
Talk to a screen printing specialist
Whether you are choosing your first degreaser or dialling in an automatic reclaiming line, our team can recommend the right chemistry for your screens, inks and equipment — backed by local supply and technical support across Australia and New Zealand.
Product descriptions, dilution ratios and container sizes are indicative and current as at the time of publishing — contact us for current pricing, availability and lead times. Always read the individual technical data sheet (TDS) and safety data sheet (SDS) before use, and follow the manufacturer's handling, dilution and disposal guidance. Suitability can vary with mesh, emulsion, ink and equipment, so pre-testing is recommended.
Contact Us
