Customer Reviews

Yudu Personal Screen Printer

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

After spending most of my three years of grad school in the screenprinting facilities, I was anxious to create some sort of setup for myself at home once I'd graduated. As a couple of other reviews point out, the YuDu is indeed different from traditional screenprinting - the tools are different but the process is essentially the same with the major difference being the application of the photo-sensitive emulsion. And this is where the YuDu will make or break you. While in the end I'd give the YuDu a rating between 3 and 4 stars, mostly for potential, these have been the challenging areas for me along the steep learning curve:

EMULSION:
Applying the emulsion in sheet form (rather than as a liquid with what's called a scoop-coater, as you would in traditional screenprinting) has been the most challenging part of the learning curve for me (and most others, it seems). But like any tool, it takes time and back-up supplies to learn it so do yourself a favor and have at least 2 sheets of emulsion on hand, a lot of patience, and a first project that is not on a tight deadline. The trick is having the screen wet enough but not too wet (since you're essentially doing something in solid form that's ideally applied as a liquid) and this will take practice.

BUY A 220 MESH SCREEN:
Once you get the hang of emulsion application, you may want to add a 220 mesh screen to your supply inventory since the 110 mesh screen that comes with the machine won't be fine enough to handle most text-based projects or designs with lots of detail. I got the YuDu primarily for client-based work, primarily text-based, and my own art projects, which are more graphic design based with some text. I'm not terribly interested in printing t-shirts, which is what the YuDu is primarily marketed for, so having at least one 220 mesh screen is essential.

GET YOURSELF A REAL SQUEEGEE:
I'm not fond of the tone taken in a few reviews here, most of which are hardly reviews of the product (I doubt those reviewers even have a YuDu) but rather snobby declarations of their preference for "traditional" screenprinting. I will be a snob on one point though and that's the "squeegee" that comes with the machine. Maybe this piece of plastic works well printing on t-shirts but I found it to be really inconsistent with pulling the ink through and getting a consistently printed surface on the paper below. You can find a variety of screenprinting squeegees at your local art store (or try [...] - I got the "graphics" squeegee but a standard squeegee should work just fine and there are squeegees especially made for textile printing). This is one of several details the folks at Provo Craft need to work on to make a good machine with potential really great.

INKS:
Once I finally mastered the art of applying emulsion to the screen and successfully burned my design, I found the YuDu brand inks to be too thick to pass through the finer mesh of my 220 screen. Like my squeegee rant above, this may not be an issue with the 110 screens and printing on textiles, but I found it to be a real problem, only passing through the larger parts of my design despite being able to tell that my image had burned perfectly and the emulsion had rinsed out no problem. So I experimented with a different brand of ink (Versatex which I got at my local Blick art supply store) and sure enough my design printed just fine (having a new squeegee at this point also helped). I had my heart set on a particular YuDu color, however, so I tried adding some extender (again, available with the screenprinting inks or online) and, although this did dilute the color ever so slightly, worked like a charm. I mixed enough ink (about 3-4 parts YuDu ink to 1 part extender but it may vary for you) for my entire print run and stored it in a little plastic container you can get at just about any art or craft supply store (or even a tupperware devoted to your Yudu would work).

If you want to read more, you can check out my even longer, more rambling blog post on the topic: [...]

I hope Provo Craft is reading all of these reviews, and the countless blog posts and video tutorials and taking all of these complaints into consideration. The machine itself is great - it's nice to have something that will fit on my table that's an exposure unit, light table, and printing apparatus all in one. But the accessories could use some work - emulsion sheets are tricky and costly and the squeegee is worthless. I can understand why they don't want to include all these little bits of information in the instructional DVD and pamphlet (they'd turn off a lot of potential customers if they advertised just how tricky this thing is) but a little more information up front would be useful. On the other hand, keep in mind that screenprinting is an art form that some folks spend years perfecting. Like any tool, it's going to take some time and practice to get it right, but I think this thing has a lot of potential, especially for folks like me who don't have the time or resources to create a screenprinting setup from scratch in my nonexistent garage.

Good luck and happy printing!

I have been wanting a thermofax machine for a long time now and when the YUDU came out I thought it would work similar to the thermofax for far less money. I have never screenprinted a thing in my life and have been researching how to do it and what to buy for a while now.

Here are the things I like and dislike about the machine:

PROS:

I like the exposure unit since this seems to be the issue with traditional screenprinting.

I like not having to deal with chemicals - the exposure sheets are easy to use.

After botching the first screen, the second was a breeze - the screen came out great and made a bunch of pulls experimenting with inks and paints. All of the images came out great!

CONS:

* I think it's really pricey for what it is, but I used a circular flyer coupon and saved a lot on my unit.

* The first go-round I didn't have the screen wet enough and consequently my result was a wasted emulsion. I blame this on...

* The DVD it comes with is just TERRIBLE. It's really annoying, not serious and did not help at all. I could not get past the fact that they were in a garage in one part with FLIES flying around them!

* It does not come with the emulsion remover so make sure and buy it or if you ruin your first try you can't wash it off to try again. There is nothing worse than having to wait when you want to play!

* The unit is HUGE - it has a 17" X 26-1/2" footprint.

They recommend that you use their inks but I used my fabric paints I had on hand and they worked just fine.

Overall it was pretty easy to use (after I ruined the first one to figure it out) even for a novice like me! I wish they would redo their DVD and show up close how things are supposed to look - assume no one has ever screen printed before. I would say that I am happy I have a fairly mess free way to screenprint that is easy and quick! It's definitely more affordable than a thermofax setup. I will also layout more images on my transparency to burn onto my screen rather than waste all that emulsion space.

I am going to experiment with using the machine as an exposure unit for my own screens - I will have to follow up with how well that works. I want the freedom to make smaller screens and save them for future use and I think it can be done with this machine (without having to use the YUDU screens). We'll see!
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After playing with it for the weekend I wound up returning it. I think it's great if you want to do LARGE area graphics without fine details. I tried to burn some screens with finer details to no avail. It jut couldn't pick them up. So, I think it depends on what you want to use it for, and since they are leaning toward t-shirts with big chunky graphics it's fine. Skip it if you want to use it for fine printing, like small text or detail.

While the machine is convenient to use, you need to be aware of some of the issues.

I followed the tutorial online step by step. I wasted both emulsion sheets in the process. Being a beginner, the tutorial shows a woman using a spray bottle generously to get the emulsion sheet attached to the screen. She then lets the emulsion dry in 20 minutes. I tried this, and the emulsion was still wet, so I gave it another 20 minutes. After coming back, it was still a little wet, but I was unsure if it became "too dry" whether or not the plastic would become cemented to emulsion. The instructions included are vague, and make this process seem a quick step by step without giving any word of potential issues.

This happened to both emulsions, before I realized on the second emulsion that it took way longer than 20 minutes to dry this. Once again, I followed both the instructions and the book, and they both made it seem that one 20 minute cycle (hitting the fan and walking away) was how to handle the emulsion.

My issue at this point is that I live on Long Island, with 2 JoAnn's, and 3 Michaels and 2 AC Moore's all within 25 miles of me. I have driven to each and every story every other day for the last week, and none of them sell emulsion sheets. I tried contacting Yudu, and after explaining my problems, they told me the only place these emulsions were available were at JoAnn's and HSN.

Anyway, if you consider using this product, just be aware of the potential problems that come along with it. If you mess this up, Yudu won't help you, and if there is no emulsion available in stores, you are SOL. I wish I could give you an idea of what the shirt came out like, except I couldn't get past the drying process.

I am so disappointed. I wanted to LOVE this unit ... but have had so much trouble burning the screens. Particularly, getting the silk frame properly wet so that the emulsion sheet will adhere evenly. It never seems to work out right ... no matter how many methods I use ... no matter how many times I watch the dvd demo video (terrible video by the way) or the online video ... and no matter how long I give the screen to dry. I feel slightly crazy over this ... yet I know that I am not craft-challenged. So I can only figure that the machine is not as easy to use as it suggests. Perhaps they should sell screens that already have the emulsion set onto them? Or perhaps I will learn to silk screen the "hard way" (seems easier to me!).

I do not recommend this unit until they work out some bugs ... and make it easy for the at home crafter.

My wife and I bought the Yudu a few days ago to do some T-shirts for our community theatre because we did not have time to get them done commercially. We had been considering the machine for quite a while and this was the need that pushed us into investing the money.

If you decide to buy one, do yourself a favor and buy extra supplies at the same time. Our biggest challenge up front was getting the emulsion sheet properly attached to the screen. Since only 2 sheets come with the kit, we ended up having to head back to Michael's for more. (Fortunately, it is only about 5 miles away.)

We found the drying function of the machine to be relatively worthless, taking far too long to adequately dry the screen and emulsion sheet. However, a blow dryer works great! Just make sure you have the sheet sufficiently wet first. We use a small mister bottle of water, inspect the sheet to make sure everything is wet properly, then blow dry it -- which takes only a few minutes. Then the exposure setting on the Yudu does fine.

We have been able to get 2-3 shirts done each time, then rinse out the screen, re-dry it, and start again. This process has yielded very good results so far.

Our biggest complaint with the product kit is that the instructions are horrible, leaving out some fairly important information on wetting and drying. Consequently, trial-and-error plays a big role in learning to use the equipment. The YouTube 7-step video is much more helpful than the included DVD, which was obviously created by Bubba for his own self-edification.

We did a ton of research before buying the Yudu and we were prepared to purchase the much needed "add ons" to help us be sucessful. Here are a few tip to help you get started.

* The first thing to buy is Speedball liquid emulsion and a scoop coater. The emulsion runs about 20.00 and so does the scoop coater. But you will get about 50+ screens from that 20.00 instead of two. Liquid emulsion is about a billion times easier to use then those emulison sheets and the liquid emulsion burns in the same 8 mins. Also I only coat the area of the screen I need so the emulsion will last even longer.

*Buy screenprinting inks from a local art store. I get mine from Jerry's Artarama and I pay about 5.00 for 8oz and the YUDU inks run 21.00 for 9oz of ink.

* A pro squeegy is a MUST! They are super cheap. Got a 12" one at Jerry's for about 19.00. Worth its weight in gold!

* If you run a shirt and it doesn't turn out just throw it in the washing machine BEFORE you iron it and all the ink will wash off and it will be as good as new. Ask me how I know this...LOL

*It really takes time to figure out how to print light colors on dark shirts..even the pros charge more to do this because its harder. I did a lot of trial and error shirts..see above point..lol Before figuring out how to make it happen..lol

* If you plan on doing more then one t-shirt at a time get more platens. I use the 40 off coupons at Michaels and get them for 11.00.

* Use spray adheasive to "resticky" the planten. The sticky sheets are two for 7.99. A can of spray adheasive is about 3.00 and it goes a long way and lasts a while. It also easily washes off the planten when you are ready.

* Make sure you planten is sticky enough to hold down your shirt so it doesnt shift when you are pulling your ink.

Hope these tips help. We really love our Yudu and use it on a regular basis. Its a great compact machine for the hobbiest.

This machine provides a clean and fun way to screen print, but at a cost of money and frustration.
There is a serious learning curve in applying the emulsion sheets to the screen, which will greatly affect the quality of the prints. If there is too little water, the emulsions sheets won't adhere properly to the screen, and too much water will result in streaks and bubbles in the coating. These sheets are a clean way to coat the screen, but they are expensive at about $9 each, so mistakes quickly add up. However, once you learn to prepare a screen for printing, the result is a fun and effective way to make custom shirts.

One caveat, you can print full-color, custom designs on T-shirts for very little money using online services like zazzle.com. If your interest is in the end product, save the hassle and do that instead. If you like to play with ink as a hobby, invest a lot of time and money into a YuDu machine.

I purchased my YUDU a month ago. The instructional video is "the worst" I've ever seen. Burning the pattern to the screen is not demostrated correctly nor listed in the instruction book correctly. However, when I went back to Michael's to return it, the clerks gave me a free demonstration. It was so easy! I also used the 7 steps video on youtube to direct me. The machine is great. However, the instructional DVD and user manual is poorly done.

After reading many reviews about the Yudu I was very hesitant about buying it. I only decided to buy it after finding an alternative to the emulsion sheets. I bought the machine and carefully watched the cheesy video and carefully read the directions. Despite what the video says, you must have your mesh screen very wet (like run it under the shower wet) for the sheets to adhere properly. The Yudu came with two emulsion sheets and I have successfully created two mesh screens with them. Besides getting the screen thoroughly wet to adhere the sheets, the other key is to make sure the screen is completely dry before removing the plastic sheet. You'll need to let it dry with the provided fan for several cycles (not just one) - or use the hair dryer (as suggested) - this speeds the drying process up considerably. I tested the dryness of the mesh with my hand before removing the plastic sheet - and on my first try when i saw it wasn't completely dry (after beginning to remove the plastic sheet) I immediately replaced the plastic and put it back in the dryer - so remove the plastic slowly until you are sure it's dry. I found the middle of the screen takes the longest to dry. I also followed a suggestion I read elsewhere and labeled both sides of my screen (I wrote "Front" one side and "Back" on the other) - this makes following the directions much easier. The only reason I gave this product a 4 and not a 5 is the considerable cost of all the accessories. As I said I've found an alternative to using the emulsion sheets (although I have yet to try it), but the paint is also not cheap. One last trick - after silk screening your shirt - open the bottle of ink and run it along your squeegy to collect the unused ink on it. You'd be surprised at how much you can get back in the bottle.

I have never silk screened and I had never seen it done. Frankly, I did't know what it was until I watched some [...] videos.
After watching the use of professional and amateur machines, I decided to give the Yudu a try.
I have never watched the DVD that came with the Yudu machine. I watched and re-watched the videos on Youtube and successfully completed my first project with only one hiccups.
My first project -- a canvas totebag came out great. I would only change two things -- not overwetting the screen and using emulsion. Hopefully the die-hard silk screeners aren't cringing at that.
The Yudu emulsion sheet is probably the easiest and fastest way to apply emulsion to the screens and even if you over or under wet it, it takes time to correct your mistake but overall, the process is fairly forgiving. My issue is that the emulsion sheets are ridiculouly expensive. If I had to buy emulsion sheets everytime I wanted to try a new design (and you would) I probably wouldnt' use the device. But, thank goodness for creative people! There's a video on youtube that demonstrates the use of cheap vinyl rather than emulsion. I'll be trying that next.
The Yudu Emulsion is measured and square and it starts off dry (which is good). You just add a little moisture to the screen with a squirt bottle (the finer the mist the better) or a wet paper towel. But darn! If you add too much water to that screen/emulsion, you will be waiting quite a while for the emulsion to dry!! I had to wait not 8 minutes but 40 minutes! In the grand scheme of crafty-things, 40 minutes is not that long -- unless you're feining to try out your new toy! :)
The Yudu setup is fun, easy and fairly forgiving. Just be patient with your first efforts and before you try anything with the Yudu, study silk screening technique via videos on the internet.

Do you have to buy the Yudu to silk screen? Of course not. There are videos on the internet that show you how to silk screen with pressure hoops and things of that nature. Those things cost less than $2 each. Does the Yudu give a novice everything you need to start in a single package? Yep. The Yudu, takes up relatively little space when stored because almost everything can rest inside or on top of the device when not in use. I put my paints and squeegees in a small plastic bin and they rest on top of the machine. So when I get ready to silk screen, everything is in one place.
Oh and since "cute is important" -- fact of the matter is, is tha the Yudu is "cute". Like so many other Provocraft crafty tools, the whole get-up is color coordinated and easy to keep clean.
Also, it appears that they will be releasing some additional accessories -- smaller Planens for pant legs etc., and a messenger styled bag to keep small things in (squeegee, paint etc).

The price is right on Amazon since my local craft stores won't permit use of their 40% and 50% off coupons on high-ticket items like the Yudu. Some stores will however let you use them (for now) for peripherals (extra screens, paint, squeegee etc.)

Happy Crafting!