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I have a technical question about the graphics you see on all those vintage tees where they're really old and faded looking. Is that a screenprinting trick or a digital effect in Photoshop, or both?
If it's a Photoshop effect, does anyone know what filters to use to get that look? I'm also using Illustrator to create some vector artwork which I don't want to convert into a rasterized Photoshop format, so I'm guessing that those who exclusively create vector designs would solely rely on the screenprinter to create that vintage distressed look when printing?
You can get a vector overlay to give the graphics a distressed look. I think they have one for download at: http://screenprinters.net/downloads/
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what about using a higher screen count, less then normal pressure without pre flooding the screen to give it that natural faded look?
It could work. The problem is it will be quite inconsistent, and some tees are going to look better than others (to the point where some won't be useable). If you're selling to retail they are also likely not going to appreciate the inconsistency. That said, I think experimenting with those kind of things can be a good way to get a distressed effect.
these are great. Creating your own filters are another great way as well.
Wow, there are 3 sets of filters on this site, each containing 60 filters meaning there are 180 different filters to get that faded vintage washed look?
I don't have any further input...I just felled compelled to say thanks! I've been creating that distressed look in Illustrator by hand the hard way, the filter overlays are excellent!
As EternylStudios mentioned, the Machine Wash filters from Mister Retro are available for Photoshop. Just in case anyone is looking at buying these as a way of distressing their artwork, here's a quick overview of how I'm using them. After I import my Illustrator artwork into Photoshop I apply the Machine Wash filter. Once I have the look I'm after I select the pixels that represent the distressed areas and expand them by one pixel to ensure they are big enough to not fill in when I silkscreen the images. I place the Photoshop image of just the distressed pixels in Illustrator CS2 on a new layer and use Livetrace to change it back to vector artwork. This gives me control over where I have the distressed areas so I can remove patches that cover text or are too much of a distraction. I end up with a file that has two layers - my original image and one for the distressed bits that allow the fabric to show through my image. Seems to work really well.
As EternylStudios mentioned, the Machine Wash filters from Mister Retro are available for Photoshop. Just in case anyone is looking at buying these as a way of distressing their artwork, here's a quick overview of how I'm using them. After I import my Illustrator artwork into Photoshop I apply the Machine Wash filter. Once I have the look I'm after I select the pixels that represent the distressed areas and expand them by one pixel to ensure they are big enough to not fill in when I silkscreen the images. I place the Photoshop image of just the distressed pixels in Illustrator CS2 on a new layer and use Livetrace to change it back to vector artwork. This gives me control over where I have the distressed areas so I can remove patches that cover text or are too much of a distraction. I end up with a file that has two layers - my original image and one for the distressed bits that allow the fabric to show through my image. Seems to work really well.
I have used the Mister Retro stuff for years now, very very useful. But you are right, they are only for Photoshop. I do about 90% of my design in Illustrator, so I know that getting that faded look can be a pain.
But here's the thing. Once you create your art in illustrator, you can flatten it and then import it into Photoshop and then use the Mr. Retro filters on it. And then send those right over to the screenprinter. Doing it this way will ensure that even the subtleties of your distressed image will be more apparent on your final screenprint.
However, I do distress stuff in Illustrator a lot prior to going into Photoshop. I actually have a whole library of stuff I use to beat up my images in illustrator. What you do is just make the "grunge shape" the same color as your background or shirt color. And just overlay it on top your design and it will look like it "knocks out" your artwork.
That Faded, Vintage, Distressed Look 
