Discuss the different types of equipment needed for screen printing. Topics include manual screen printing presses, automatic presses, dryers, folding machines, starter kits and high end machines.
Just starting to get into screenprinting.
I am making my own screen by using silk and made a frame out of 1X2.
Drawing design on screen and then using Mod Podge Glue to cover up.
Any other ideas would be very helpful.
Using one color now and would like to move up to up.
You may want to buy a silkscreen starter kit from companies like Speedball. Unless all your work will be low volume, custom created stuff, you'll have to go this route sooner or later anyway.
2 color is a whole different animal. If you are after tight registration of colors, you really need a multi-color printing press to o this right.
couple really cheap things to make your life WAY easier:
you can get a new wooden frame w/screen for about $15, or you could contact a local shop and see if they have any old frames they cant use anymore. they might give them to you.
Even if you buy a speedball kit, you will want a real squeege,(the ones that come with the kit are a plastic scraper) you can order one cheap online, you'll probebly want a 12" squeege.
Like Joe said, when you are ready to do 2 colors or more you will need a multi color press, unless your art is such that registration can be approximate and doesnt need to be exact. In this case you can probebly eyeball it and get away with it.
Just my opinion, take it for what it's worth.... I think you'll spend as much money and time making your own as if you were to buy one. ...I am a totally frugal penny pincher and I wouldn't dream of trying to make my own. Seriously, you are talking about a lot of work and a lot of uncertainty in the whole stretching thing.
If you were local, I would give you some frames...I live too far away to try to ship the frames, pay to have them restretched and all that gamut. It's easier and about as inexpensive to just buy them new for me....Good luck.
Just starting to get into screenprinting.
I am making my own screen by using silk and made a frame out of 1X2.
Drawing design on screen and then using Mod Podge Glue to cover up.
Any other ideas would be very helpful.
Using one color now and would like to move up to up.
Are you doing this as a hobby just to print for yourself or do you plan on selling your shirts or printing services?
I think that having the right equiptment for this is so crucial, and worth the investment. even for the hobbiest. check out some of the packages at www.silkscreeningsupplies.com
there are some cheap packages that you may be interested in, and they are a good company to deal with in my opinion.
In the near future I will be printing shirts and selling them.
I am planning on getting a kit later. Right now just trying things out and looking for ideas from everyone and getting some good advice.
Thanks
Whoa! My opinion is that all these ppl are correct. Take it from me as well, i just started about 6 months ago and i spent lots and lots of money buying wood ,fabric ,emulsion , about 4 squeegy's. In the end i found out it was a waste of 300 dollars and time. You will soon come to find out that you need everything commercial and yes a multi colored station. Thats the part i am stuck on . They cost money and without it you wont make quality shirts... Oh and you wont ever be able to make a screen like the ones you buy. Stick with commercial equiptment and supplies. On the other hand if you are doing it as a hobby and do not wish to sell your shirts then stick with the homemade remedy...
I figured he was doing it as a hobby since he mentioned mod podge; that's why I recommended knife cut films. They would be a huge step up from mod podge and not require an exposure unit, pressure washer, etc.
I've taking all in account for all advice. I'll be buying a kit. I check into the 2 and up colors. That will have to wait untill I get a little more $$$.
Again thank you all for the advice
New to Screen Printing 
Re: New to Screen Printing 
