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.
I really want to print across a Zipper Hoodie - any suggestions. At this point I'm ready to sacrifice an older pallet and have a groove cut down the middle, so the zipper can set in it... am I going down the right path? any suggestions would be great...
I wouldnt cut the platen...I use cardboard, platen rubber, anything thick enough and smooth and build up the platen so the zipper can lay lower than the rest of the jacket. I stick it to the platen with spray tack...stays & works pretty well!
I agree with Kelli here. I use cardboard to raise up both sides to create a slot for the zipper to sit down in. I use the flat cardboard, not the corrugated . Of course I am doing dtg and not screen print, but I would think the same method would apply as we both use platens
__________________
Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest. ~~~Mark Twain BobbieLee
You can use thin pieces of wood (1/8" - 1/4") cut to various sizes for all sorts of tricky garments and locations. As for the zipper, once you have a slot for it too fall into, the whole platen can be covered in a few layers of old sweatshirts material, provided you have some to spare. The cushioning helps to produce a clean print over the seams.
Hope this helps!
All good suggestions. We use mouse pads here at our shop placed on the platen with a vacant space/groove down the middle for the zipper and seam to fall into, about 3/4"-1" wide. Also, water base inks will result in a cleaner print when doing this than will plastisol inks.
The sides of the fabric that cover the zipper will not stick together with water based inks. They will a bit with plastisol, in some places, but the easily pull apart. I had one once that had the edges stuck together and had ink all over the zipper once, if you just pull the zipper up and down, the ink flakes off of it easily.
Printing across a Zipper on a hoodie 
