I have been reading the post for some months and still and MESSINGUP, BIG TIME. I've been working with Corel Draw 3 and SilverPress 6 color 2 station press (I can't line up two colors let alone six) A Rep. came by yesterday and saw that my (first problem) Reg. Marks are not on the mark when I print my film out, He couldn't figure out WHY. (second problem) art work is not matching up on the press even though He showed me a way I thought I could get WRONG (I have washed out screens approximately 25-30 times within a month - to get them right still nothing because of Reg Marks) I have bothered my instructors so much I'm embarassed. I'm getting ready to go back to another class in TX. Is this screen printing this hard. I have so much to say about my screw ups (I'd liked to teach a class on The Screw-Up's I've done with Screen Printing) and money we spent out. I can go on and on and on. I need some solid help if any one can do this I would appreciate it. I got sucked into something I didn't want to do in the first place. Thanks for any and all assistance.
To be totally honest and in my opinion, to own/operate a screen printing company, you have to have a certain passion about it or else you're going to hate it. I've worked at successful companies where the owners HATED their businesses. I personally love what I do, even when things go wrong. Screen printing is not difficult but can be if you have no idea of what you're doing or lack the skills.
I think there may be a problem with the separations settings you're using to output your film... it makes no sense why the marks/art are not lining up. Tthe art itself should still register even without the use of registration marks.
Without a press that has micro registration, it will be almost impossible to accurately line up multi-color artwork unless the art is created just for this lack of registration capability. Without the micros, you can only put the screens in and get them close by eyeballing it and then lock them down. The registration marks themselves aren't important, just helpful.
The Chinese invented screenprinting a thousand years ago. They did register screens long before Riley Hopkins invented the micro registration dials on his presses. It can be done many ways. Put your thinking caps on and innovate...innovation made America great!
Thank you for your comment. I wasn't sure about the Chinese but I was just here thinking, How did Screen Printers and others do 20 years ago before all the easy stuff. (mmmmmmmm). Luckily I did't have that job I would have been fired (BIG time, lol). I have messed up some stuff. If you have any suggestions I would appreciate them. Thanks
Without a press that has micro registration, it will be almost impossible to accurately line up multi-color artwork unless the art is created just for this lack of registration capability. Without the micros, you can only put the screens in and get them close by eyeballing it and then lock them down. The registration marks themselves aren't important, just helpful.
this statement is totally untrue.....with a little patients and a little know how you can register a multicolor job on a press without micros....although it will be more difficult..it CAN be done......I have been registering 4 color process work since I purchased my 4c/2s silver press back in march....I dodnt know a thing about screen printing..I dove in a learned everything on my own ...and with help from the forum "shout out to" Out Da Box
but I did purchase the micro upgrades for the silver from Ryonet this morning......
Been there and done that.
As a screen printer that been in this industry for plenty of years,you pick up alot of TRICKS OF THE TRADE.
If your having problems with your Registration marks not lining up- first look at your artwork. Do they line up on the artwork? If not,its in your printer. Do you use Vellum?Are you using a Lazer Printer.
If your artwork lines up all the REGISTRATION MARKS but your screens cant line them up. Check your SCREENS. Any holes, rips, Hows the tention.
When your screen are all aligned and you still cant hit the REGISTRATION MARKS. Check your OFF TENTION and your PLATTENS. ARE your boards warped.
If everything still hits the REGISTRATION MARKS but you still cant get the Registation markes to line up. Check your PRESS. IS ALL THE ADJUSTMENTS TIGHT, Do all the arms come down and lock in the same place?.
If everything still is ok- DO you PUSH/PULL the same way every screen.Hows your squeeges? Soft or Hard?
Yes back in the day we didn't have MICRO REGISRATION and we learned how to set up the artwork to hide those OUT OF REGISTER SCREENS. We Choked the artwork and learned on the fly registration tricks. PUSH INSTEAD OF PULL that one color thats out.
Hope this helps.
this statement is totally untrue.....with a little patients and a little know how you can register a multicolor job on a press without micros....although it will be more difficult..it CAN be done......I have been registering 4 color process work since I purchased my 4c/2s silver press back in march....I dodnt know a thing about screen printing..I dove in a learned everything on my own ...and with help from the forum "shout out to" Out Da Box
but I did purchase the micro upgrades for the silver from Ryonet this morning......
Inked
Sorry, yes, I didn't mean to say that it couldn't be done. I was just trying to stress how much easier it is with micros. But, of course, it depends on a lot of things. Are you doing it just as a hobby, how efficient do you need to be, etc. But, in my experience, with the number of jobs that I must get done in a given day and the level of detail with various jobs, if I had to try to register screens without micros, I would lose money, quality and most importantly time.
Sorry, yes, I didn't mean to say that it couldn't be done. I was just trying to stress how much easier it is with micros. But, of course, it depends on a lot of things. Are you doing it just as a hobby, how efficient do you need to be, etc. But, in my experience, with the number of jobs that I must get done in a given day and the level of detail with various jobs, if I had to try to register screens without micros, I would lose money, quality and most importantly time.
you are obviously a proffesional screen printer that needs to get alot of jobs in and out on any given day.......with that said .....with a little patients and time registering multi color designs can be done without micros.....but much easier and faster with micros......
Images that don't register is the fault of your positives. What printer and media are you using? Paper is not as stable as film.
I hope you mis-typed and meant CorelDRAW X3 (13). CorelDRAW 3 is more than old - early 1990's. The functions added in version 9 and then version 12 were significant leaps for screen printers. I would doubt there are modern drivers for version 3.
It only takes seconds to line up your positives and make your own registration marks by hand with a pen.
If your image doesn't register on a light table, it's a printer or art problem.
__________________
How are you measuring? retired Ulano Technical Support Screen printing since 1979 - SGIA Academy Member
Thanks everyone for your assistance, I finally was able to get, all six (6) screens to match up, YEAH!!! Yes, I am using Corel Draw X3 the one with the green lizard on it. My Reg. Marks are still not matching up exactly but I'll work with what I have and what I've learned. Since I went back and took more time and followed the advice the Rep gave me it has made it much easier. Thanks from Me to YOU. On to my next challenge. Happy Holidays!!!!
Check list Question: Are you using your own marks colored with "Registration Color" or the tiny, disgusting registration marks found in the Prepress tab of the Print dialog?
I have no clue where "Registration Color" is found in the manual, but if you place a mark on any single layer, Double click on Fill Color in the lower right corner, Click the Models tab , then drop down the models drop box menu - At the bottom you will find "Registration Color". Color your mark with this color and it will appear on each color of your separation. I have used this method for big textile RegMarks in CorelDRAW since the early 1990's with laser printers.
I am very suprised your Epson is not printing your marks in Register. I suggest a practice test design of 4 separate color squares printed on photocopy paper.
__________________
How are you measuring? retired Ulano Technical Support Screen printing since 1979 - SGIA Academy Member
I have been printing films with my epson r1900 since last march...never had an issue with the films linning up......I would call where ever you purchased the printer and see if they can give you a replacement printer.
Newbie, Needing Help, on Screen Printing 
"shout out to" Out Da Box
