I'm going to print some words on a dark heather shirt. The words are going to be black with a white box printed behind the black letters. I have two questions: First, I don't want to coat a screen with emulsion just to make a 2inch by 3inch box; will I be able to just tape the box off on a clean, blank screen? And second, will it work fine to print the white first, flash it, then print the black letters over it? I think it'll work but, I'm not sure because the white is so thick.
Thanks
-Travis
I'm going to print some words on a dark heather shirt. The words are going to be black with a white box printed behind the black letters. I have two questions: First, I don't want to coat a screen with emulsion just to make a 2inch by 3inch box; will I be able to just tape the box off on a clean, blank screen? And second, will it work fine to print the white first, flash it, then print the black letters over it? I think it'll work but, I'm not sure because the white is so thick.
Thanks
-Travis
You will need to print white, flash, then print black print over it. But, about not wanting to emulsion a screen is plain lazy. Anyway, I don't think taping a box on a screen will work, because tape doesn't block the mesh holes completely, leaving a huge possibility of a jagged tooth type of print. If you don't want to use much emulsion, than just emulsion the size needed for the box.
First, I don't want to coat a screen with emulsion just to make a 2inch by 3inch box; will I be able to just tape the box off on a clean, blank screen?
So you just want to print a blank, open 2"x3" box? In that case there's no need to coat the screen - as you said you can tape it off, or you could use paper cut stencils with a blank screen, or a combination of similar methods.
If you're going to be doing a large number of these it'd be easier on yourself in the long run to use a properly coated and exposed screen, but if it's for a small run there's no need.
I agree with both TeddyRocky and Lewis. if it is a small number your can tape the square or use a paper stencil. I know many printer who use paper number stencils in this same fashion. Like Lewis mentions if the run is large enough you will want to use emulsion and prep correctly or you will encounter issues during the run.
You can print the black right on top of the white ink yet will need to flash before printing. This will casue your black to have a gloss finish for the most part. If your press is good and the run is big simplify the art and knock out the text with a slight trap. print the black first (courtesy flash) than the white with a low mesh from (110) the 110 should yield a one hit wonder on the white due to the heather shirt.
Question about printing 
Anyway, I don't think taping a box on a screen will work, because tape doesn't block the mesh holes completely, leaving a huge possibility of a jagged tooth type of print. If you don't want to use much emulsion, than just emulsion the size needed for the box.
