Hello there. First time poster. Long time reader. I need to make a screen. But heres a short story behind it.
I bought a screen printing set-up from a "going out of business" shop. 6-Color, 6-station Hix manual press. 12x4 National Conveyor Dryer. 16x16 Flash Cure Unit. Epson r1800. Lots of Ink and tons of Screens. And a promise of "Getting me started"...
Funny thing is, once the guy cashed my check he never bothered to return my calls and I never got my training. Im bummed. But I am a very fast learner and I have a graphcs background in Design and Illustration. I also know basic screen printing and Im not afraid to fail... just want to make cool t-shirts for my DJ friends!!
Sooo.. I have designed a 3-color design. Red/Orange/White. All solid. No halftones. I do not have FastRIP or any kind of RIP software. The guy said he used to print 2 transparencies with the Epson Ink, lined them back to back to make it darker and burn the screens.
I cant afford a RIP program right now. So straight to the question with the knowledge above...
What are my options to get my design on a screen?
Should I use Vellum?
Should I buy a special Transparency?
Anything would help.
And yes I have read through the searches and will buy a RIP program with the first batch of money we make! Many many many thanks in advance.
Wow...Sounds like you bought your stuff from the same guy I did...Funny(NOT REALLY) how their phones stop working after the money changes hands...GOOD LUCK...looking forward to some of the replys,as I am in the same boat. Hang in there, Jeff
Wow, sounds like all of you need someone local to come on in a tutor you up for maybe a fee of return printing as a barter. I would ove to come and give anyone of you a hand if you are in the Atlanta area. But in case your not.... read up a bit, Illustrator, Corel can print your vellums pretty simply by going thru your preferences. I know this might not help much, but really if you put the word out locally someone will come and show as long as you swap out some work in return.
Trust me, it happened to me to, nothing like learning to print 500 red tees for "The Varsity" in less than 48 hours upon owning a shop.
try to buy a cheap epson 3000 to print your films - or anything that is dark enough - if your broke, just use deskjet ink, then a black marker or sharpie and fill in the black as much as you can.
Thanks guys.
I have 2 weeks before a show and the buddies want some t-shirts for thier event. So Im looking for a temporary fix. Then when they pay me, I'll buy FastRIP. But until then I'll just have to do the transparenc + black marker technique.
None of my colors touch so theres no need to trap or anything. I think Im in good hands. Once again, thanks guys.
If anyone else has any more suggestions, vellum ideas, transparency types to buy and not to buy for a Epson r1800.. or anything that might help, please feel free to chime in.
Vellum is the incorrect term for 'transparent paper with a vellum finish', a rough surface that holds more laser toner.
If you use vellum finish paper with your EPSON R1800 inkjet, you will probably not be happy with the results because the wet ink will bleed in the textured surface. Try it and look a the print with a magnifying glass.
Coated polyester film for pigment ink is the best thing to use with your R1800.
This has been discussed in many posts on this forum. Search for R1800.
Since you already have an R1800, I don't think you should shop for an EPSON 3000.
For those that do not have an R1800, if the 3000's on eBay work, they are slower than the R1800, but have the old, original EPSON printer driver with the back light film setting that put down twice as much ink deposit and started the inkjet revolution in screen printing. Still not halftone ability though.
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How are you measuring? Ulano Technical Product Manager - NYC
Thanks Richard.. I am going to the screen print supply store tomorrow and see what my options are. Im sure they will give me several options to consider.
Im think I'll try the method with 2 transparencies layered on top of each other to get the darker output, add a black marker and I should be fine to start burning the screen.
Has anyone else every tried this method for burning the screens?
Yes.... Minneapolis.. and I am going there this Thursday. (My day off)
I heard form 2 other guys that the lady there is super nice and always willing to help. There is light at the end of this tunnel..
I would go to the local Kinko's and have them print your art on an 11" X 17" Vellum. It will work very well depending on your light table. We print 90% of our art with a laser printer on Vellem even half tones. Its worth a try and won't cost a lot to see. Good Luck,
I would go to the local Kinko's and have them print your art on an 11" X 17" Vellum. It will work very well depending on your light table. We print 90% of our art with a laser printer on Vellem even half tones. Its worth a try and won't cost a lot to see. Good Luck,
If you can go anywhere besides Kinko's I would recommend it. Unless you know someone at Kinko's don't go there because they are idiots. They always say your order will be done 24 hours later even though they aren't doing anything when you walk in the door. I have had a few bad experiences if you can't tell
Northwest Graphic Supply. Sorry I didnt make myself more clear. I talked to 4 local guys/screen printers and they say for me to go to her with all my newbie questions.
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