Sorry if this is the wrong place for this but I wasn't sure if it really fit in the "Heat Press" section.
Okay, my greatest problem so far getting into this t-shirt business is that there are SO many variations to how you are supposed to do things and what things/steps you ARE and ARE NOT supposed to do that it has cost me more than I would have liked spending. I had one supply shop tell me that its not worth buying screens higher than 125 mesh for printing on t-shirts because the shirts can only really register no more than 125... Then I had the screen shop say that guy was crazy. I was told that I had to pre-wash all of the blanks that I bought and after reading some posts here, now I'm not sure if thats true or not and am also curious if washing the shirt and drying it with a fabric softener has any affect on how the ink adheres and cures. So, here is my question:
Is it actually necessary to pre-wash the blanks I have bought BEFORE silk-screening them? I am using plastisol inks. My shirts are AAA (Alstyle Apparel & Activewear). I am using their 100% cotton and 50/50 tees. It was also suggested to me that I wash the shirt the final curing is done, but in a post made by Rodney, he says that's a bad idea because the customer may possibly be alergic to the detergent I use... A VERY VALID POINT! But one that also affects the process of pre-washing. I realize that one of the reasons the pre-wash was suggested was to help minimize any potential, future shrinkage. But these shirts do say pre-shrunk. So, can someone cut right to the point please and give me the low down on the pre-wash and after-wash?
Well, first off, whoever told you that shirts can't "register" anything over 125 mesh screens was either clueless about screen printing or trying to pull a fast one on you; because that simply makes no sense.
Pre-washing shirts is a BAD idea, they should come print ready from your wholesaler. Also, washing afterwards is a bad idea, just like Rodney said.
Drew - 100% correct.
I am amazed at some posts and how how much time is wasted with unnecessary steps.
In business, you have to be efficient at what you do or you won't succeed.
Washing is bad unless you are retailing them yourself as a specialty item like a prewashed or faded jeans thing! I use any mesh from 86 to 300 depending on the job>Teee
Drew - 100% correct.
I am amazed at some posts and how how much time is wasted with unnecessary steps.
In business, you have to be efficient at what you do or you won't succeed.
Well, as SeasonEnds said, that's why I asked. Trust me, I don't want to ADD any more steps than is necessary but this is a forum for not only discussing the industry but for learning what one didn't yet know. I have found so many different techniques, processes and suggestions for achieving the same final outcome, that it is all very confusing. I, like many others here, am new to this and enjoying it but am also frustrated. People that I have asked before finding these forums had such variations on the same topics - hold the squeegee at a 60 degree angle, don't hold it at 60 hold it at 45 degrees, don't hold it there, hold it roughly at 1 oclock, wash the shirts, don't wash and so on - it is maddening.
Anyway, thank you all for the info. I will remove this step and no longer pre-wash the tees...
Wash-Screen-Wash vs Wash-Screen-Sell??? 
