justinx

hey i recently join this forum, and new to the screen printing process.

im a high school student, who has way too much time on his hands. so i decided to start desiging teeshirts, after a week of reseraching and stuff. ive come to the decision to do screenprint.
however, i have alot of questions to ask. i dont know where else to go but to you guys, really hope you could help me on that.

i dont have enough money, to buy machines, etc. i was wondering ,if it was still possible to make teeshirts, that ppl would acutally wear ( high quality, good designs etc)

i dont mind going the extra mile like if it takes alot more time etc, im just really hoping that i can achieve what alot of you guys can do. i have alot of time, and i dont mind wasting 3-5 hours for a shirt, where u guys just need like 10-15 min.

like for instance, the uv light part, i could just expose it out in the sun right and still get the effect? and dryer, could i use a blow dryer? and the paint and stuff..
i was also wondering, how to make a gloss finish on the design.

like how to apply more then one color on the shirt?

transparency can i print images on it with a reg HP printer?


what kind of teeshirts to use?

im sorry i have so many questions, but im really eager to start asap, and with summer here. i wanna wear them, i want to create stuff that would acutally be worn outside, and doesnt look homemade..

thanks in advance, really hoping to hear from you guys.

 

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ken49663

As far as making your screens you may want to check with a local screenprinter to see if they can do it for you, without the proper equipment this could be quite a challenge. siklkscreeningsupplies.com has some very basic equipment for a decent price to get started. You can print your films with an ink jet printer but need to purchase transparency film that is compatible. A blow dryer will not cure your ink but a heat gun will get you started. Either way it will cost you a little money to get started. For shirts go to the local arts and crafts store to see what they offer, otherwise with small orders shipping will break the bank for you. You will need a press to do more than one color.

 

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justinx

thanks, however im really intrested to get a gloss effect on the shirt how can i do that?
ive read crystal gel etc, but i really dont know what they are

and plasticol ink, what type of brand should i get?

i watchd the youtube vids, about basic screenprint and stuff

so the mandatory equipments i need is a heat gun? and what else?

i was thinking i could spend about 100 to get started, and when i get a job in the summer i could then buy good equips. i just want to be able to design cool things on my plain white tees. and if it becomes successful, i wanna start a business

 

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ken49663

You could make a simple screen press with some smooth plywood and a couple of hinges, bolt the hinges to your screen,. remember that you will need about 1/8" off contact. that is the space between the screen and the shirt. At the very least you will need:
Screens
Squeegee
heat gun
Ink, any plastisol will do. Plastisol is a fairly glossy ink when cured.

Have fun, it will be a great hobby for you and possibly you could make a few bucks too!

 

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petejobs

hey im also new to this, and i seen someone who used a blow dryer and iron to make the shirts, and i was wondering if this the basic method up there, could make better shirts than this.

im not sure if you guys can just know by looking at it, but ill provide some pics , i want to know what kind of paint this person uses, and what kind of texture is that called. and method if possible.

heat gun/ blowdryer? what difference?

muffin - Image - TinyPic - Share the Experience!™

Image - TinyPic - Share the Experience!™

thanks

 

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jiarby

buy Fresner's book (or look in the library for it)
"How To Print T-Shirts For Fun & Profit"

 

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ragees

I am also a student (21 years old), and just like you wanted to pick up screen printing with a friend of mine.
After thinking a lot about what to buy etc I ended up buying the 1000 dollars kit 4 color press from silkscreeningsupplies and actually it really was not a bad choice since the shirts that come out look really pro without too much experience or hassle.
Thanks to that I was able to get a couple of jobs for the university sports club a bar down the road etc.
go around your local area and ask all the bars and other buisnesses if they want some shirts and that you'll make the for a great price etc.
I actually did a couple of 10 shirt jobs wich might sound crazy for most people here but I did end up making a small profit and since time was not an issue it was worth it.
Now i've started doing a few of my own designs ad I'll be selling them in the streets this summer.

so my advice would be go for a press or at least a starting kit because your shirts will look great and you'll be able to sell them easy plus have a proper portfolio and look really professional with a couple of buisness cards and a website.

otherwise buy a couple of screens some ink, a sqeegee, emulsion and some cleanig products and start printing see how well you do.

If you set your screen up properly and be vary carefulland also maybe spend like 20 per shirt you should not need a press (but remember it simplifies things a LOT and is worth every dollar) lol...

You should be fine.
Good luck

 

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