[manwithatan]

Hi,

I am looking at the following for doing single colour T'shirts. I am only starting out and want to see how my designs sell.

One colour Screen Printing Machine and T-shirt printing machine

Also thinking about the 2 colour

http://silkscreenprintingmachines.co.uk/two-colour-screen-printing-machine.html

Is this a high price for what it is

Do people think this will be any good or a waiste of money or can any one recomend any suitable alternatives.

Thanks for your help

 

[royster13]

I told one of my neighbour kids to buy some speedy clamps and a screen.....He using the sun to expose his screen and water based inks and printing all kinds of neat designs.....

| eBay

 

[OneTrickPony]

build a single platen line table cost you next to nothing and unlimited colours.

Car Wash to reclaim wash out screens.

piece of wood / chipboard - platen
a few pieces of wood - guide rail
bolt or nail - center registration
t-Square - registration
2 bolts / screws to square screen

if you like it then you need to only add more platens and you printing, then get a flash unit or heat gun - depends on the ink plastisol ( more expensive start up) or water based ( heat gun )

even start by getting a screen printer to burn your screens for you and then practice i started like this was wanting to buy a rotary but find the line table so easy i built a larger 10 platen one instead.

Good luck and have fun

http://www.t-shirtforums.com/screen-printing-equipment/t359930.html <--- my 10 platen line table images and this forum is full of line table and other D.I.Y equipment ideas

 

[manwithatan]

Thanks for advice

I have screenprinted before and realy enjoyed it (It was a few year ago)

I have been getting designs together for a while and wanting to start printing. I have looked at heat press but am not convinced and think I would get better results screen printing (with practice)

I am a bit limited in funds

One problem I have is I have a power house to expose, wahsh screens but have no drainage. I can see this being a problem.

I am also concerned about the cost of screens this is why I looked at heat press. Has any one had much success making own screens or can recomend a cheap supplier.

 

[OneTrickPony]

Thanks for advice

I have screenprinted before and realy enjoyed it (It was a few year ago)

So you already have some experience

I have been getting designs together for a while and wanting to start printing. I have looked at heat press but am not convinced and think I would get better results screen printing (with practice)

I am a bit limited in funds
Look at doing a line table extremely cheap

One problem I have is I have a power house to expose, wahsh screens but have no drainage. I can see this being a problem.
car wash is a option, or do it in your bathroom/shower - built in drainage , or do it at a friend neighbor etc. - that is really not a train smash

I am also concerned about the cost of screens this is why I looked at heat press. Has any one had much success making own screens or can recomend a cheap supplier.

Buy second hand screens, ask screen printers in your area for old screens , remesh them or make your own screens I make my own screens when needed ( wooden ones for regular jobs since they cheap to make and easy to store --> My screen stretcher ) but i use metal screens mostly for long runs since i like the weight.

Google, this forum is full of info that you can use, I learnt to screen print thanks to this forum and youtube

 

[Tourino]

Robert,

Why would a silk screen printer sell their used screens if they are still useable?

 

[royster13]

Tourino there are always seems to be lots of used screens for sale.....Some upgrade to re-tensionable screens, other change presses and screens may no longer fit....If you have a desire to print and no money, you can be printing for less than 50.00....

 

[OneTrickPony]

Robert,

Why would a silk screen printer sell their used screens if they are still useable?

Royster gave answer, also some may be stained, wrong mesh count even small tear in them - fix and print, make some cash and buy new ones etc.

 

[manwithatan]

Tourino there are always seems to be lots of used screens for sale.....Some upgrade to re-tensionable screens, other change presses and screens may no longer fit....If you have a desire to print and no money, you can be printing for less than 50.00....

This I like

So if I build a small line press and search for some second hand screens and get the inks I can be up and away.

I know how to build a ghetto exposure unit. I have made screens this way before and I have a heat gun

Thanks for the advice on this thrad and yes I have a big desire to print.

The cost of screens had put me of screen printing . So I was looking at heat transfer. But it looks so much trouble and very expensive.

What would be the best inks to use (water based) As I think I can cure with heat gun rather than flash dryer. Can you use this technique with plastasol?

 

[OneTrickPony]

This I like

So if I build a small line press and search for some second hand screens and get the inks I can be up and away.

I know how to build a ghetto exposure unit. I have made screens this way before and I have a heat gun

Thanks for the advice on this thrad and yes I have a big desire to print.

The cost of screens had put me of screen printing . So I was looking at heat transfer. But it looks so much trouble and very expensive.

What would be the best inks to use (water based) As I think I can cure with heat gun rather than flash dryer. Can you use this technique with plastasol?

water based is the way to start, less chemicals needed to clean up all you need is water, and heat gun will work for starters.

Reclaim get some reclaiming chemical spray off at car wash or use high pressure hose.

Buy some mesh and make your own screens/buy frames and remesh ...

 

[Tourino]

I have been a TSF member for a long time. I was informed by several people that heat guns are for hobby people.

If you are going into actual business, heat guns are not the answer to sustaining a business. The chances of you getting every single area properly cured is all guess work.

But, on the other hand, you gotta start somewhere. But if that shirt washes out after 1 wash, don't expect your customer to call you back for a new order anytime soon you dig? LOL

 

[manwithatan]

I have been a TSF member for a long time. I was informed by several people that heat guns are for hobby people.

If you are going into actual business, heat guns are not the answer to sustaining a business. The chances of you getting every single area properly cured is all guess work.

But, on the other hand, you gotta start somewhere. But if that shirt washes out after 1 wash, don't expect your customer to call you back for a new order anytime soon you dig? LOL

2 heat guns? :0

Any recomendation on cheap dryer. I am in the uk

 

[royster13]

I would certainly not attempt to produce orders for clients with a heat gun......But there is no reason why you can not use water based inks and air dry.....It will be limiting in that dark inks on light shirts work best.....,

 

[Tourino]

2 heat guns? :0

Any recomendation on cheap dryer. I am in the uk

LOL @Brendan NO heat gun at all if you are getting into BUSINESS, bro. LOL

If you do not cure your t shirts completely, your shirts will be cracking prematurely. You should be concerning yourself with giving good QUALITY in this game.

There are already too many "crab t shirt printers" out here giving sub standard products to good people who are willing to pay good money for a good product. Don't be a crab; instead, be a salmon or a big tuna. LOL

I've seen flash dryers for as low as $350-$380 plus plus on amazon and ebay. I even found someone selling an OLD one for $250 on craigslist the other day. Keep searching. I would outsource with a "good" printer until you can build up some extra revenue.

If you are impatient about saving $ over time to buy, then try to finance some equipment if you have good credit or have a partner starting up this business with you. That is, if you have someone reliable, business savvy, on the same page as you and trustworthy in your camp.

Just my thoughts. I want to see you succeed! You have "the fire" and that is important to have when the tough days hit you. Sometimes YOU will be all that you have to weather that storm so having that "fire" is important.

Keep your head up and LET'S GO!! WHEWWWWWWW HEWWWWWWWWW! VIVA LA T SHIRT PRINTERS ROCK!! (sorry I had to get that off my chest...LOL)

 

[cyclesurgeon]

Have a look at my site Crafted by Christopher under projects and plans. There's FREE plans for presses,screen stretchers, a ghetto heat press (that cures ink quite well), along with links to videos so you can build them. That said, I'm not a pro and I only print for other people occasionally. It's all about the fun of printing.