[Gilligan]

I'm sure this has been asked and posted before but frankly the search engine here sucks. But I did try!

Ok... I'm just getting started and I am a SUPER small operation and I would like a list of essential/recommended supplies.

What inks... I'm thinking Union Inks (my contractor uses them so why not). What colors? Obviously white, black and I'm getting red for a design I already have and am currently doing in Vinyl.

I'll be using EZ Film by Ulano for now.

What about reclaiming chemicals what is necessary?

what about adhesives, pallet paper, ink removers?

What size squeegees and how many?

I'll be doing mostly small orders <100 and contracting anything else out until I get better/faster. I am building my own press similar to youtees. I'll have a handful of screens and some will remain in stock since I do a lot of fulfillment for my bro-in-law's website. So I will really only be reclaiming and setting up new jobs every couple of weeks at best and probably only be 1-4 screens.

I hope that I will be busier than that soon but for now I'm not expecting much nor am I out trying to sell much. I will start out slow and get a feel for all this... but I know I need some essentials. What do I NEED and what am I missing?

Thanks in advance,
Kevin

 

[Jsaladin]

To start get a Franmar sample kit. That should cover all the chemicals and what not. You dont need emulsion since you are using quick sheets. I would buy ink as needed. I would say your white black and red you need now plus maybe a blue. For some reason I use a LOT of blue. Then I would get you 4-6 Squeegees. Look at what you think your biggest image will be. If you are doing a full back or front, get 14 inch squeeges, plus get at least a 4inch for the small stuff. I have been printing all day but i think that is what you asked for. If I think of more I will add it.

 

[Jsaladin]

I forgot a can of adhesive, but thats a given. Dont forget to stir sticks for your ink. If your just starting out a box of gloves will come in handy.

 

[Gilligan]

Are all these NECESSARY?

I'm looking for barebones starter setup. Like I don't think I need block out... granted I don't think you suggested it... but certain items like that would be nice but you can achieve them just as well with a little more work/care. I've also heard things like simple green work just as good for a degreaser.

Let's face it... I'm cheap

 

[Jsaladin]

simple green will work as a degreeser. I dont use blockout at all really. I did by a blockout pen though that works great fo filling pill holes. One thing nice about the sample pack is you normally get a deal on it. You get everything you need and it is worth it. I am cheap too and find the best price on what i need. How are you going to dry the ink? Do yourself and your arm a favor and at least buy a flash dryer.

 

[Gilligan]

I got a flash dryer coming to me for 180 shipped (used). That's pretty much the only thing I've really bought so far... well, and screens and some raw materials to build my press and exposure unit.

 

[Jsaladin]

Sounds good, have you looked at used presses?

 

[Gilligan]

Yeah, but nothing really that cheap with micros... my diy press should register pretty well. Plus I'm curing with the Flash so I can't go that fast anyway.

I also only pay about a buck a print to my contract printer so the more I invest the longer it takes me to make my money back vs just letting him do the work.

 

[Jsaladin]

ou have to remember that you are not going to get the same results as your contract printer using a homemade press and then you wont be making any money

 

[Gilligan]

Why is that?

 

[Jsaladin]

you are not going to have the consistancy and versitality that he has with a professional press. I guess I made the assumption he has one before I asked. I have seen a homemade press look good but normally there are issues, flaky ink, poor registration just to name a few. another thing to invest in is an infrared temp gun. If you have a good thing going with im. build a customer base up and save your profits. Then go after the dream of doing everything yourself.

 

[Gilligan]

Yes, he has a "real press" and a semi-auto.

I plan on using a youtees style press... so according to one guy (who granted is a little nutty) it has better registration than a rotary and I do see his point. I will have decent registration and off contact so I don't know why I wouldn't have just as good prints.

I already have a IR temp gun.

BTW, I'm not trying to be a know it all... these are just my feelings about what I'm building... if your experience is difference then that certainly holds more weight than my theories.

Also... I've got a few designs that I need to be screen printing vs using vinyl and this will make sense for those extremely small but repeat runs alone.

 

[jasonsc310]

You will need screens, 20x24, probly 110 mesh. Maybe 6-8 screens, You can get chemical easiway chemicals. You will probly need 3 different. easistrip (ink and emulsion remover), 701(dehaze,degrease), 842(press wash). I would go with 4 squeeges, a 2-14" and 2-4". You need spray adhesive. White, Black inks. You can get 7 qts of GEN inks for 100 bucks. You can use carboard to scoop ink out and spread on frame. You need some kind of film or vellum for your printer to make the positves so you can burn your image. You need tape. Masking tape works great. You need scrub pads. Need to have a white pad to and a red pad. The white one would be used to degrease your screens (very improtant). Hope this helps a little

 

[Gilligan]

Hey Jason, I have a nice shopping cart on your site now... just fine tuning it.

What is with the colors of scrub pads? You guys need TexTac (especially given your name )

I just received 20 20x20 static frames at $7 each... from a guy. Good tension from what I can tell... I imagine it is a subtle difference though.

Also one of my clients is a cabinet sales shop... I just left from there with a hand full of melamine coated shelves that they didn't want. And a new business opportunity but that is on the down low for now!

 

[jasonsc310]

The scrub pads are patrotic. We have the (red )which is for cleaning the excess ink, and the emulsion off, the (white) is the least abrasive and is used to degrease the screen before you put new emulsion on, this one you need to keep and use only for degreasing. The (blue) is the most abrasive of the pads and it just give you that little extra grit for cleaning that dirty, inky frame. Thats a great idea about TexTac i need to find a place for that. Your secret is safe with me.

 

[Gilligan]

Gotcha... I figured it was abrasiveness, I was just not certain.

Yeah, get a source on that tex-tac... quick, before I make my order.

It's made by: IKONICS Corporation or IMAGE MATE or Chromaline... the MDS sheet says ALL of them. *shrug*

 

[jasonsc310]

We have TB-10 now which is the same thing, Just different company. We can get the Tex-Tac Through Chromaline. Have to work on that in the am.