[Reigncity]

Hello everyone I am new to this forum. I have been doing screenprinting for a couple of years now but I am new to the CMYK 4 color process, and was wondering if anyone can help answer some of my questions. Any videos, links, or advice would be greatly appreciated.

1. How does the CMYK process work?

2. How do I do the color seperation on photoshop, so that I may print transparencys and burn to the screen?

3. What are the proper settings or degrees that I need to do to each color?

4. Any other advice or videos, links that will help?

Again I am new to this process and would like to learn as much as I can about it, Thank you

 

[TYGERON]

You can start here:

IMAGES - THE JOURNAL FOR TEXTILE SCREENPRINTING ,EMBROIDERY, PROMOTIONAL CLOTHING AND GARMENT DECORATION

 

[Reigncity]

Thank you this article was informing, I just got my CMYK inks in, now I am just waiting on the 305 screens. Once they come in I am going to put all this information and see if I can pull it off,

Again thanks!

I guess my other question is since I don't have acurip or anything like that I am using photoshop and illustrator. Would I convert each CMYK layer to black manually?

 

[Reigncity]

Also when printing do I do it wet on wet? Or would I flash dry each CMYK color before hitting the next?

 

[TYGERON]

I just got my CMYK inks in, now I am just waiting on the 305 screens. Once they come in I am going to put all this information and see if I can pull it off,
Again thanks!
I guess my other question is since I don't have acurip or anything like that I am using photoshop and illustrator. Would I convert each CMYK layer to black manually?

I neglected to post my usual rant that process doesn't have to be 305 mesh and 55-65 lpi. I usually suggest a lower mesh count until you're comfortable burning 305"s and smaller dots.

Yes on the "manual" halftones.

And there are other angle combinations that work. And all the same angle will work also...like 22.5 degrees.

 

[TYGERON]

Also when printing do I do it wet on wet? Or would I flash dry each CMYK color before hitting the next?

Wet-on-wet. Flashing between colors will give a more grainy, sharpened look. But try both and you'll see first hand.

 

[brandedclothing]

You will have to do it manually in photoshop.

Just make sure your mode is CMYK, then go to your channels and copy and past each channel back into your layers. Then halftone each channel. The angles I use are Y=22.5, M=67.5, C=7.5, and K=37.5. I use 65 for my frequency and ellipse for the shape.

For white and very light shirts (or any you don't need an underbase) you can print wet on wet. If you have an underbase you have to flash every color.

 

[TYGERON]

If you have an underbase you flash the underbase. You don't have to flash the other colors.

You can, but it's not necessary. Depending on the art, how the separations are prepared, the kind of look you want and other factors.

You can also flash a particular color or colors to control or affect blending, shading or sharpness.

Print order is also something that's not set in stone. Y M C K is usually suggested but can be varied to control the look of the print. I've seen the order reversed from black to yellow.

Print pressure can greatly affect the printed image and also be used to tweak or adjust the overall print. Great process can be done manually and with just the 4 colors. But accurate, consistent higher end process is generally done on an automatic and with additional spot or "bump" colors to compensate for four color process' limitations.

The only absolute in screen printing is there are no absolutes.