[scpy27]

OK please don't think this a service request, it isn't. Its just a dumb noob trying to get up and running.

I have just bought a screen printing press. I have some designs. I have redesigned them to be as economical with colour as I can. To be honest I wouldn't know whether to use half tones or colour seps. There in lies the problem.

Is there such a service whereby you can send designs and a mock up finished tee and get a set of vellums back in the post so you can make the screens and print them.

If there is, what would I search for 'textile artworker'? Screenprinting prep?

Dale

 

[red514]

good question! not sure of the industry standard term but i refer to those services as

color separation
and
film out put

Depending on the size of the films needed there's many affordable options using inkjet and laser printers. Many of the clients i deal with around the world often request just the separations from me and out put the films themselves. This can be very beneficial to a print shop that can't afford waiting on couriers ect.. depending on your demand this could be a very good investment.

 

[scpy27]

thanks red514

good point. I suppose if the print shop just sent back the prepped files for me to print off then it makes the process quicker. It also means your suppliers can be based anywhere.

In your experience would most print shops be happy to take this on, or would they typically prefer to take on a whole job?

D

 

[red514]

If the print shop handles separations and film out put, they often prefer to handle everything themselves so they have full control of the process.

Some shops i've worked with don't do separations but do out put the films. They do this because they don't have a need for a graphic artist full time and do allot of contract printing, their clients send the digital files and they produce the films for them.

I've also worked with several contract printers that don't do either, you have to supply the films as well.

it really depends on the print shop and their needs.

years ago i ran a print shop with my partner, we only had one manual 6 color press and we did everything in house. If a client came in with their own films we had no problems using them, the only issue was that sometimes the seps weren't well done for the techniques we were using (this was only an issue once or twice in about 10 years tho).

i've heard some print shops that refuse to use seps from other shops as they may not work for them (too much trapping or not enough, different halftone lpi, ect..)

sorry for not giving a straight answer... i take all factors into account :/

 

[PositiveDave]

repro bureau or repro house

 

[JHanching]

scpy27,

Find a color separator somewhere on the planet. They can set up the files and e-mail to you or your local film output provider. Also, avoid vellum if you can. That's so 1980's...

 

[PositiveDave]

pm me, I'll have a look at them.

 

[No Face]

If you know how to color separate your designs yourself you could just take them to kinko's to get printed. I know that sounds crazy and maybe a little ghetto but it works. The only problem is that their machines could only handle 1): substrate that is made for laserprinters and 2): substrate no bigger than 13 x 19. They'll tell you they can't do it or that their machines won't take that kind of paper, but that's only if you have someone that doesn't know s#!* helping you. Someone that actually know what they're doing will be able to do it for you. If you still get someone who doesn't know....Sweet talk them and tell them that they should try to change their setting to standard paper instead of transparency paper, and to 12.99 inches instead of 13 inches. It works for me, but some of these people on here will probably say I'm crazy or bash me somehow......I can't wait. I Love Haters