[Mosstone]

I have an order for 300 nylon windbreakers with a print on both sleeves just below the shoulder. I don't get a lot of requests for sleeve prints on windbreakers, but when I do, it's usually a small order and I just print them on a regular sleeve pallet, but it's a fidgity, time-consuming process to print and maintain image quality...

I often think it might go smoother if I had a hold-down device for sleeves, similar to the hold-down I use for jacket backs (and fronts), but in all my years screen printing (since the late '80s) I've never come across such a device, and a general Google search has yielded no results.

Does such a device exist? Or will I have to MacGyver something myself? I can't say I've printed a whole lot of windbreaker sleeves before now, but I can't imagine I'm the first person to have a need for something like this. I just don't want to imagine how long it will take to print 600 windbreaker sleeves without something to reliably hold them down.

 

[Industryps]

Just curious here, but if the jackets don't have a lining in the sleeve, what prevents you from being able to use the normal tack of your choice and print them like a long-sleeved tee?
Is it multi-color or a large print?

 

[Mosstone]

These are nylon windbreakers with a flannel lining... That's the problem.

I can print them without a hold-down, I just think it'll go quicker, and easier with one.

 

[Industryps]

Ah, makes sense. You're totally right.
Just Googled " sleeve hold down for screen printing" and found this.
and this
Looks like they do exist, just have to reach out to the MFG.

 

[Mosstone]

Thanks... I've been to that site, but I didn't notice they will make these in custom sizes. Unfortunately, I don't have time to wait to have something custom made. I'm getting the jackets on Monday, and they have to be finished by the end of the week. But that's something to consider for the future. Thanks again!

 

[Dizzymarkus]

Can you just "pinch" the under parts of the sleeve with spring clamp.. not sure of the exact name -- just something to pinch the under tight and keep it in place

 

[Mosstone]

Thanks for the suggestion, Markus, but that would have been way too time-consuming for 300 jackets (printed on both sleeves!

I ended up printing them on a small, T-shirt sleeve pallet (it was a 'badge' type image printed high up on the sleeve). I just pre-flashed before printing to get rid of most of the wrinkles, and made sure the flannel lining wasn't bunched up under the nylon.

Using a short pallet was a big help. It would have been a much bigger pain to smooth out the lining if I had to use a long sleeve pallet.

Out of 600 prints, I had no mishaps. There were also a number of quilted 'bomber' jackets in the order that I wasn't aware of when I first posted. A couple of those got ganked, but the vast majority of them came out fine.

 

[Industryps]

Awesome, can you show pics?

 

[Mosstone]

Awesome, can you show pics?

Attached is a close-up of the printed image.

 

[Industryps]

Really nice! Did you do a double pass or were you able to get it in one hit? Looks nice and opaque.

 

[Mosstone]

Really nice! Did you do a double pass or were you able to get it in one hit? Looks nice and opaque.

Thanks.. That was just one hit. Even with a hold-down, it would be pretty tricky to p/f/p (mostly due to shrinkage). Without a hold-down, it's downright impossible.

Opacity has never been a problem for me on nylon, anyway... Dye migration though, that's another story.

I use International Coatings Nylon (900 Series) ink with catalyst, but I've never had problems with other brands.