Hey Guys, so I have been looking to get into the Screen Printing Business and need some help. Any information is greatly appreciated of course. I'm currently searching for a reliable printer to purchase, what should I be considering? Whats most cost effective for me? How about certain types of inks? Want to be as cost effective in everything I do at the start, but want to make sure I'm getting the right stuff. What type of paper do I need? Anything and everything is helpful and once again I really appreciate everything!!!
New to Screen Printing -- HELP PLEASE!!
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Well first of all, are you talking about screen printing or heat transfers? I'm going to give you a list of different types of fabric decoration. Next take each type and go to youtube and watch some videos about them to get a better idea of what is involved with each kind.
screen printing with plastisol ink
screen printing with water based ink
plastisol transfers
foil transfers
vinyl transfers
rhinestone application
inkjet heat transfers
laser heat transfers
sublimation
self weeding transfers
direct to garment printing
embroidery
flocking
That should keep you busy for a few days. Learn about each kind and when you find one you might like to do, then do some serious research on it.
screen printing with plastisol ink
screen printing with water based ink
plastisol transfers
foil transfers
vinyl transfers
rhinestone application
inkjet heat transfers
laser heat transfers
sublimation
self weeding transfers
direct to garment printing
embroidery
flocking
That should keep you busy for a few days. Learn about each kind and when you find one you might like to do, then do some serious research on it.
Screen Printing with the inks, I am very NEW, and need as much help as I can. I really appreciate the post as well. Another question would be what type of programs are expected? Can you get away without using the RIP software and all that being it's so expensive? TY
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Go to Screen Printing Supplies, Screen Printing Equipment & Screen Printing Kits and on the right side of the screen you will see the semi-pro kit for $1,000. That's the one you want to start off with. It has everything in it that you will need. Except for the Epson 1400 printer and black max ink. It also does not have software. You will need CorelDraw x6. If you want to do halftones or CMYK printing you will need the RIP software. You can also go to advancedtshirts.com - advancedtshirts.com and get the Simple Seps software. And to make life really easy while you're there get the Design Basic and Fashion Factory software. And their brushes and stuff.
I have Accurip but I haven't used it yet because I haven't done halftones yet. And yes it is very expensive.
I have Accurip but I haven't used it yet because I haven't done halftones yet. And yes it is very expensive.
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I am going to say you do not need a RIP especially if you get simple seps. Simple seps will convert to halftones. You can also convert to halftones in Photoshop. There is also ghoustrip which is free but takes some reading and setup. You can get good results from any of these methods. In the screen print section I posted a thread for printing film 100% cmyk tonight so you can print all channels without a rip also.
I was reading a couple diff. posts about the Epson 1100 which is cheaper, what's the difference outside of price? Can I get away with the 1100? I noticed some were saying they had to double up on the paper used. I have purchased one of those kits, it actually arrived today but did not have time to mess with it yet. I am really searching for a printer, inks, and possibly programs to use. I have downloaded the photoshop trial version currently. Once again, Thanks for all the tips.
I have been scanning the board for all information. What are the main mistakes people make when starting out? Is it better to buy the actual screens with the emulsion if I don't have as much time? Or once you get the process down it's no big deal?
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http://www.t-shirtforums.com/screen-printing/t186059.html. This method will only require 1 film. Will produce very dark films. This will work with 1100
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I think most people make the biggest mistake not researching and taking the time to read through the threads. Both the 1100 and the 1400 have been discontinued so finding either right now is going to be rough. Both can handle larger prints. You can get black max ink for the 1400, not sure if you can get it for the 1100 or not. You won't be using paper, you'll be using transparency film. I wouldn't waste the money buying screens that already have emulsion on them. Emulsion is only good for a few months. It doesn't take that much effort to prep a screen. Burning the screens is where most trouble happens. And besides, once you burn them and you're done with that design you have to clean the screen and put new emulsion on it anyway, so you better get used to doing it.
Okay, so locate an epson 1100 or 1400 (max black ink) waterproof transparency paper-- Whats the deal with burning the images? What do you typically run into with that? I have a 16 X 16 Econo Flash with the kit I purchased -- will this do?? This may be a dumb question but ultimately if you adjust the size of the picuture (Ex: Printing a smaller logo on the left chest of a shirt) does it distort the images at all?
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The Epson B1100 is a fine printer. I can see few real reasons to spend the extra ££ on the 1400.
Blackmax is only available if you're using Accurip if I remember correctly. You could technically use a CISS or refillable cartridges and fill them all with black ink but you wouldn't have the control over ink deposition that a proper RIP gives you.
For all the other questions; the answers are out there if you actually take the time to do proper searches. Try here first: Catspit Screen Printing Forum - Topics Based on Learning How to Screen Print Tee Shirts
Blackmax is only available if you're using Accurip if I remember correctly. You could technically use a CISS or refillable cartridges and fill them all with black ink but you wouldn't have the control over ink deposition that a proper RIP gives you.
For all the other questions; the answers are out there if you actually take the time to do proper searches. Try here first: Catspit Screen Printing Forum - Topics Based on Learning How to Screen Print Tee Shirts
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If you got your kit from Ryonet you should have gotten a DVD in there that goes into all the details about screen printing in detail. The econoflash is the flash dryer and that's the same think I have.
When you get into the graphic end of things you will want to use either Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW x3 or above. These are both vector programs which is what you will need. There are vector programs that are available online for free too but I don't know what they're called. If you images are in vector you can make them as big or as little as you want without distortion. If you used a raster based program the images would pixalate when enlarged.
When you get into the graphic end of things you will want to use either Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW x3 or above. These are both vector programs which is what you will need. There are vector programs that are available online for free too but I don't know what they're called. If you images are in vector you can make them as big or as little as you want without distortion. If you used a raster based program the images would pixalate when enlarged.
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See, that is what Loretta wanted to tell you in the first place...
Screen Printing 101Training DVD | eBay
She gets royalties from every copy sold for her shining testimonial and endorsement.
(Just kidding...Hi, Loretta)
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and you dont necessarily need special ink with a WF1100, I've been printing dark films with epson ink for years, just have to have your settings right.
I have zero issues with fine halftones and detail.
I like having the ability to print photos as well as positives with one printer.
I have zero issues with fine halftones and detail.
I like having the ability to print photos as well as positives with one printer.
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I have a 1400. But I still use my 3000 everday and have for quite a few years. I actually have 2. Bought them used on E-bay and have had very few issues. One criticism is that it's slow. But that's relative and depends on how you manage time. I print films as I'm printing shirts, reclaiming screens etc. What I really like is that it has a setting "Backlight Transparency" that produces very dark image. For halftoning I use free application Ghostscript.
Refurbished 3000's are available.
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Ok so after reading all these posts I'd like to add my opinion. You dont need any expensive software except a art program. You can get photoshop cs2 up to cs5. Or illustrator, or corel. And you don't need corel6 either. For a starter go download the latest ghostscript, and then download gs view. They work just fine, and they are free. Next I use an Epson1400 , but the 1100. Works well to. The 1100 is pigment based and the 1400 is dye based I believe. Ink for he1100 is cheaper. Next, watch as many YouTube videos and posts on this forum as you can. I got my first set up from ryonet. It's great and I love it, however If I had to do it again I would have bought used. There is a guy on digitsmith right now selling a nice riley Hopkins 4/4 with exposure and flash for a good price. The presses are pretty solid and as long as its not 20 years old or beat to hell should still run well even if it needs some tweaking. But most importantly do your research. Don't just ask for answers. There are a lot of people that just want to sell you something that you can do yourself with just a bit of practice.
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You goofball. I wish he gave me royalties, I could be rich.. lol
I got the DVD long before getting a kit. I went about it the hard way and started with a yudu and some Ryonet DVDs and chemicals and inks, and a flash dryer. A few months later I got the semi-pro kit and was able to lob off a few duplicate parts from it.
That DVD goes into enough detail to walk you through the entire process step by step. I keep it handy for when I need to go over things that I haven't done in a while. And if the instructions are followed to a T you won't have any issues. He already covers what happens if you do this or that, and if this comes out like that what does it mean. I do recommend the DVD even if you don't get the kit. Ryan.. still waiting for my royalty check...
Appreciate all the in-put. I will be sitting down tomorrow to wach the DVD's that came with the kit. I look forward to getting started, and want to thank everyone for their input. Please do not hesistate to let me know of any other details/programs I could use.
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