Screen printing basic equipment - should I build my own?

Re: Screen printing basics?

no you can buy the screens just make sure they fit and the mesh is all acording to what you print. you can buy an exposure unit theyre a little expensive or you can just by a costruction halogeen at lowes or whatevers for like 14 bucks its just as cheap. what you do have to figure is how are you gonna cure the tees through a conveyor or a flash or a heat gun

Re: Screen printing basics?

ps.

alotta ppl have built this press and ive heard good thing s about them you can look it on the search type in diy screen printing press.

Re: Screen printing basics?

I saw the diy press but I dont wanna buy the video or whatever its $25..

In this video they dont cure...
wait what is curing?
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee_8IMx0uMo[/media]

Re: Screen printing basics?

The above pictured press is perhaps one of the easier ones to DIY if you are handy with tools. you should also have a good idea of how a rotary press works as well as its registration system. If not, just go for a ryonet silver press. It may cost more but it will save you lots of time and headaches.

What types of press have your friends built? Would you happen to have pictures of them?

Lastly, if you are serious with screen printing other that just a passing hobby, the avoid the yudu at all costs. Haven't seen one personally but the pictures and videos speak tonnes about it.

Re: Screen printing basics?

I want to spend as little money as possible just to get the feel of screen printing.. then later go all out.

Im pretty good with building, I built a 5ft half pipe for skating in one day all by myself..

fyi: I have more than enough wood to build the press and exposure box I just need to buy hardware.

Re: Screen printing basics?

I say buold it and try it out curing is the process after you print its basicly drying the ink . if you dont dry it write it willl come out when whashed alotta people start of with a heat gun but that can get tiring if your taking out large orders .

Re: Screen printing basics?

Much more precision is needed for a press plus the moving parts makes things a little different. Anyway, the press is really not that sophisticated and if you have the free time then it would be a nice challenge.

But if getting the feel of screen printing is the ultimate goal you can do it the asian way with what is referred to as the long or line table system. If you plan on using plastisols and would just like to get the feel of screen printing, this is pretty much easy and cheap to set up and get you going. Nothing fancy though but gets you starting in no time at a cost next to nothing. Serves your goal "to spend as little money as possible just to get the feel of screen printing". From there, you can make your decisions.

This is an example with only 4 platens (unlimited colors).
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4H3cKmF6FSU&feature=related[/media]10 platens multi color
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWc7iJGxOLs&feature=related[/media]A 12 platen operation multi color
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J2yBils2Gw&feature=related[/media]Operations like these can also get real big with close to 100 platens.
Search serigrafia on youtube for more

Re: Screen printing basics?

Ok I'll build my own, any body got any plans to build a light box??

I found this bulb..
http://www.topbulb.com/find/Product_Description.asp_Q_intProductID_E_44151

Re: Screen printing basics?

I finished most of the screen press today...

Re: Screen printing basics?

Dddmx3 said:

I finished most of the screen press today...

Click to expand...

Some pics may be nice.

Re: Screen printing basics?

Im at work, I'll put some up later. I still have to get some 90 degree angles somewhere...

Re: Screen printing basics?

Heres a vid for yah.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4IK1tF6JmY[/media]

Re: Screen printing basics?

what kind of light source are you using for your exposure box?

Re: Screen printing basics?

Im using 4 20watt tubes 24in t8

Re: Screen printing basics?

are you using weight to hold the screen to the glass or are you going for a vacume hold down?

Re: Screen printing basics?

I have no idea how to make a vacume lid so im just going to put weight

Where would you get the stuff for serigrafia. Or where would you get the instructions in english.

Serigrafia = silkscreen?

silkscreeningsupplies.com

I was referring to the style of screen printing in the videos. No the typical manual press. Sorry for the confusion.