News
Why DIY Screen Printers Should Use LED bulbs for Screen Exposures
It’s no secret that LED exposure is the new standard. It’s more economical, less wasteful, provides stronger stencil development, and allows printers to do more with a screen. LED exposure is now the standard for DIY printers, too. But what’s the big deal? How do DIY printers use an LED bulb as opposed to a UV bulb? Stick around to find out.
Tips for Exposing Screen Printing Screens with the Sun
Proper screen exposure is vital to getting that perfect print. Purchasing an exposure unit can be pricey. There’s one option that many printers turn to: the power of the sun. You can use the sun as your exposure unit. But should you? Let’s go over how to expose a screen in the sun and potential issues you might encounter.
4 Materials to Screen Print that Aren’t T-Shirts
One of the many great things about screen printing is that you don’t have to print only on t-shirts. You can print on just about anything — cardboard boxes, tote bags, and wood are a few examples. These items are pretty common in the screen printing industry, and knowing the nuances as well as a few tricks can help you take on those orders with confidence. Let’s dive in.
How You Can Make a T-Shirt Design in Procreate
Have a ton of great t-shirt ideas but don't know how to design them? Graphic Designer Cory Romesier of Golden Press Studio will walk you through how you can create your own design in Procreate. He'll share helpful insights about Procreate, tricks you can utilize to take the design to the next level, and how to mock it up on a shirt. Check it out.
Everything You Need to Know about Building Your Own DIY Dry Box
Whether you’ve just coated screens with emulsion, cleaned them up, or reclaimed them for a new job, having a safe, storing those screens in a dry environment is important to the process. Finding the perfect space for those screens may be complicated. Why not build your own? Darkroom guru Colin Huggins shows you how to create a dry box to keep those screens safe and get them to dry faster.
How PRNT SCRN Screen Printing Stays True to its DIY Roots
When a person decides they want to screen print, there’s a ton to learn. Some may be discouraged by that idea, others love the challenge. Josh Dykstra, owner of PRNT SCRN Screen Printing, thrives off of learning new, complex forms of art. For Josh, screen printing started as a hobby, then moved to a side-hustle as he learned the trade. His business has only grown from there.
Should DIY Screen Printers Get a Riley Hopkins 150 Press or a DIY Press?
If you’re just starting your screen printing journey, you might be a little overwhelmed. With the sheer amount of equipment options available, there’s a lot to decide. Choosing which press to buy is the first and most important step of getting started. But which press should you buy? Let’s compare two beginner presses: the DIY press and the Riley Hopkins 150.
Do DIY Printers Need a Flash Dryer? Salt & Pine Co. Shares Her Experience
Getting into screen printing is expensive. Many printers start off with a heat gun as a curing device. It’s cheap, and it does the job. Once the orders start piling up, heat guns don’t cut it anymore. They slow down the process and aren’t consistent. What should a printer upgrade to that doesn’t cost a lot? Consider a flash dryer. Amanda Dunnigan, owner of Salt & Pine Co., added a flash dryer to her shop and shares how it has impacted her production.
Buying New vs. Used Screen Printing Equipment
So you’re thinking about buying some screen printing equipment. Where should you buy it from? Should you buy brand-new products, or find used equipment from other printers? Printing experts Colin Huggins and Darryl Sapp discuss the benefits and drawbacks of buying new and used screen printing equipment for your shop.
How to Print T-Shirts
Ready to make your own apparel, but not sure where to start? Sounds like you need a guide on how to print t-shirts. In this 10-step guide, you'll learn about every process: making the artwork, preparing screens, printing, curing, and cleaning. Learn how to print t-shirts today, and start printing tomorrow.
Everything You Need to Know about Making a Darkroom in a Closet, Bathroom, and Garage
To get the best screen possible, you need the best darkroom setup. If your print shop is in your home, you might have to get creative with your darkroom. Setting up an effective darkroom can be challenging, but Darkroom expert Colin Huggins has you covered. In this post, he shares tips and nuances for constructing home darkrooms in a closet, a bathroom, and a garage.
Best Practices for Printing on Tie-Dye
Tie-dye is versatile and popular, especially in the spring and summer. Who doesn’t want to wear all those swirling colors?! Whether you’re dying the shirt yourself or buying pre-dyed garments, you can screen print on it. Expert Colin Huggins shares tips and best practices for printing on tie-dyed garments.
