What is Minimum Order Quantity and Why Does it Matter?  | Screenprinting.com

What is Minimum Order Quantity and Why Does it Matter?

Jacelyn Wedman
Every printer wants to make money. You don’t want to lose profit on a job, but don’t want to turn potential customers away. So what do you do? Set a minimum order quantity. A minimum order quantity will ensure that you are putting in the effort that isn’t going to waste. It also can help weed out customers who aren’t committed to quality like you are. Get your calculators out; this is going to take a bit of math. Don’t worry though. Here’s everything you need to find your minimum order quantity for every job.
How To Dial In Exposure Times Using An Exposure Calculator  | Screenprinting.com

How To Dial In Exposure Times Using An Exposure Calculator

Jacelyn Wedman
Figuring out exposure times is one of the most difficult tasks in screen printing.  If you're struggling, you're not alone. The best thing you can do is invest in a 21-Step Exposure Calculator. How does it work? Let's dive in.
A Checklist of Equipment & Supplies Needed to Start Screen Print Shop  | Screenprinting.com

A Checklist of Equipment & Supplies Needed to Start Screen Print Shop

Sage Larson
Ready to start screen printing? It's a big jump, but it's so worth it. To build your shop, you will need to obtain some equipment and supplies. Our Sales and Success Team put together a handy check list of everything you should consider investing in your future shop.
Calculate screen printing profits for a DIY printer in 4 steps  | Screenprinting.com

Calculate Screen Printing Profits for a DIY Printer in 4 Steps

Jacelyn Wedman
One of the scariest parts of screen printing is turning a profit. Printers want to make a profit and stay competitive, but not price too high or too low. How do you make a profit in DIY screen printing? Let’s follow the blog “A Guide to Pricing Screen Printed Garments and Turning a Profit” and take a look at four steps to turning DIY screen printing into a profit. 
Why Should I Start Screen Printing?  | Screenprinting.com

Why Should I Start Screen Printing?

Jacelyn Wedman
Screen printing is a challenging, creative process. Many screen printers start out as a hobby, or get into the trade through other means of garment decorating, like vinyl or embroidery. Stepping into screen printing doesn’t have to be a big investment, but it can have big effects on your business. Let’s talk about what it takes to start screen printing, and how it can be combined with other aspects of garment decoration.
How to Screen Print White FN-INK™ on a Black Shirt with a Smoothing Screen  | Screenprinting.com

How to Print White Plastisol Ink on a Black Shirt with a Smoothing Screen

Sage Larson
Printing white ink on black shirts is a popular design combination. For this design choice to be most effective, the ink needs to be clean and bright. For the best results, printers should use a smoothing screen. Want to learn how to do it? Print expert Colin Huggins has the answers.
3 Ways to Create Soft Prints with Plastisol Ink  | Screenprinting.com

3 Ways to Create Soft Prints with Plastisol Ink

Jacelyn Wedman
Soft hand prints are best achieved with water-based ink but can be done with plastisol ink as well. Between the inks you choose to use, the garments you're printing on, to the available ink additives, achieving soft plastisol prints is possible. Let's take a look at three ways to create soft hand prints with plastisol ink.

 

Best Practices to Ensure Proper Ink Curing with 4 Curing Methods  | Screenprinting.com

Best Practices to Ensure Proper Ink Curing with 4 Curing Methods

Sage Larson
Curing your prints is one of the last steps of the screen printing process, but it is one of the most important steps. Ink needs to be cured properly so it sets into the garment. If the ink does not cure fully, it will crack, fall apart, and not last for long. Printers use either heat guns, heat pressesflash dryers, or conveyor dryers to cure inks. Let's take a look at how each curing device works.
How to Handle Plastisol Ink in Cool Temperatures  | Screenprinting.com

How to Handle Plastisol Ink in Cool Temperatures

Sage Larson
Are you dreaming about warm summer days when your ink flows oh so smoothly? Winter and its cooler temperatures sure make it difficult for a screen printer, especially with white plastisol inks. The ink feels thick, stringy, and stiff. It requires more effort to lay down a good ink deposit. Does it have to be this hard? Nope. Ink and chemistry guru Colin Huggins shares his secrets to making white plastisol ink easier to handle during the cooler months. 
Best Practices for Setting Up Shop in Your Garage  | Screenprinting.com

The Best Way to Set up a Screen Print Shop in a Garage

Sage Larson

Tons of print shops start off in basements, spare rooms, and garages. Think about it, they're already investing a good chunk of cash into purchasing the equipment and supplies, why not set up shop in a space they have already paid for? 

Print expert Darryl Sapp shares his past experiences of working in a garage shop, offering best practices to make the most efficient workflow in the space you have. 

The Basics of Mixing Emulsion and Coating a Screen  | Screenprinting.com

The Basics of Mixing Emulsion and Coating a Screen

Jacelyn Wedman
Not all emulsions respond the same when coating screens: some emulsions require adjustments in pressure and speed, depending on the emulsion thickness and the type of mesh you're working with on your screen. The end result should give a nice glisten that makes a great stencil for your next screen printing job. Darkroom expert Colin Huggins is on the case.
Why Every Screen Printer Needs a Heat Press in their Shop  | Screenprinting.com

Why Every Screen Printer Needs a Heat Press in their Shop

Jacelyn Wedman

A heat press is a great tool and has tons of uses. Many screen printers start by heat pressing transfers onto t-shirts, tote bags, or other garments. Heat presses can be used to cure garments, and are great for printing at live events. Let’s talk about all the benefits of having a heat press, and what you’ll need to be successful.