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3 Easy Steps To Screen Print On Wood
Screen printing doesn’t have to just be about printing t-shirts. You can print on just about anything with the right tools and process. One unique material to print on is wood. It’s a fun process that can make you stand out from the pack as a screen printer. Want to know how to do it? Here’s a step-by-step guide to screen printing on wood.
Preparing Art and Screen Printing CMYK with Water-Based Inks
Have you ever wanted to screen print CMYK, but didn't know where to start? Here's a crash course. In the video, print expert Colin Huggins shows you how to do CMYK color separation in Photoshop and how to screen print a photo in CMYK using water-based inks.
Best Practices for Screen Printing Water-Based Ink on Black Posters
Printing posters are a great way to test out prints and get your work past the t-shirt industry. With the proper technique and a little bit of patience, you can print great looking posters without needing an advanced print shop setup. Cory Romeiser, art director at Golden Press Studio, decided to dip his toes into poster printing. He printed a two-color design on black poster (something he’s never done before).
How to Prepare A Screen For Water-Based Printing
Prepping a screen for water-based inks can be a little more tricky than plastisol. The print deposit is thinner, the ink dries on the screen over time, and the ink can potentially break down emulsion faster than plastisol ink would. Because of this, you need a good screen to get a good print. Let’s go through the process of making a screen so you’re prepared for your next water-based job.
How to Start Water-Based Printing
Water-based ink is becoming more and more popular. With more shops turning to greener methods, printing with water-based ink can be nicer on the environment and your health. Many printers believe that water-based printing is more challenging than printing with plastisol. If you step into it the right way, water-based printing can actually be easier and save you time and money.
Why Salt & Pine Co. Prefers to Print with Plastisol Ink rather than Water-Based
A handful of screen printers start out using water-based ink. For some hobbyists and DIY printers, it’s a more forgiving ink to learn the ropes with (for some, others find plastisol easier). If you make a mistake, you can wash it out. But water-based ink does have its drawbacks if you don’t have the proper tools. Sometimes, making the switch to plastisol ink is worth it. Amanda Dunigan, creator of Salt & Pine Co., shares her experience when she switched from water-based to plastisol ink.
What is the Purpose of Emulsion Hardener?
Ever had a stencil break down during production? It sucks. Unless you have backup screens ready, production will come to a halt. Your time is valuable. For jobs that need tougher screens, use emulsion hardener to save you time and money.
A Guide to Printing on Youth Apparel
Printing on youth apparel seems simple, right? Everything is smaller, but as long as you size everything to fit, it shouldn’t be a problem. Turns out, it’s a little more complicated than that. The Customer Protection Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), has enforced safety regulations on children and youth products for more than a decade. Let’s dive into it and find out what it means for you.
Printing with Plastisol vs. Water Based Ink
Screen printers debate which is better: plastisol or water-based ink. Some printers start out with plastisol ink, while others opt to jump right into water-based printing. But how are they different? Why would you use one over the other? Ink master Colin Huggins lays out the differences and nuances to printing each type of ink. You’ll be able to decide which ink is best for your shop.
Is Water Based Printing Right For You?
Intrigued by water-based inks? Water-based inks are great because they feel so soft on the garment and simple to print basic jobs, but it becomes challenging when printing complex art and it requires more legwork. Whether you’re ready for a new challenge or you received a request from a customer, printing with water-based inks is a whole new ball game compared to printing plastisol inks. Ink master Colin Huggins has shared helpful knowledge you need to know about water-based printing to help you decide if it’s right for you.
How to Print Your Own Custom Boxes
Why bother customizing the boxes you ship garments in? It's actually a small, but significant way to stand out from the crowd and look incredibly professional. That package is the customer's first impression of your business, why not make it a good one? Luckily, it's fairly easy to print on cardboard boxes. Rogue Lab Owner Lee Stuart breaks down every step of the process — from creating the artwork to curing the ink — so you can customize your own boxes effortlessly.
A Checklist for Equipment and Supplies Needed to Start Up a Screen Print Shop
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.
