News
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.
How to Get the Perfect Pocket Print Placement on Press
Placing pocket prints or left chest prints perfectly on a shirt is tough. You don't want the print to end up in the armpit or on the neckline of the shirt. Jonathan Overmyer from Golden Press Studio has shared his process of placing pocket prints on press. Check out their video to learn one of the many ways you can ace this print.
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.
Don't be Scared to Print with Water-Based Inks. Be Prepared.
Printing with water-based ink is a whole new ball game compared to plastisol ink. One of the challenges of water-based inks is achieving proper cure. With water-based inks, the water needs to evaporate before the pigment can cure. Having equipment with forced air is the most efficient way to cure water-based inks. Not every printer can get his or her hands on a forced air conveyor dryer, but investing in a forced air flash dryer is more feasible.
How to Achieve Matte or Glossy Prints
Wondering how to adjust the final looks of the ink? (Is it too shiny? Want it to look dull? Or is it dull and you want it to look shiny?) Let's look into it.
How to Screen Print on Face Masks
Face masks aren't going away. Businesses are buying them for their employees. Citizens are wearing them when they run errands. Face masks are a way people can contribute to protecting others, slowing the spread, and flattening the curve. As the demand for face masks rises, so will the need for personalization on the face masks. In our latest video, CVO Ryan Moor shows how to tackle screen printing on cloth face masks.
Feed Your Brain - Creative Overview of Screen Printing an Event Design
Each year in July we have a cook off between the different departments within Ryonet. Marketing and Web got the honor to kick it off this year with...
