News
The Basics of Mixing Emulsion and Coating a Screen
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.
3 Ways to Spot Frozen Emulsion and How to Handle it
It's that time of year again. There is a bite to the air, frost on your car windows, there might even be a dusting of snow outside your front door. Why does this affect your screen print shop? Screen printers need to be conscious of both what you order and when you order it.
Screen Coating Basics Live Stream
Every screen print starts in the darkroom, and every screen starts with a good coat of emulsion. Follow along as darkroom expert Colin Huggins walks through the basics of mixing dual cure emulsion and coating screens.
XY Versus XYZ Micros: What’s the Difference?
There are a lot of options when it comes to buying a screen printing press. Before you even purchase a press, you have to consider versatility, budget, production volume, and so many other factors. One small component of screen printing presses that often gets overlooked is micro registration. Even if you’re taking micros into account, which do you go with? Are XY or XYZ micros better to have on a press? Let’s talk about why micro registration is important and the differences between XY and XYZ micros so you can make the best choice for your shop.
3 Steps for Mixing Your Own Colored Shimmer Ink
Who doesn’t love a bit of shimmer? While shimmer inks like Silver or Gold shine bright on their own, sometimes a little color brightens the whole print. Mixing colored shimmer inks takes a bit of experimenting, and can be super fun to test out. Here’s a three-step guide to mixing colored shimmer inks.
How Screen Printing Constantly Evolves to Fit an Ever-Changing World
Screen printing is a wide, diverse industry. From its start in the Song Dynasty to its current variations, the trade has taken on a whole new look. But what is screen printing? How has it evolved over hundreds of years? Let’s take a look.
Tips for Adding Many FN-INK™ Specialties into the Same Design
With seven new specialty inks from FN-INK™, there’s a lot to explore. Gold, silver, puff, extender base, and many other inks and additives all create different awesome effects. With so much to experiment with, why not try to add as many specialty inks in one design as possible? Print expert Colin Huggins is on the case.
A Guide to Firing up Your T-Shirt Printing Side Hustle
Need some extra cash? Want to diversify your income? Starting a side hustle is a great way to earn some extra money while doing something you love. Screen printing is a great side hustle to start up. Dip your toes in with a small press and take the craft as far as you want. Let’s talk about why you’d want a side hustle, what you’ll need, and how to be successful at it.
Why Every Screen Printer Needs a Heat Press in their Shop
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.
How to Start Screen Printing T-Shirts at Home
Screen printing is a unique industry. Printers take a blank shirt and turn it into a work of art. You can make anything out of the trade, whether that’s a hobby or a full-time gig. Stepping into screen printing can be a little intimidating. There’s so much to learn, and it’s a guarantee that you’ll make mistakes along the way. So where do you start? Let’s walk through what you’ll need to start screen printing and the best ways to learn the craft.
Screen Printing Hoodie Basics
It’s hoodie season again! Got questions about printing on everyone’s favorite cold-weather garment? Josh Wells walks through the basics of printing on hoodies, proudly provided by SanMar, and answers questions from real printers about the ins and outs of hoodie screen printing.
Streamline Your Printing Prep Process with These 6 Tips
A screen printing job takes a lot of man hours. The whole process, from art prep to screen reclaim, takes time and effort to constantly hone in processes and learn from mistakes. The pre-press process — everything you do before setting up the press for a print run — is a big part of the screen printing process. Want to improve productivity and streamline this process? Here are six ways to dial in the pre-press process.
