Our team has over 100+ combined years of experience in the screen printing industry and we’re here to help you realize your printing goals. Our hands-on class will immerse you in the screen printing experience with two full days of instruction at Ryonet Headquarters in the beautiful city of Vancouver, Washington.
Our curriculum encompasses everything from production oriented separations and darkroom techniques to intricate multi-color registration; all hands-on with state-of-the-art Riley Hopkins Presses, equipment, supplies, and ROQ Automated Printing.
Bring your team or come on your own to master the skills needed to produce the highest quality prints. Whether you’re running a weekend warrior garage print shop or a print production facility, this class is set up for educating any printer who wants to understand the Who, What, Why and especially the HOW of screen printing. This class is not just for printers who have been in the industry for a long time. This class is intended for those who have been in the industry long enough to know that there is MORE they can do with their tools and who want to become a better Screen Printer.
Even if you’ve taken a previous course in screen printing; this class will deepen your understanding, streamline your processes, and elevate your screen printing skills. This high-value learning experience comes at an accessible price, but don't delay - our classes fill up fast every month!
Note: Our commitment to safety and excellence means this class is exclusively for those aged 16 and above.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT CLASS FOR YOU
Are you new to screen printing and have never used a squeegee or printed a shirt? Our BASICS class is the perfect start for you. If you have some experience, such as having printed before and coated screens, and are looking to elevate your ability and skills, this INTERMEDIATE class would be a good fit. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!
WHAT/WHEN/WHERE
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Where: Ryonet Headquarters, 12303 NE 56th St, Vancouver, WA 98682
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Time: Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Saturday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
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Day 1: Delve deep into understanding and maximizing the tools used in screen printing, then use those tools in hands-on sessions to solidify your learning.
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Day 2: Apply the techniques and tips from Day 1, Dive deep into plastisol inks and how to manipulate them to maximize on press functionality. Creating prints that cause buyers to recognize the talent in your shop.
TOPICS COVERED
- Printing films through RIP Software: Basic RIP’s Vs In Depth Rip’s, Film density and dot creation
- Dot Gain
- Proper screen clean-up/reclaim procedures
- Setting up and maintaining your dark room
- Direct to Screen
- Measuring and maintaining EOM: Impact of Emulsion Solids count for EOM
- Thin Thread Do’s and Don'ts / EOM
- Choosing the right mesh for your art
- Lining up film to screen and using a pre-registration template: 3 point system with CTS
- Proper understanding on how to expose a screen: EOM for detail resolution
- Testing Proper Exposure time and stencil durability
- Registration and proper off contact: Dialing in super tight registration
- Proper screen printing techniques: Manual and Automatic
- Overview of different apparel types and how that affects your print: Carded Open End, Ring Spun, Polyester
- Stampinator / Smoothing Screen
- What inks to use on different fabric types and why
- ROQ Auto demonstration
- Spot color printing and Halftones
- Wet on Wet printing with Halftones / Sim Process
- Simulated process printing
- Special Effects
- Discharge / Water Base
KEY HIGHLIGHTS & BENEFITS
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Decades of Mastery: With over 100 years of combined experience, our team at Ryonet headquarters is a treasure trove of knowledge and expertise. This location allows for seeing the RyonetMFG manufacturing process. Come see how Riley’s are made!
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Apparel: Print on a variety of blank tees (8-10 total!), featuring different brands, materials, and colors that you’ll take home with you. Thank you to our education apparel partners - Allmade, Sanmar, and Lane Seven.
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Pioneers of Education: Our original Screen Print Experience class has set industry standards, making it the preferred choice for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
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Networking Opportunities: Our classes are always full of really great people, come meet other printers from all over the world with a shared interest! Printing & happy hour on Friday starting at 3:30 pm
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Food & Drink: Provided coffee, continental breakfast, refreshments, and lunch over both days (with vegetarian/vegan options) Please reach out to support@ryonet.com if you have specific dietary needs.
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Invest in YOU: We believe in Educate First. You and your team are your most valuable investment. The more you learn about the screen printing process and the business of screen printing, the more prepared for opportunities you will be.
CLASS EQUIPMENT
During your class, we will have various equipment available for hands-on use and demonstrations. Here is a list of what you can expect at our facility.
INSTRUCTOR BIO
Colin Huggins
Colin started screen printing in the fall of 1996. He took a job working for a resort wear company in the Seattle area that had 5 automatic presses. He began with the simple job of unloading shirts. That first print was a spoof on the Grateful Dead by an Alaskan Artist Ray Troll called: The Baitful Dead. He was hooked. The fishing puns continued with the first print job he set up by himself, a 2 color print called shadow of a trout. 3 months into his job, Colin was setting up and running the press. At 6 months he was training new employees on set up and use of the Automatic presses.
After deciding that screen printing was a lot of fun (and it looked like something he could make a real living doing) Colin decided to take a deep dive into everything screen printing. Over the next 5 years Colin learned Illustrator, Photoshop, and how to color separate within photoshop, dark room and pre-press, stretching screens and understanding mesh. Everything from after the order is created through to fulfillment. This culminated in his efforts winning an Impressions Manual Screen print award for Sim Process in 2003 for the shop he was working at.
In 2006 Colin began work for QCM Inks (currently an ink brand in the Avient stable of inks). While there he made quick friends with those working in the Lab and was introduced to how inks were made and what makes each ink different. Suddenly things started to make a lot more sense! After QCM was purchased by Rutland (now owned by Avient) he made his way down to a 2 auto shop in Beaverton Oregon where he was Artist/Separator and production manager overseeing and engaging in all aspects of the print shop.
In July of 2018 Colin joined Ryonet and is currently Product Manager and lead SPE Educator.
TRAVEL
Nearest Airport:
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Portland International Airport (PDX)
Nearest Hotels:
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Heathman Lodge: Experience luxury at 7801 NE Greenwood Dr. Vancouver, WA. 98662. For bookings, call (360)254-3100.
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Best Western: A blend of comfort and convenience at 9420 NE Vancouver Mall Dr. Vancouver, WA. 98662. Reach out at (360) 256-0707.
CANCELLATION AND RESCHEDULING POLICY
- Life happens. Reschedule 24 hours in advance to avoid a $50 re-booking fee.
- Commitment is key. Once enrolled, refunds are not available.
- Opt for in-store credit, and invest in your future purchases at Ryonet.
- For any assistance, reach out to us at support@ryonet.com or call 1-800-314-6390.
*Ryonet holds no responsibility for lost deposits or travel bookings due to unforeseen changes.*
