In this behind-the-scenes print session, Ryan Moor fires up the ROQ automatic press to knock out a run of cotton tees, triblends, and fleece hoodies. This is a real-world look at adjusting for multiple fabric types on the fly—mixing inks, using blockers, tweaking pressure, and dialing in registration.
Setting Up for Triblends
First up: Allmade triblends. These are 50% polyester, which means you’ll need a blocker to avoid dye migration. Ryan mixes up a custom gray underbase using FN-INK® Barrier Black and white FN-INK®. That gray does double duty: it blocks dye and acts as a smooth white base for color.
These garments aren’t high bleeders, but a 1.5 rating means you still want a barrier layer. If you were printing on something like camo, you’d need to double up your underbase passes.
Mixing Custom FN-INK® Orange
Next up: hitting the brand color. Ryan mixes FN-INK® white, orange, and a bit of cream to dial in the perfect orange. A little orange goes a long way—start light and build up. Even though it was a one-time job, he notes that you should always measure your custom mixes. If you run out mid-job, you don’t want to guess it twice.
Getting the ROQ Dialed In
From platens to pressure, setup matters. This job uses PMI Pallet Gel Sheets, which help hold garments in place without over-stick. Bonus: they change color when they reach temp, so you always know when you’re ready to print.
Ryan walks through the flood bar and squeegee placement, then tweaks print angle and pressure. For a left chest print, he brings the angle to 15 degrees, clears the screen, and locks in a smooth underbase.
Switching to Cotton and Hoodies
Once cotton tees are off the press, it’s time for hoodies. These are 80/20 blends, so the blocker still helps—but fleece adds thickness. That means increasing pressure, lowering off-contact just a bit, and watching for pocking. To smooth things out, Ryan adds a third pass on the final print stroke, giving the fleece a clean, even finish.
Tool Shoutout: Speed Cart
Organization makes a difference on an auto. The Ryonet Speed Screen Cart kept all screens, squeegees, and tools close. With 14 slots, pin boards for gear, and smooth casters, it’s built for high-efficiency shops that run fast.
Print Gear Featured in This Job:
- FN-INK® Barrier Black
- FN-INK® Inks
- Ryonet Speed Screen Cart
- PMI Pallet Gel Sheet
- ROQ Automatic Presses
- Allmade Apparel
A Few Key Takeaways
- Measure every mix—even one-offs. Saves you mid-run headaches.
- Use blockers on triblends and blends. Keeps colors clean.
- More pressure isn’t always better. Adjust until the print clears, not crushes.
- Don’t clean pallet gel mid-run—especially with cotton. It won’t behave.
From lightweight triblends to heavyweight hoodies, every shirt printed clean and consistent. With the right setup, smart adjustments, and solid tools, the ROQ auto delivered exactly what you want from a press: speed, accuracy, and pro-level results on every pass.