Many screen printers initially focus on printing T-shirts, but did you know you also can think outside the box and print other fun items, like stickers?
Screen printing stickers can be easy, and they can take this decorating discipline in creative and new directions. Following are a few pointers to remember:
1. When screen printing stickers you cannot use a plastisol ink. Use the following inks instead:
• graphic
• solvent-based graphic: most popular due to its stability
• graphic water-based ink: good option for an eco feel.
• UV: doesn’t dry in screen, but has to cure with expensive reactor
2. Use a 230-mesh screen.
3. Use solvent-resistant or graphic emulsion, as standard emulsion will break down.
4. Set the off-contact to 1/4-inch.
5. A vacuum pallet works best, but spray tack on wood will suffice for short runs.
6. Use a 70 durometer squeegee.
7. Mix your ink with thinner. This will help the ink to dry slower and make it easier to work with. Thin the ink 3%-5%. (Editor’s Note: If ink spiders, it is too thin.)
8. To start printing, apply ink and flood the screen. Practice your print stroke, and make sure to back-flood. Test and modify your technique as needed, but remember to always keep the screen flooded, as this keeps the ink from drying.
9. Clean up using solvent, screen opener or thinner. Clean screen so all ink is out of your screen immediately. Not doing this will result in a ruined screen.
Ryan Moor is president and CEO at Ryonet. Heather Ashlock is Editor. For more information or to comment on this article, e-mail Heather at
hashlock@ryonetcorporation.com.
Why do we often struggle with some of the seemingly simplest things, like slathering screen-printing ink onto a decorated-apparel garment. Slathering so that it looks clean, bright, opaque and altogether attractive.
FULL STORY
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was a secret formula for designing a best-selling T-shirt for a sports team, a business or for your own pre-print line?
FULL STORY
As is the case with any craft, when it comes to screen-printing T-shirts and other apparel the devil is in the details. The best art, the best press in the world will inevitably come up short if you don’t take care of the little things as well.
FULL STORY