Streamlining Separations for Screen Printing Decorated Apparel
Avoiding problems early on in your color separations will cascade down into gains at every step of the screen-printing process.
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Screen Printing: Production
Video: Talking Screen-print Setups at Impressions Expo Shop Talk
T-shirt screen-printing veterans Danny Gruninger, of Denver, Colorado, based DayBirds Printing, and Rick Roth, founder of New England’s Mirror Image Screenprinting & Embroidery and Ink Kitchen, talk fast, efficient setups as part of the Shop Talk education series at the 2022 Impressions Expo in Fort Worth, Texas
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What’s Special About SFX Printing?
Garment decorators always are looking for ways to create special effects (SFX) with their screen-printed designs by offering specialty inks — puff, glitter, suede, shimmer, high-density and more — to keep their artwork on the cutting edge.
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Textile Dryer Basics for Screen Printing
Buying the right textile dryer comes down to three factors: choosing a reputable equipment manufacturer; basing your purchase on your shop’s realistic production capabilities; and buying a larger-than-needed dryer to allow for future production growth.
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Short on Stock?
As we try to continue pushing through the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be experiencing increased sales and demand for screen-printed products, but what happens when your ink supplier is out of stock?
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Specialize in SFX Printing
If one of your customers wants to add a new treatment to a logo, offering special-effects (SFX) prints can help elevate your shop.
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Upgrading to an Auto Press
Textile screen printing is starting to rebound as our country recovers from the economic strains brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Athletic-Numbering Options
Garment decorators are preparing for a big surge in local team sports in 2021 as the nation rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Double Challenge: Preventing Dye Migration and Shrinkage
Manufacturers of athletic wear and accessories have an ever- widening variety of fabrics to choose from.
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Sustainable Printing Practices: Part 2
In the February 2020 issue of Impressions, we covered sustainable practices in screen prep, choosing among the multitude of inks, screen-printing production and more. The takeaway: Many screen-printing processes may not be considered green or sustainable, but they certainly can be altered to be as sustainable as possible.
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Sustainable Printing Practices: Part 1
I’m in the process of adding a bathroom and kitchen to a building on my property. During the process, decisions need to be made, including the types of doors, windows, counter tops and cabinets to be installed. Do I use tile for the shower or a pre-fabricated enclosure? What colors should I paint the walls?
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What’s New in CTS Technology?
The technology for imaging directly onto screen mesh for screen-printing production has been around for a while now. Industry experts, including manufacturers and decorators, unanimously agree that computer-to-screen (CTS) technology provides a better way to image a screen than older methods, such as film or vellum.
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The Benefits of Automation
Screen printing on T-shirts, sweat shirts, hoodies and other popular garments is a reliable and profitable market sector that has demonstrated the potential for continued growth in the 21st century.
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How to Properly Use Your Screen-Printing Flash Cure Unit
One of the most necessary pieces of screen-printing equipment for any screen printer is a good flash cure unit.
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Why is My Low-Cure Ink Gelling in the Screen?
Low-Cure inks are formulated to cure at around 275°F (135°C), and as such, tend to have a very fast flashing time.
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More Trial, Less Error in Water-Based Printing
If you’ve bought into water-based ink’s hand-feel, longevity and sustainability advantages, then you’ve probably also heard about the challenges of transitioning from a plastisol to water-based ink system.
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A Screen Printer’s Guide to Buying Your First Automatic
When you are a start-up screen-printing shop, there are a lot of different equipment choices. Some printers are on a shoestring budget and others want the best screen-printing equipment.
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Screen Printing vs. DTG: A 10-Round Print-Method Battle, Part 3
Philadelphia-based Rush Order Tees decided to put decorating techniques to the test in an ultimate comparison between screen printing and direct-to-garment (DTG) printing.
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Athletic Numbering: An Update
After 43 years of screen printing, I have helped, seen and advised many customers regarding screen-printing best practices for achieving the best results for numbering. The difference, if any, between printing numbers 20 years ago and now is the plethora of fabric options available on the market today.
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The Basics of Water-Based Inks
If you’re in the screen-printing industry, you’ve probably been hearing about the benefits of water-based ink: the softer hand, the minimal environmental impact, the eradication of toxic byproducts, the long-lasting and breathable comfort, the vibrancy of colors and designs.
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Screen Printing vs. DTG: A 10-Round Print-Method Battle, Part 2
Philadelphia-based Rush Order Tees decided to put decorating techniques to the test in an ultimate comparison between screen printing and direct-to-garment (DTG) printing.
Full StoryScreen Printing on Tricky Fabrics
I recently visited Pittsburg, Kan.-based Wilbert Screen Printing to talk with owner Bill Wilbert, and we ended up reminiscing about the 1960s when he had to go to department stores to buy T-shirts for his business since there were no wholesalers from which to buy.
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Screen Printing vs. DTG: A 10-Round Print-Method Battle, Part 1
Philadelphia-based Rush Order Tees decided to put decorating techniques to the test in an ultimate comparison between screen printing and direct-to-garment (DTG) printing.
Full StoryPointers for Prepress Success
There are several details to consider when preparing to screen print a garment. The following are six that I consider of utmost importance for achieving a great print.
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Don’t Compromise on Safety with Old Habits
Have you ever entered someone else’s house and noticed a certain smell, or looked at the front of someone’s yard and thought why don’t they just get rid of that old truck that hasn’t moved in 10 years?
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Optimizing Screen-Room Workflow
An often misunderstood and underutilized area of your shop could be the screen room. It sounds obvious, but well-crafted screens are a critical part of the screen-printing process.
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The Importance of Screen Tension
Screen-mesh tension plays a very important factor in your final print. Although many factors can affect your print, screen tension should not be overlooked, as it will impact things such as emulsion coating, registration and ink deposit.
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Troubleshooting Screen Printing
There are many variables that can affect a print’s quality. From the squeegee to the correct cure temperature, every piece of screen-printing equipment used can affect a job’s outcome.
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How to Avoid Screen Pinholes
Screen printers face a variety challenges, but there is a solution for every issue; you just have to know where to look.
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Speeding Up Order Entry
Many of the roadblocks your shop may face stem from one vital step in the order fulfillment process: order entry.
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Formulating Screen-Printing Ink Color Matches
How do you develop the most exact Pantone color matches? It’s not as easy as it seems and a lot of effort is involved.
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The Apparel Printing Industry’s Future Leaders
Twelve years ago, Jesse Hudson — a college administrator — asked if I could help develop a textile screen-printing curriculum for secondary and post-secondary schools to be used at the SkillsUSA state and national screen-printing competitions.
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Screen Making in a New Era
Digital computer-to-screen (CTS) imaging and LED-exposure technologies have brought much advancement to the screen-printing industry and, with it, confusion about screen- imaging and exposing choices.
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Walking a New Path
Because of technology, today’s water-based inks present new possibilities for screen printers.
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What Being ‘Green’ Means
The elements of sustainability and what they mean to screen printers.
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Color Separations 101
From terminology to printing, here’s a primer on the basics of the color-sep process
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Optimizing White Ink
I visit many screen-printing shops around the country — both small and large facilities — and one of the biggest, and costliest, issues that challenges screen printers is working with white ink.
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Contract Decorating for PPDs
In the decorated apparel industry, shop owners always are looking for ways to level out their business cycle.
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The Challenges of Screen Printing on Caps
While the classic aesthetic of embroidery has traditionally dominated the customized headwear market, there still remains a significant place in the hat-decoration business for screen printing.
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Understanding Off-Contact Screen Printing
A look at how the distance between screen and substrate could make all the difference
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Ink Market Trends: Part 2
Along with the specialty-ink evolution, it’s interesting to see how the advances or applications of other technologies have helped screen-printing industry veterans get where they are today.
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Innovation Sparks Screen-Printing Success
As an apparel decorator, I consider it my mission to deliver products to customers at prices they are happy to pay, all to meet my profit goals.
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The Secret to a Smooth Surface
A mat-down screen helps to create a finished product with a soft-hand feel
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Ink Market Trends: Part 1
When it comes to screen printing — specifically inks — I am often asked, “What’s new?” or “What’s trending?” My initial thoughts are, “What has been forgotten?” or “What hasn’t the customer seen?”
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The Perfect Coating
The consumer and retailers of today’s market have driven the textile embellishment industry to research and develop new technologies to meet demands. Those demands include more environmentally friendly inks and prints with a softer hand than that which traditional plastisol inks can provide.
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Training and Talking
In your screen-printing shop, if you’ve addressed issues dealing with time, workplace rules, staff and space, the good news is you’ve almost completed the path to smooth, efficient workflow.
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The Evolution of White Inks
Throughout the decades, we have witnessed a tremendous transition in the white inks that we use every day. Basic inks have evolved, from plastisol and water-based, to the current non-PVC products on the market. Some market trends also have changed white textile screen-printing inks to bring us to where things currently stand.
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A Winning Workflow Formula
Ensuring optimal workflow is an important aspect of profitability for your decorated apparel business. Unfortunately, problems inevitably will arise.
Improving Workflow
Pretend for a moment that all the tasks needed to complete an order are nestled adjacent to a train track that circulates throughout your shop.
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On The Front Lines
Customers want that decorated shirt, cap or bag and they want it now. Shop-to-market speed expectations are at an all-time high — especially with e-commerce players upping the ante — and today’s decorators are navigating the best ways to meet demand without sacrificing quality.
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CTS Technology Pushes Forward
Computer-to-screen (CTS) imaging dramatically is changing the way we make screens for screen printing, similar to how photo emulsions changed the process years ago.
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The Right Tools for the Job
My father is a master carpenter, and I learned early on that doing the best job requires not only skills and training, but also the proper tools.
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The “Zen” of Manual Printing
Pulling a squeegee on a manual screen-printing press and transforming a blank T-shirt into a colorful piece of commercial art is one of the most ubiquitous starting points for jobs in the decorated apparel industry...
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A Simple Test for Screen-Room Lighting
My background is in halftone photography, and when I was using this old-school technology, it was imperative to have the proper light in the dark room where the film was handled.
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Screen-Making Techniques, Part 2
Screen production is one of the most critical aspects in determining the final quality of your finished product.
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Specialty Printing for Success
It’s an eye-opening experience to think about how much specialty inks have evolved over the years and how the advances or applications of fringe technologies have helped screen-printing industry veterans...
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Best Practices for Screen Printing on Caps
With the return of warmer weather comes headwear season — and both are accompanied by a new profit opportunity for garment decorators.
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Is Water-Based Ink More Eco-Friendly Than Plastisol?
In our world, we’re often asked why non-PVC products (such as water-based inks) are considered “green” and PVC plastisols aren’t. Is one truly friendlier to the environment than the other? Not necessarily.
Full StoryFaux Embroidery for Screen Printing
There are many ways to decorate apparel, yet one — if not the main — issue always is the customer’s budget.
Is Your Ink Film Fully Cured?
If there is one sure-fire way to lose clients in this industry, it is to sell them finished garments that fade after five to 10 wash cycles.
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The Advantages of Plastisol Textile Inks
During the past two decades, there has been a push from different organizations — including environmental agencies and large sporting goods companies — to have traditional plastisol inks either modified or replaced.
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Press Coverage: From Manual to Automatic
From the day we started our textile screen-printing business in 2006, my father, Bob, and I knew an automatic press was in the cards. But as with everything else, we recognized that timing and planning were critical with respect to making the leap.
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Putting Your Best Print Forward
When trying to garner new sales for your apparel decoration business, it is important to have a complete portfolio of what you have done, can do and potentially could do.
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Top Tips to Improve T-Shirt Print Quality
One of the reasons I like working in this industry is that it has a great mixture of art and science. There is a craftsmanship feel to it that is palatable on the production floor.
Full StoryHandling Hoodies With Unique Printed Locations
One way to stand out from your competitors is to offer a process that they don’t, particularly with regard to printing placements. This will not only create a specific demand that can land you clients who appreciate higher levels of creativity and artwork, but it also can develop strong customer relationships that are built on a “can-do” mentality.
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Flock Printing: A Closer Look
Decorating garments with flock is a technique that has been practiced for decades and could be considered the first real “special effect” for garment decoration.
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Proper Ink-Disposal Methods
People often ask me whether waste inks can be thrown in the garbage or flushed down the sink. The short answer is “No” to both disposal options.
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Printing Basics: Reflective Inks
Following is a brief explanation of the methods, and reasons behind them, when it comes to reflective-ink printing.
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Take a Number
There are multiple ways to apply numbering to team uniforms, including sewn-on appliqué, heat transfer and CAD-CUT numbers, die cuts, direct screen printing and more.
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Screen Exposure in a New Light, Part 2 of 2
The biggest advantage of LED screen exposure equipment is its speed. Imagine exposing a screen in 20 seconds as opposed to 20 minutes.
Full StoryControlling Variables, Part 5
In the last article of this series on controlling the variables of the textile screen printing process, I will review the factors surrounding flashing and curing procedures.
Top Tips to Improve T-Shirt Print Quality
One of the reasons I like working in this industry is that it has a great mixture of art and science. There is a craftsmanship feel to it that is palatable on the production floor.
Alternatives to PVC Plastisol Inks
Many screen printers frequently ask whether textile inks will ever become PVC-free. That question usually is quickly followed by, “What are the alternatives to PVC plastisol?”
Achieve Retail Trends with the Latest Inks
Thanks to ink manufacturers, these three prevalent fashion trends can easily be duplicated in your shop.
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Match Colors Using a Color Wheel
Finding someone with a good eye for color was a must for any busy print shop. One of the tools we found really handy was the color wheel. Using this tool can help you see the relationship of color and give you examples of how other colors can be used during mixing.
Demystifying White Ink
Screen printers have searched high and low for the perfect white ink. The truth is, good traditional screen printers can choose among a variety of white inks from each of the manufacturers, and each will work great if used for the appropriate purpose and under the right conditions.
A Womenswear Decoration Primer
New fabrics, weaves, treatments and different constructions all have become the norm in ladies apparel. There are art, screen and printing considerations with these fabrics that are important if you want to create a quality finished product that will maintain durability and have good visual appeal.
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Screen Exposure In a New Light, Part 1 of 2
If you haven’t heard anything yet about light-emitting diode (LED) exposure technology, don’t feel too badly. While it has been a topic of discussion among tech-savvy screen printers for more than a year, it’s just now beginning to attract interest among apparel decorators in general.
Controlling Variables, Part 4
Now, we come to the remaining variables of the squeegee’s printing parameters, flood bars, flashing and curing. Here, we will continue with the actual squeegee applications.
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Manual Press Maintenance
For many new screen printers, a manual press is an entry-level purchase that they make when building their businesses. These workhorses are pretty simple machines, but there are some basic preventative maintenance chores that should regularly be performed to keep them working smoothly.
Screen Making 101
Every day, thousands of printers across the country tighten, coat and pass their squeegees over thousands of screens.
Top 5 Facts About Caviar Beads
So what are caviar beads (in screen printing terms) and how can they be used?
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Top 5 Considerations for Reusing Ink From the Screen
Five expert tips for screen printers to remember when trying to extend the usability of their inks.
Full StoryControlling Variables, Part 3
In this installment, let’s consider the variables of the ink transfer/printing process found in transferring ink from the screen to the fabric surface.
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Update: Digital CTS Imaging Systems
Computer-to-screen technology offers increased speed, better detailing, the elimination of films and more for medium and large screen print shops.
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Controlling Variables, Part 2
In this installment of “Controlling the Variables,” I will review the effects of the frame and screen tensioning on the screen printing process.
Maximizing Costs and Efficiency in Screen Cleaning
Any time spent fixing a “bad” screen means you are losing money. Once a screen is on press, if the stencil breaks down, you are not being compensated for the time and materials it takes to reshoot the screen.
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Today’s Textile Ink Options
Textile screen printing inks have come full circle when you consider that water-based inks were among the first ink systems used to print garments. Now, some printers are switching from plastisol inks, the longstanding standard for screen printing, back to water-based systems.
5 Tips for Printing on Fleece
As the cold season is coming, customers are stocking up on heavier garments like fleece. Here are some tips on how to improve prints on fleece.
Quick Tips for Choosing Mesh
When it comes to choosing mesh for a project, it is important to consider what you are printing and the type of ink you are using. Here is a simple guide that will help in choosing the right mesh counts for the right job.
Full StoryHow To Improve Your Screen Making Efficiency
If your shop is not efficient at making screens, you most likely are losing profits without even realizing it.
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20 Tips for Hot-Market Printing Success
The sports may be different, but the stress levels and challenges have been the same. If you are thinking about getting into this service, or maybe you already have one or two of these under your belt, this article offers tips for you to pull off a successful print run.
Full StoryHow to Choose the Correct Screen Mesh
New screen printers — and even many experienced ones — eventually ask one common question: “What mesh count should I use for this job?”
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Make Color Matching Easier
The main obstacles to fast and efficient color matching involve educating customers, previewing and preparing the artwork properly, and using the right tools to modify or mix inks properly.
Avoid Workflow Problems Caused by the Front Office
I recently was reminded of an experience I had when interviewing for a plant manager position during my first year after being laid off from Disney.
Full StorySpring Cleaning in the Ink Department
In all the years I’ve been in the screen printing industry, I’ve only walked into a few shops that had well-maintained ink departments.
3 Ways to Reduce Textile Waste
Almost all screen printers reuse the damaged and misprinted shirts that inevitably result from the screen printing process.
Full StoryTop 5 Ways to Maintain Your Bottom Line
A printer’s goal is to make money. With that in mind, here are a few more practical tips that may be helpful as you continue to run your business.
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The Package Approach
Twenty years ago, Richard Sawyer saw a major need in the action sports industry for a full-service screen printing company that offered package programs.
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Top 5 Considerations for Color Communication
Communicating with a customer or a vendor about printed colors may sound easy at first, but it can actually become a complicated chore without some sort of standard to measure against.
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5 Types of Pallet Adhesive for Your Shop
The adhesive type that is best for your screen printing shop depends on your needs.
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Should Plastisol Be Reconsidered as a Sustainable Printing Option?
Screen printers work with chemical systems daily. However, there’s been a big push to become more environmentally conscious, as well as reduce waste and the impact of the things we use.
Achieve Retail Trends with the Latest Inks
This much we know: Ink trends generally follow fashion trends.
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A Primer on Performancewear Ink Options
Printing onto sportswear used to be a straightforward affair.
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