Flash Curing, how important is it?

bustthewave

Hey everyone, me and a friend are just starting out... we are actually at the pre-starting out phase with tee shirt printing. Our goal is mainly to sell our own tee shirt designs as a focus, but doing bulk orders for others when it comes along (so this will be more of a hobby when all is said and done).

I went to a screen printing supply store today, they were really helpful (and gave me about $25 worth of free stuff to get started, emulsion and nylon, I was stoked) and they told me that all of their inks required some kind of flash curing machine. I can't drop even $500 for this, at least not right now. I'm trying to see if I can get one cheap and used, but my limit is $150.

So how important is it? I was reading a book that simply suggested blow drying.

What happens if we dry it via a blow dryer or say... my home oven?

Calibrated

Sorry to be "blunt" but if all you have is $150 to start up with, than stop while your ahead and don't waste your time with "professional" products.

Take your money and go to Dick Blick Art Supplies and get a hobby kit....I think you might have enough to get a basic kit?

Seriously.....Professional inks REQUIRE being heat set and you CANNOT use your home oven to bake your shirts........Unless you customers dont mind the grill marks, and your family does not mind the toxic resins in your dinner!

JuBilee

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER!!!

I have heard the horror stories of old where Ma and Pa started out curing shirts in the oven and printing on the dinner table. IT ISN'T WORTH THE HEADACHE!!!!!

I love it when folks think the easiest way to fame and fortune is in the screen printing industry. My shop is 20 years old and I'm still waiting for them to bring me the check!!!

__________________
Matt McNeill

JuBilee Screen Printing
& Embroidery
910-673-4240

Celebrating 20+ years in business!!!!!

If you have any questions, feel free to pm, email, or call me.

emberrayne

I'm more optimistic. I started my shop with NO STARTUP CAPITAL and we're going strong 2 years later...
That said... it will eat your life.
Nomnomnom. Life eaten.
If you're willing to dedicate all of your energy to driving to crazy places to pick up fire sale cheap equipment, work round the clock for a few years, and generally feed yourself to this thing, it WILL pay off.
You have to look at the situation and decide... Do I want to BE a screen printer/sign maker. If you do, great, go DO it! Realize that's about all you'll be doing for a bit lol!
If you don't want to do it, then your best bet is to subcontract out your clothing line's printing to a small shop like mine. The bigger ones won't want to deal with your 12 shirts with 4-8 colors, and you'll get more close contact to annoy us with your design changes. That said, you'll pay a pretty penny for the service...
Best of luck!