Interested in starting silk screen printing

dllaiche · April 9th, 2007, 12:25 PM

I am interested in starting a silk screen business. Can I do this in one of my bedrooms to begin with, till I get enough business to see if I can make a go of this. I know I can't use the screen washer in the bedroom, but can the rest of the equipment work out? If everything goes will, I plan on building a work shop in my yard.

I was looking at the 770 Series, which looks like it doesn't take up much room. Has anyone used this equipment?

Greg hamrick · April 10th, 2007, 09:39 AM

That piece of equipment can get you going. Your only going to be able to do one color and some multi-color, as long as it is not super tight on registration or very complicated.
I don't see why you couldn't use it in a bedroom. Just make sure you vent the fumes out of a window and that you don't care to get ink all over the floor...cause you will.
If you get going good, look into a multi-head printer and a conveyer dryer. You'll be able to print whatever you like and be able to cure shirts ten to one hundred times faster than with a flash alone.
Good luck.............

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dllaiche · April 10th, 2007, 10:00 AM

Wow, I was emailing you while you were answering me. Thanks. Do you have any suggestions on equipment. If I buy equipment, I want to get something I can use for years and not have to replace it within a few years.

JuBilee · April 26th, 2007, 05:17 PM

That all depends on how much you want to spend. I know Lawson is suposed to make a good machine. We use M&R presses in my shop. Great presses but their service is terrible at best. The good side of that is that I have only needed their service department 3 times in 16+ years and 2 of those were for the same problem. It just really depends on how much you want to invest in the business to start.

ai_file · June 20th, 2007, 12:14 PM

I started out in my garage with nothing more than a table and an open path to the bathroom. I honestly feel like you can do this just about anywhere. I read that this guy did his in his bedroom too, while using the sun as his light source.

www.screenprintingdog.info

Take a look, it's pretty basic but answers a lot of questions.

SHELLY55 · April 9th, 2008, 06:34 PM

What did you use as a dryer?

ai_file · June 4th, 2008, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHELLY55

What did you use as a dryer?

i use my sis' hairdryer, altho i've been meaning to get a commercial heat gun off ebay.

Tinygiantclothing · June 10th, 2008, 04:16 PM

i do all of my screen printing in a 17x13 room in my basement .. do all my screen prep in the bathroom down there expose on my porch and washout outside in a sink..(usually expose and washout screens at night.. that way the sun doesnt screw up the exposure)

Sake1521 · July 20th, 2008, 10:32 PM

well...i do my silk screening weird i guess. i hand cut my films. i use liquid adhesive to attach them to my screen. To print t-shirts in more than one color i cut out different parts of the image on my film and adhese the different sections to different screens. My screens attach to a hinge on my table so i print in the exact spot. it works the same as any big machine im guessing since it's always worked for me. i'm just starting my business but i've been silk screening for a while. so ha! ^ ^

Jade Boardriding · August 25th, 2008, 10:52 AM

What GRADE of Silk Screen would you all suggest for HIGH DETAILED Silk screening? There is a ton of detail to my next project, and I need to figure out the best SILK SCREEN to purchase in order to make it look smooth and flawless...

any suggestions??

e.