By 1950Ltd. on
May. 01, 2008
Ok brand new to the game. I am a artist and thats about it. Right now I am paying 35 per screen/color. 9 bucks for two locations. i supply the shirts. SO.......I want to do it myself and learn from personal experience. It is a side hobby/business for my own personal garmets and brand. The guy I work with is great and very efficient.
My overall question is what exactly do I need and is the cost worth it at first? I see all of these start up kits and most of my shirts are more than one color so do I need a 4 station blah blah blah. I am so confused and it seems so basic but by no means does it if that makes any sense?
Any advice is better than none.
Re: Advice
It all depends on a couple of things...
a) Are YOU the only one going to be making this happen?:eek:
b) What is your location like? Square feet, power availibility, accessibility, etc.
c) How much capital are you working with... how much do you want to spend?
Now to get started you'll need the following...
1. A computer with a good printer capable of producing positive transparencies (film)
2. Screens with various mesh counts
3. Emulsion (I use Murakami's Aquasol HV) with a coating bar
4. A "darkroom" so you can coat & store your coated screens ( a red light is safe in there)
5. A light table capable of exposing your screens. (There are many types)
6. A washout tub to washout the unexposed emulsion after exposure and also to reclaim, degrease, and possibly dehaze your screens.
7. A printing press, I suggest a 6 color 6 station press so you can grow into it.
8. A conveyor belt dryer
9. A Flash Dryer
10. Stencil Remover, Degreaser, Haze Remover, and Blockout
J.R. Sanford
Production Manager
NW Awards
185 NW Chehalis AV
Chehalis, WA 98532
(shop) 360-748-7346
(cell) 360-880-6384
jr_sanford@yahoo.com
Cast aside your limitations;
And you shall be boundless!
Re: Advice
The conveyor belt dryer will probably be the most expensive of the bunch (that & the 6 color press) but as JR mentioned, the flash dryer will work if you are just starting out (thoug I would imagine both are necessary if you are doing anything in qty). the ligh box you can make yourself and dark room can be improvised by using an unused closet (if you have one, unused that is :D ). The 6 color press is nice but you gotta be honest wit your self as to how involved and how much $ you want to invest this early on, but again JR is right about growing into it.
Have fun!
Re: Advice
if you don't mind spending 10 bucks, this guy made it real clear for me. screenprintingdog.info
Screen printing tutorials, tips, and diy guides at screenprintingdog.com