next »

[knifemaker3]

Just curious if anyone is trying something new or at least new for you in the world of screenprinting.

I've been busy with all the different things I do and haven't had time to try anything in new techniques.  Hope to be able to soon.

So, what have you been trying that you haven't done before?

Inquiring minds want to know! 

[COCHISE]

WOW........ that is scary.

 I just sent Craig a PM about a color separation program that is fantastic for the price without seeing this topic.

The program is called T-SEPS and it is designed for use only in Photoshop. It has so many features I can't begin to describe them all.
Play the 10 minute video and the others to get an idea of the features.
http://t-biznetwork.com/t-seps/nsp/

American Screen Supply has the best pricing I have uncovered so far.
http://www.americanscreensupply.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=30

ken

[COCHISE]

I thought I would add this as a followup post.

I am a novice screen printer. I have been hacking at it for only two years. I have learned a great deal by watching Ryonet and other videos. I am always learning and welcome tips and tricks from the more advanced printers.

I thought I might share some fine color separation software for Corel as well as Adobe.

http://t-biznetwork.com/t-seps/nsp/
FOR ADOBE has a 20 day trial package and a downloadable manual. Tons of video explain the software process.

http://www.quikseps.com/index.php
FOR ADOBE I have downloaded the manual and will compare it to the other program. Tons of video explain the process.

http://www.advancedtshirts.com/
FOR COREL The best Corel Tutorials on the web.

All of these programs advertise that they do NOT require a RIP software. I'll leave that to the more savy screen printers to decide.

I am expanding my shop to a 6 head two station and I will purchase one of the Adobe sep programs by the end of the month.

I will be posting requests for any used screen printing equipment in the proper topic heading.


ken

[Anne]

Hi guys, I've tried using the curable reducer 70 percent to 30 percent
color ink method [from White Elephants via Ryonet] with cool results. I screened a huge cross wth scripture on top...added some silver rhinestuds...the group loved them....had that cool grunge effect. Thanks for the info Ken,,,really looks interesting.

[COCHISE]

Yeah my white ink has turned to bubble gum. I'll cut it with the reducer and use it for a two hit underlayer or a grunge.

Thanks for the input Anne.


ken

[knifemaker3]

1 key to printing with white ink of any brand is to stir the devil out of it before loading your screen.

After 5-10 prints it will start to mellow out nicely, but if you stir and stir and stir and stir........and then stir some more  before you start it will print from the get go without reducer.

Now when printing on 305 mesh I do have a tendancy to add reducer.  But on 110-156 I don't.  I just flash print flash.  Get a heavier hand but better opacity.

Many times we tend to think thicker is better when printing but if you have to push harder to get the opacity you want you are better off to add a little reducer and get good results without all the work.

I've successfully printed white on black with 305 using print/flash/print method several times with halftone dots and still got a great looking print with plenty of opacity without adding reducer.  I just mixed the crap out of it and started printing and after a few shirts it mellowed right out and was usuable.

Later!

[deChez]

Thanks for all this great info...these conversations are very helpful.

[COCHISE]

Knifemaker3 is the "go to" guy for screen printing.

I'll try stiring the stuff more and hopefully reclaim it....

I am going to order the QUICKSEPS program over the T-SEPS because of the way the file handling and input prep works much easier.

I am looking for a 6 head press. Ryonet has a good new one, anybody got a good used one??

Ken

[knifemaker3]

Ken,

Check out Vastex equipment.  They have top quality stuff even in their beginner line.  I currently only own a vastex 4 color 1 station but am hoping to upgrade to a 6x4 soon if room allows.  Also wanting one of their dryers as well.

They hold their value well from what I've researched and I know their top of the line stuff has a 25 year waranty.

Also looking at their registration system.  It would make lining things up a whole lot easier.

Hope this helps.

Craig

[COCHISE]

I AGREE...... VERY GOOD STUFF. The site has lots of good videos as well.

My whole thing will be the careful selection of inks for future jobs. I don't think I need to worry about the formulas to mix the Pantone colors so I will just dig out my artist color wheel and call it close enough.

I realize that some folks customers will want spot color and photo realism. Out here in the desert I will learn to get it close, see if there is a market and go from there. No need to try for photo realism on a cactus, yet.

ken

[knifemaker3]

Ken,

I hope to find time this summer to try my hand at 4 color process printing.  When and if I do I'll post my results on here.

I would like to get the 6 color press to enable me to do 4 color process with white underlay and white highlight.  That way I can print on dark colored shirts.  But until then I can squeek by with 4 color on white.

Most people around here won't want to pay for them anyway! 

[MonkeyMeMe]

I am trying out the new enviorline water based ink from ryonet,, the white opague,, they suggest pushing the ink instead of pulling,, should have it tested this weekend,,

I will keep you posted,,

Sandy Jo

[COCHISE]

I have tow of the Ryonet ergonomic squeegees and I love them. A push stroke is natural using them.

Have fun, relax test the ink................. take pictures.



Ken

[MonkeyMeMe]

hahahah you know i will for sure take pictures,, i plan on pushing some ink today,,

It is almost as addictive as Rhinestones

I am also getting braver to try coating my own screens as i use cap film now, but know cap film gives me a one sided coated screen where emulsion will give me a longer lasting stronger film,,,

Any thoughts on that from you guys?

[knifemaker3]

Sandy,
I have not used cap film but started using the pink diazo from ryonet.  It worked ok but usually went bad before I could get it used up.

I done a little research on shelf life, ease of use, etc. and decided to try chromablue emulsion.  Works great!  I expose screens on my homemade 6 bulb exposure unit in 11-15 seconds depending on if it's halftones or regular spot color exposure.  haven't tried it with a halogen lamp like what comes with ryonet's starter packages and silver press so I don't know if it will work with that type exposure......

Show your results this weekend please!