The art of having a successful print business lies within the quality of work you produce. Whether you’re producing a thousand prints a week or a hundred, the condition of work being done should remain consistent. Today, it is easier for customers to share reviews online and spread the word about a business. The best way to make sure that what they’re saying is good, is by being proactive and maintaining a high standard of prints. Take a look at some of these screen printing tips to see how you can keep your business up to par.
Ensuring a quality print
Encourage clients to select quality artwork for their printing design if you happen to offer customized options. If you are in charge of making your own prints, keep them high quality. A poor graphic won’t do your garment any justice no matter how well you think you might be able to print it. On top of choosing a proper graphic, be sure that the garment you are printing on can handle the print itself. For example, you wouldn’t want to have a larger print going on a small t-shirt. Garments with this issue usually run within the children’s size category, women’s sizes, and special cuts of t-shirt like V-necks.
Next, the fabric you choose will determine the quality of print as well. You want to achieve a smooth, flat surface and some fabrics prevent you from having that. For example, ribbed or otherwise textured material will make your print look odd when it is fully stretched out. Having a flat surface allows your print to get pressed in cleanly without skipping or distortion. It is suggested to use 100% cotton for t-shirt printing as it lets ink sit nicely and produces a rich print.
Finally, you need to choose the best mesh count to make the print pop. Ink used for screen printers can be thick and tough to make work at first, but using the right mesh and technique can increase your shop’s production and efficiency.
It’s all in the ink
The type of ink you choose will determine whether you get a good print or not. A few things to note about ink used for screen printing systems:
- Plan your layers per color beforehand
- Keep the area around you clean as paint mess can transfer and ruin your fresh garment
- Only print using the right amount of ink
- Squeegee ink with the proper amount of pressure
The ink most used in screen printing is called plastisol ink. This ink makes for an easier print and layers on in a thick coat; perfect for jerseys, shirts, and so on. Plastisol ink is a mixture of resin and plasticizer and cures at a temperature of 300-330℉. Plastisol ink will not cure under regular temperatures. Plastisol ink used on fabric will not dye the fabric around it, making it great for jerseys that need to stay a crisp white color around the design during the sporting season.
Inspect each item
Print job finished? Don’t let your final product leave the shop without first giving it a good once-over. Make sure your print is aligned properly, be certain the ink looks as opaque as it should be and check for any inconsistencies or flaws that can be fixed as you move ahead. Reviewing your work before it gets delivered is the best way to prepare yourself for potential issues that could arise from customers.
When looking for pre-press equipment and advice, turn to EXILE Technologies. With over 30 years in the business, we offer a ton of relevant blogs, trade show opportunities, and screen printing tips to help small and large printing press businesses along.
