SILK SCREEN PRINTING

[AJLA]

Oh well back to the drawing board as I think hat that is what I wanted...... something impregnated into the cotton or a t least the flatest option available

I t would be great to see the variations of printing methods on tees side by side to see how flat they are.

[Paul]

I think you would like screen printed garments with waterbased inks. they quite flat and got good feel.

[Justin]

[url="http://dischargescreenprinting.com/]http://dischargescreenprinting.com/[/url]

Worth a mention maybe. Discharge removes the dye from the shirt...read on above link.

Some great example shots here [url="http://dischargescreenprinting.com/examples.html]http://dischargescreenprinting.com/examples.html[/url]

[John G]

Good find Justin, never heard of it before but that must be the way they mass produce T' shirts for high st shops.

The ink/dye is impregnated within the material - clever stuff, but not really practical on small scale, I don't think it would be cost effective.

[Justin]

I discussed it briefly with my screen printer a while back. I don't think it's particularly easy to do and the inks are a little nasty. Things may have moved on since then, certainly an interesting process though.

[Paul]

basicly discharge is like a bleach. is killing the dye in the fabric. is bit tricky to use as all fabric a diferent. so some amount of discharge for gildan would be enough but thi same amount woud not be for FOTL.

[AJLA]

Very interesting read but it doesnt sound as straight forward ,aybe.

Now really stupid question, John ...you use the water based inks is this what most volume screen printers use? More cost effective easier to apply? Or is it just about the appearance of the end product?

And why did you choose to use plastisol Paul, again the price, appearance or is it used mainly by lower volume producers.

Sorry but I just seem to be going round and round in circles.

[Paul]

plastisol is industry standard and is easer to use for me. and i think it last longer. good for short and long runs too as it need to be cured to dry it out. water based one is need to be used as soon as is on the screen coz it tend to dry quick. pricevise is roughly this same i think but as i said. never used water based ink. all screen procces is bit messy but great fun after u crack it. if you want i can send you dvd with screen printing training.

[AJLA]

That would be great Paul, I can send you an envelope with a stamp on if you like.

[Paul]

no. dont worry about stamp. just pm your address and i will sort it out tomorrow. regard to screen printing... you know that you can print transfers on paper cure them and use them when ever you want??? great idea and huge time saver...