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Selecting The Right Inkjet Printers For Screen Printing

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  Screen printing requires many tools to get the job done right. One tool that is often overlooked when reading through screen printing tips and blogs is the Inkjet film printer. So, why is this tool so important and worthy of its own blog post? If you do not start the printing process with a high-quality film positive, it can ultimately set you up for failure. Bad positives lead to bad exposure and bad stencils. Exposing is one of the hardest parts of screen printing and this process brings a whole new slew of problems. Do yourself a favor and set your foundation right with a good Inkjet film positive. If you are like me you also hate printers, they are the kryptonite to my savvy technology skills. A good printer can help ease the printer’s pain and frustration. In this blog, we recommend our favorite Inkjet film printers in various budget ranges. A disclaimer : We do not manufacture any printers listed below and are therefore not liable for issues related. With that said, we do f...
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How to Make a Silk Screen Stencil

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To screen print a design onto a t-shirt you need to create a stencil for your artwork. A stencil can be made in several ways but in this blog, we are going to discuss how to make a silk screen stencil using two different methods. There is a DIY method using a vinyl cutter, often referred to as Cricut screen printing, and there is a traditional screen-printing method that uses screen printing emulsion and light. These two methods vary greatly, however, they result in the same finished good, a printed design on your desired substrate. Below we will break down the materials you need for both Cricut screen printing and traditional screen printing and the directions to complete each method. We hope that by the end of this blog you will feel confident in one of the methods and be able to create your very first stencil.  Price is something to keep in mind when looking at these two methods. How much money do you want to spend on your initial screen printing setup? If you are...
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Location: Highland, CA, USA
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Essential Washout Booth Maintenance Tips

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  Your washout booth plays a critical role in your screen printing setup, but it often gets overlooked. Over time, it's easy for ink, emulsion, and chemicals to build up, leading to reduced performance and potential equipment damage. A clean, well-maintained booth improves efficiency and prevents nasty surprises. Here’s a simple checklist you should incorporate into your cleaning routine every few months to keep your washout booth in top shape: 1. Start With a Rinse Begin by hosing down the entire booth. This helps soften dried residue like ink and emulsion, making them easier to remove later. Don’t rush—give it a good soak. 2. Apply Degreaser and Let It Work Next, spray a  degreaser  generously over all rinsed surfaces. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes to break down any stubborn buildup. This step is key to loosening materials that could otherwise damage your booth or screens. 3. Inspect Sealant Joints While the degreaser is doing its job, take a few minutes to inspect...
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Location: Highland, CA, USA
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How to Choose the Right Garment for Screen Printing

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  When you’re new to screen printing, it’s easy to think  a t-shirt is a t-shirt.  But any experienced printer will tell you the garment you choose can make or break your project. Fabric weight, style, and quality all impact not only how your print looks but also how your customer feels wearing it. Let’s break down some key differences to help you pick the right blank for every job. Understanding T-Shirt Weight: When browsing wholesale apparel catalogs, you’ll see shirts listed by weight (e.g., 4 oz, 5.3 oz, 6 oz). This refers to the fabric’s weight per square yard. While the numbers may seem small, the difference is noticeable in feel and performance. Lightweight (around 4 oz) Super soft and breathable Great for spring and summer wear Often used for promotional giveaways or budget-friendly projects May feel thinner and have less structure, can stretch out more easily Midweight (5–5.5 oz) A balanced choice between softness and durability Works well for everyday wear or re...
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Location: Highland, CA, USA
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Let's Screen-Print an Ugly Christmas Sweater

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  Our “ugly” sweater is pretty cute right? Recreate this ugly Christmas sweater with ease. Follow the steps in the  video  and get further detail in the description below to  screen-print  this sweater for customers or yourself this holiday season.  We have also included a link to download the artwork we used for this print and it’s completely free! Let’s get to it.    We are going to be printing with two different types of ink today. One is  Rapid Cure Gold Glitter Plastisol Ink  and the other is  Rapid Cure Metallic Gold Plastisol Ink .   You can print with just glitter or metallic if you prefer a one-color print. Pro Tip: Always remember to mix your inks prior to use so you get a nice creamy and easy flowing feel when it’s time to hit the press.   Since the inks have different printing characteristics you are going to need a couple different screen meshes so the ink can print onto the garment without any issues like clo...
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Location: Highland, CA, USA
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