Screen Printing (T-shirts)

[doom_hippie]

I'm looking for a website or an e-mail from someone about screen printing. I'd like to build my own if it's possible because I don't have any money. If somone is looking to get rid of one and is willing to make a trade for it, I can try to find something worth the trade. I make hemp jewelry (http://gutterpuphemp.tk) and can get almost any CD (burned of course). If anyone can help me out even a little bit, I would greatly appreciate it.


Peace,
Kalan
doom_hippie@yahoo.com
AIM: BraveUlysses84

[kermit]

r u a spammer???

[RockyJay]

Check ScreenPrinters.net (http://screenprinters.net/) and Screen Printing DIY (http://www.kcdirectaction.net/ARC/fun/screening_instructions.htm)

[doom_hippie]

No I'm not a spammer...why?

[toman]

He's a nut. Watch out or he'll dump napalm on your and then fondle your nuts.

[Unkle_John]

This is what I have always done to save money on t-shirts we sold and gave away for our band.
You can get screen mesh at just about any respectible art supply house or you can contact a screen print supplier (I use Texas Original Graphics, well b/c it's local), check your phone book. Next I find a heavy duty picture frame and stretch the screen mesh over the frame (much like if you where stretching a canvas). I use those flat thumb tacks to hold it down. Now for your graphic. Hop on down to your nearest & cheapest sign shop that uses a vinyl plotter (most do now-adays. Heck I'm a retired sign maker so I know) to create you graphic. It's also wise to have what you want and vector ready (if not I can do it for you, as I said that's what I did). Have them cut it as a reverse decal. meaning it will be inside a box. Any color od vinyl is fine. I use black b/c that's my preferance, but use the cheapest vinyl they have to offer. Calon II is the best cheap one IMHO, don't be sold on Oracal (it blows). Place the image on your screen (with the frame acting as a wall to keep your "ink" in). Now for your "ink", use the cheap craft acrylic from the craft dept of your fav store. It washes out of the screen and when you change the design, if you have taken good care of your screen, you can reuse it. I have always used a screen printers squeegee. The only thing else you have to do is secure a board to put your garment on.

On cleaning it remember this: If you have one screen (for one color) wash it after you have compleated your screening. And leave it in the sun to dry. Somewhere the dog or kids won't damage it. I have always hung each shirt carefully after each screening (or had someone help me). I don't recomend getting into multi colors untill you are skilled enough to match up the patterns and such. If I have left out any details, I'll edit this. But that is the best way I have found to do it myself. It's sounds easy, not just because I'm an artist, because it really is easy.

[doom_hippie]

Thanks so much to the both of you that posted help!