Selling t shirts can be a satisfying and lucrative exercise  but you need to prepare well or things will go wrong.  Here are a few points to remember when getting your design to print:

1. Design the artwork in the correct format.

When designing for screen printing one has to consider the end result of what the print will look like or what you want to achieve. Communicate with your printer for guidance before you start designing or you will end up paying  more or having to redesign. Screen printing is not like digital printing as it is done in stages, thus the artwork needs to be prepared differently. More info can be found in this post of which software to use.

2. Convert all fonts to curves.

If your design includes fonts and you’re using a vector program, always covert to curves. This will ensure that the artwork will look exactly like you intend it to. Please note that this will prevent later editing so it is best to save a copy that is not converted to curves as well.

3. Do a print out or computer mock .

Get a set of t shirt models/ drawings and place your designs before doing your positives.  You will get an idea of what your end result will be. Use it for scaling and positioning your artwork. If you have a physical sample of the t shirt, do a print out and position it on the actual t shirt. You can send either of these to your printer as a reference. More guidance = better results.

4. Provide your artwork in the correct size.

Do not expect the printer to be your desktop designer and scale things for you. Ensure that you scale the artwork yourself and state that the scale provided is as is.

5. Work with Pantone Colours.

Invest in a pantone colour chart and always design in pantone colours (if not working with photo images) so that you know what the colour will look like before it’s printed.  This will ensure that if you need to do reprints that the colours will be the same as before. It also allows you to have your goods printed at various printers and achieve the same results. Never use the colours on screen as a reference because the printer’s screen may have a different setting/ calibration.

6. Ask for 2 physical sample prints of the t shirt.

You will be charged for setting up and positive costs but it’s always better to do 2 samples. Don’t let the excitement of doing a run make you cut corners. Print 2 samples and if you are happy with both of them, let the printer keep one and you the other. Sign an agreement that the samples is as the run should be.

The Fifa 2010 Soccer World Cup is a great launch period for all you aspiring designers. We will have tourists that are eager to get great gifts for family and friends back home.  Be sure to use anything and everything about South Africa in your designs but of course sticking to the rules regarding Fifa trademarks.

“Screen Printing is a dying art”. This is a statement that I’ve heard three times already. I know that there are other and better ways to brand goods like litho printing, transfers, pad printers and digital printing that have taken over the market, but this doesn’t mean that screen printing is a dying art.

I believe that there will always be a place for screen printing. Just the other day I was contacted by guy called Roger Hutton, who wanted to know where he could study the art. I advised him to go to Color Screen, a company based in Paarden Eiland, Cape Town. Everyday Lavaink receive requests for branding using screen printing and there are many companies that specialize in the art.

If you are interested in screen printing, even as a hobby, check out this site

Screen Printing

Applications

Screen printing is arguably the most versatile of all printing processes. It can be used to print on a wide variety of substrates, including paper, paperboard, plastics, glass, metals, fabrics, and many other materials. Some common products from the screen printing industry include posters, labels, decals, signage, and all types of textiles and electronic circuit boards. The advantage of screen printing over other print processes is that the press can print on substrates of any shape, thickness and size.
A significant characteristic of screen printing is that a greater thickness of the ink can be applied to the substrate than is possible with other printing techniques. This allows for some very interesting effects that are not possible using other printing methods. Because of the simplicity of the application process, a wider range of inks and dyes are available for use in screen printing than for use in any other printing process.

read more