Everything You Need To Know To Find The Best professional graphic printing film manufacturer

Ready to dive into the world of screen printing? It's a significant leap but definitely a rewarding one. Setting up your shop requires the right equipment and supplies. Our experts have crafted a detailed checklist to guide you through everything you need to know and consider for your future setup.

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Choosing the Ideal Screen Printing Press

The screen printing market offers a plethora of presses with diverse features, capabilities, and prices. Selecting the right press tailored to your goals and your customers' needs is crucial. But how do you make the right choice?

First, choose a reputable brand. For example, a Riley Hopkins press is a smart choice. With over 30 years of experience in the printing industry and an outstanding reputation, Riley Hopkins provides some of the highest quality and most economical screen print presses. Their presses are globally renowned for top-notch features, swift adjustments, and innovative design.

If you’re new to screen printing, the Riley Hopkins 150 Press is a perfect start. It's a simple yet high-quality press that will help you hone your skills. If you’re planning to establish a screen printing business, the Riley Hopkins 250 or 300 Presses are excellent options.

Effective Ink Gelling Tools

If your designs involve multiple colors, equipment to gel or flash the ink is indispensable. Although a heat gun can work, it is challenging to maintain uniform heat across the print.

The best choice is a flash dryer, which delivers consistent heat across the entire print. The RyoFlash Dryer is a go-to option for new printers.

Essential Tools for Ink Curing

Proper curing is necessary to prevent prints from washing out, and several methods are available. Many new printers use their flash dryer for curing, which can be effective while cutting costs. However, various factors like room temperature, T-shirt material, type of flash, platen type, and ink temperature will influence the flashing duration needed to achieve a proper cure.

Alternatively, a heat press offers more reliability, providing stable heat and displaying any temperature fluctuations. If you’re already working with vinyl, a heat press can be a valuable, multi-purpose tool. For large-scale operations, investing in a conveyor dryer can significantly speed up production.

Top-notch Exposure Units

An exposure unit is vital for burning images onto screens. The quality of the exposure unit significantly impacts the results. While some may start with a bulb, the X1620 LED Exposure Unit, or invest more in models like the X2536 LED Exposure Unit, LED units are advantageous. They last longer, consume less energy, and provide optimal wavelengths for sharper stencils. A noteworthy tip is to ensure your screen-burning area is light-safe.

Creating a Space for Screen Cleaning

Dedicated space for rinsing freshly burned screens or reclaiming old ones is essential. A washout booth is optimal for cleaning screens. Although starting with a full-fledged booth might not be feasible for everyone, alternatives like a tub or laundry room sink can work, provided precautions are taken to avoid clogs and handle chemicals safely.

Printing Positives

Creating stencils requires a film printer. Inkjet printers are commonly used for this purpose, with inkjet film having a coated side to hold the ink and maintain image density and shape. Asking local print shops to print film positives is an option if you cannot afford a film printer initially.

Essential Software for Screen Printing

Creating and printing artwork requires certain programs. Adobe® Illustrator or Photoshop are highly recommended for art creation. For those using halftones, separation software like ImagePrint R.E.D. can assist in setting up perfect prints. It's critical to ensure the software works well with your equipment and workflow.

Choosing the Right Screens

Screens and frames are crucial components in screen printing. Screens come in various mesh counts, each suited for different applications. Mesh count determines the screen's thread density. Understanding mesh sizes and their applications can help you achieve the desired print quality.

• 110 — Suitable for polyester inks, white on black prints, block text, white base, and large spot colors.

• 156 — A versatile mesh count for various jobs.

• 200 — Ideal for semi-detailed prints or water-based inks.

• 230 — Great for high-detail and finer lines.

• 280 — Best for larger halftones and ultra-fine detail.

• 305 — Suitable for CMYK, simulated processes, halftones, and ultra-fine details.

Types of Ink for Screen Printing

The most commonly used screen printing inks are plastisol and water-based. Plastisol inks are easier to print, don’t dry in the screen, cure easily, and are vibrant and opaque. Water-based inks provide a softer feel but can dry in the screen and require more effort to achieve a proper cure.

Selecting the Right Emulsion

Emulsion, used to coat screens, comes in diazo and presensitized variants. Presensitized emulsion is highly sensitive, quicker to expose, has a longer shelf life, and captures fine detail well, but it's not beginner-friendly. On the other hand, diazo-mixed emulsion is more forgiving and suitable for beginners due to its larger error margin, though it takes longer to expose.

Additional Supplies to Consider

Apart from the main equipment, you’ll need scoop coaters, screen tape, ink spatulas, platen adhesive, digital thermometers, squeegees, platen tape, and scrub brushes. Don't forget cleaning chemicals! Opt for Sgreen® chemicals, which are eco-friendly and non-hazardous, ensuring safety for you, your screens, plumbing, and the environment.

All-in-One Shop Packages

Feeling overwhelmed by the list of supplies? Shop packages might be the solution for you. These packages include everything necessary to get you started in the screen printing business, saving you the hassle of picking individual items.

With this comprehensive guide, you’re well on your way to setting up a successful screen printing shop. For further insights and detailed information, explore our blogs, videos, and free courses. Happy printing!

Graphic Arts & Printing | Fujifilm [United States]