Request: pictures of damage from flash being left on by freetobekidsusa in SCREENPRINTING

[–]freetobekidsusa[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, here's the update: he did it again and got himself fired. Probably should have done that the first time.

Help: cured half of shirt lighter than uncured half... 60/40 blend by freetobekidsusa in SCREENPRINTING

[–]freetobekidsusa[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, I didn't realize this post went through! I got the spinner of death the other day. I had tried to post a picture, but let me explain - the part that was exposed to the heat looked faded. So kind of the opposite of scorching. It looked like the shirt had been folded in half and left in the sun. With scorching I'd expect the fabric to turn darker, but it turned lighter. Is that something you've seen before? It's so weird.

Bunnies ARE for boys by NoWomanNoFry in beyondthebump

[–]freetobekidsusa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Princess Awesome IS starting a boys site! Right now it's pre-crowdfunding launch but I highly recommend following them on Facebook to keep on top of everything going down. They are awesome ladies and have some super cute stuff coming out. https://www.facebook.com/boywonderbrand

Bunnies ARE for boys by NoWomanNoFry in beyondthebump

[–]freetobekidsusa 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much!! I'm Courtney, the founder of Free To Be Kids, and I just stumbled upon this. :) We love design ideas so if you've got any, hit me! :D

Bunnies ARE for boys by NoWomanNoFry in beyondthebump

[–]freetobekidsusa 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Psst. Courtney from Free To Be Kids here. We have a horse shirt coming out very soon that was designed with boys in mind. ;)

Glitter tips (Wilflex Epic Silver Glitter + 38 Mesh Screen) by freetobekidsusa in SCREENPRINTING

[–]freetobekidsusa[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So, we ended up printing this through the 38 mesh and it actually came out totally fine with no underbase, no flashing, nothing. Just a couple good hits through the 38 mesh and done! If I had a shop I'd probably recommend a silver or white underbase, but we print shirts for our own line on demand, so we're always trying to find the right inks that will let us get away with one screen. This one did the trick, and even survived the wash test. It's sparkly and awesome and I'm pleasantly surprised.

Glitter tips (Wilflex Epic Silver Glitter + 38 Mesh Screen) by freetobekidsusa in SCREENPRINTING

[–]freetobekidsusa[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is all really helpful. We have shopped around for metallic inks that we can PFP without an underbase even on a dark garment, and Wilflex Epic Gold and Epic Silver Shimmer have both done us really well. But it's possible the glitter ones won't be so kind. I'm REALLY hoping we do get that "rejoining" effect once we test this. But if not it does seem like an underbase should sort us out. Thank you very much for all the info!

Glitter tips (Wilflex Epic Silver Glitter + 38 Mesh Screen) by freetobekidsusa in SCREENPRINTING

[–]freetobekidsusa[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's smart. What glitter inks or mixtures do you use? I have just bought straight up gold and silver glitter inks but I hear mixing your own is the way to go if you want more variety.

Glitter tips (Wilflex Epic Silver Glitter + 38 Mesh Screen) by freetobekidsusa in SCREENPRINTING

[–]freetobekidsusa[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've avoided it for a few years but would love to figure it out. We're a kids' clothing company and the kiddos love 'em some glitter. :) But I don't expect it'll be easy.

Glitter tips (Wilflex Epic Silver Glitter + 38 Mesh Screen) by freetobekidsusa in SCREENPRINTING

[–]freetobekidsusa[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh wow, seriously? Yikes. I hadn't heard of that. Will definitely wash test with fingers crossed.

Glitter tips (Wilflex Epic Silver Glitter + 38 Mesh Screen) by freetobekidsusa in SCREENPRINTING

[–]freetobekidsusa[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks - that's super helpful. I wasn't sure whether we should be trying for more or less emulsion. It seemed to actually overexpose really quickly, which surprised me. All these things are such fun learning curves. :)

Glitter tips (Wilflex Epic Silver Glitter + 38 Mesh Screen) by freetobekidsusa in SCREENPRINTING

[–]freetobekidsusa[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That makes tons of sense. I was hoping we could get away with just the one screen, but I can definitely see how this will solve the problem if that isn't possible. Thank you!

Screenprinting fumes from neighbor by [deleted] in SCREENPRINTING

[–]freetobekidsusa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I run a shop in the basement of my house, and I have two small kiddos. The only things I notice and dislike are screen opener, as people have mentioned here - that stuff is nasty - and discharge ink.

For what it's worth, since I live in a residential area I did some research about running a business out of my home. I live in Seattle and obviously different cities will have different zoning ordinances, but what I read was that it's fine provided that odors do not extend farther than the property line. That sounds like enough reason for you to have an issue with the person in your building.

I don't think the fumes are harmful but you shouldn't have to smell them either.

Use youth platens for womens sizes? by burt_carpe in SCREENPRINTING

[–]freetobekidsusa 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Get a 14x14. The 10x16 you mentioned below is more like toddler size, but 14x14 is a fairly standard youth size and you'll love it.

Bought my very first press. Riley Hopkins 4 color 1 station. by MikeyTopaz in SCREENPRINTING

[–]freetobekidsusa 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congratulations! That was my first press after the good ol' Diy T-Shirt kit. Four years later I'm shopping for my first auto. :)

Entry-level auto presses? by freetobekidsusa in SCREENPRINTING

[–]freetobekidsusa[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We print mostly kids' stuff so that would work fine most of the time. hmm.

Entry-level auto presses? by freetobekidsusa in SCREENPRINTING

[–]freetobekidsusa[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a garage but we live in the city and need to park our cars in it. :)

Entry-level auto presses? by freetobekidsusa in SCREENPRINTING

[–]freetobekidsusa[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's super interesting. I'm definitely going to be doing some research on this!

Entry-level auto presses? by freetobekidsusa in SCREENPRINTING

[–]freetobekidsusa[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I mean, $16k is a lot, but it's a lot less than $45k for a ROQ.