Loading shirts straight on platens - Screen Printing Tips

[@tlopez5069]

I truly admire your amazing effort and determination you put into your work and content. You inspire so many and will change their lives. Thank your for your amazing content.

[@startupscreenprinting]

Thank you so much, T!

[@louetidhafer4146]

what i really admire in your content is that u take your time to explain the very little info and that's in my humble opinion what makes the difference . well done 💯

[@startupscreenprinting]

Thank you! My goal isn't to put on a show, it's to cover those little details so that more people understand screen printing :) thank you for the kind words

[@leviteapparel]

Amazing information 👌🏿 thanks again

[@startupscreenprinting]

Happy to help!

[@dtruth5988]

OMG this was my first problem when I started printing. It was so frustrating that it had me paranoid when I first started. I still practice to get better at it. Thanks for addressing this issue for new screen printers.

[@startupscreenprinting]

I’m glad it’s not just me! Haha I still need work at it too. It’s definitely intimidating to see so many make it look easy but it’s definitely not easy haha.

[@byronwilkinson9548]

I'm right in the middle of those emotions i wanted to sell everything except my heat press yesterday!

[@startupscreenprinting]

😂

[@heatherjennings145]

Awesome--as always, great content!

[@startupscreenprinting]

Thanks Heather!

[@jpjones8823]

Excellent video - keep up the good content

[@startupscreenprinting]

Thanks JP!

[@danacostello5908]

Thank you. Been looking for this video for years. It helped.

[@startupscreenprinting]

Oh good! Glad it helped!

[@FizzzieCat]

I have cut a card to the size of the platen, then placing it over a shirt, I use a ruler to align it, then using tailor's chalk, I make short little guide strokes on the shirt using the edge of the card as a guide. Then I simply align the shirt with the strokes on the edge of the platen.

[@startupscreenprinting]

That’s certainly one way to do it

[@distinctperformancellc]

Great tip. Very detailed. Thanks

[@startupscreenprinting]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@firstdayonline]

Thank you!

[@startupscreenprinting]

You’re welcome!

[@hockeyfan6657]

It’s insane how crooked some shirts are actually made. Most of our customers get Gildan but we print on all kinds of brands.

[@startupscreenprinting]

So true! It’s amazing. And it’s also crazy how many retail shirts at stores are printed crooked haha. Never notice till you’re a printer lol

[@Iwantsitt2]

How do you set the screen gap? I have a four color 2 station press and my 2and color is very light. The screens are brand new. Tia

[@startupscreenprinting]

are you referencing the off-contact? That is typically about the thickness of nickel or a quarter, sometimes more depending on what you're printing on. If you could give more details about your whole process and what the end result is (the problem) I can try to give a more specific solution. When you say the color is light, what mesh are you using? does it need a second layer, perhaps? or you could be getting your underbase too hot and/or too thick.

[@Iwantsitt2]

@@startupscreenprinting its 160 mesh. The first color ( white ) comes out great flash dry it then rotate the screen to the second color ( red ) looks dull compared to what it looks like in the bucket. It is water base ink. Do you think I should second coat the red?

[@startupscreenprinting]

@Iwantsitt2 yeah water based is typically more dull when printed, that’s why the Pantone used to mix is solid uncoated vs solid coated used with plastisol. I would definitely try a second pass after flashing and see if that helps. Don’t get it too hot though

[@Iwantsitt2]

@@startupscreenprinting thank you I'll give this a try.

[@startupscreenprinting]

@Iwantsitt2 let me know if that doesn’t help

[@RichardThompsonCA]

This is a huge problem for me. I have around a 30% "crooked rate" 😂

[@startupscreenprinting]

Haha I get it! It's not easy and I still struggle at times. Especially certain designs. If it's a circle design, it's way less noticeable if it's a tad off. If it's a short, horizontal design, though.... man those can be a pain!

[@6lack9anther]

Wouldn't auto printer still have the same problem because they still have to out the shirts on manually.

[@startupscreenprinting]

Yes, they just usually have larger platens which makes loading them straight a bit easier, but still a potential issue

[@jakebertrand8414]

how tacky are your platens during this process? I think I may be over tacking mine, making them difficult to load

[@startupscreenprinting]

Yeah if they’re super sticky that can be an issue. Maybe try keeping the adhesive about an inch from the edge of the platens. Also try not to drag the shirt across the whole platten, have it raised a bit and that could help.

[@startupscreenprinting]

Pretty tacky with the printgrips I have. When I was using adhesive I’d keep it about an inch from the edges and that helped the shirt not get stuck. Also try to lift the shirt as you load so it doesn’t drag. Hope that helps!