The image above is from my first Impressions award winner for CMYK printing. Impressions awards used to showcase the best of the best prints. Some worked on special projects and would spend hours perfecting the print. I pulled mine from the middle of production runs to show what true printing fundamentals can lead to.
I'm going to break this down into two quick parts; 1) How I got to that point 2) The separations.
My mentor Joe Clarke taught me processes. With the proper process, anyone can print award winning shirts. Follow the fundamentals and put in the process.
1-Properly tensioned screens. It all starts with the screen. It's your tool, use it properly. Aim for 26-30 Newtons, anything below 22 restretch or replace. Check your screens regularly.
2-Sharp squeegees. For proper ink shear, you must keep your squeegees sharp. Are you seeing a film of ink left in the screen after your print stroke? Change it. Want super crisp halftones? Try a harder 85 durometer squeegee.
3-Dial in your press. Calibrate your press. Level pallets, print heads, and dial in your speed and pressure. Speed is your friend for not only production, but for changing the rheology of the ink for better printing. Your aim is to print as fast as you can with as little pressure needed.
4-Coat your screens for consistency. Emulsion has to be consistent on your screens and RZ (the smoothness of the stencil) is a bigger factor than EOM. For perfect halftones, face coat the ink well side after you coat and dry to create a funnel for your halftones.
5-Set your self up for consistency and repeatability. This is the key to success and the mark of great print shop. If you follow the same processes for every step of the way, you create a consistent and repeatable product. When issues arise, you can quickly narrow down causes because you know you've take care of the fundamental steps.
Next week, I'll show the separations and my thought process in how I printed this award winning job!
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