The Inkologist

Hey everyone — If your shop slows down over the holiday break (and again in January/February), that downtime is one of the smartest chances you’ll get all year to protect the investments that make you money: your screen printing and embroidery equipment. When production is slammed, maintenance turns into “we’ll get to it later.” Later becomes breakdowns, missed deadlines, and expensive emergency parts. The slow season is your window to get ahead—clean, inspect, adjust, and reset everything so...

Choosing the right durometer for your squeegee blade in screen printing is crucial for achieving optimal print quality. The durometer refers to the hardness of the squeegee blade, which directly affects the amount of ink deposited onto the substrate, the sharpness of the print, and the overall consistency of the printing process. For my shop, we printed high detail and were aiming for the thinnest possible ink deposit and used an 85 durometer. But as in everything, each shop is different and...

This week I wanted to share a tutorial on color separations. I've been asked to separate several parodies of "Stranger Things" and here's how to do it. 810 Donnell Ave, FT WAYNE, IN 46808Unsubscribe · Preferences

Your Shop’s Guide to Cleaner, Faster, More Consistent Screens Keeping a clean screen room is the backbone of consistent production. Whether you’re a small shop reclaiming 20 screens a week or a large shop cycling 200+, following a standardized reclaim system eliminates pinholes, haze, and stencil failures before they reach the press. Below is a clear, shop-friendly breakdown of Antony’s 10-Step Reclaiming Process-designed to help your team reclaim faster, cleaner, and with fewer mistakes. 1️⃣...

Screen printing on hoodies can be challenging due to the thicker, textured fabric, but with the right techniques, you can get vibrant and long-lasting prints. Last week we discussed different adhesive options and best choices. This week we discuss printing techniques to achieve the best fleece prints. 1. Pre-Treat and Pre-Heat the Fabric Hoodies often have loose fibers and moisture that can interfere with the print. Use a lint roller to remove loose fibers, and preheat the hoodie with the...

Part 1 of 2-Screen printing on hoodies is a necessary and a lucrative part of printing here in the northern part of the country, but it does come with its challenges, especially when it comes to using the right adhesives. Hoodies are thicker and often vary in the weave and inside fleece texture, which can make it tricky to get a perfect print. Here, we’ll cover some of the top tips and tricks to achieve sharp, lasting designs with adhesives that ensure precision and ease. 1. Choose the Right...

Automate & Elevate: Using AI to Improve Daily Screen Printing Operations Running a screen-printing shop is equal parts creativity and chaos — orders flying in, mock-ups needing approval, marketing content due yesterday… the list never ends. Luckily, AI tools are making it easier than ever to streamline the busywork so you can focus on printing great shirts. Here’s how you can leverage AI today to make your shop more profitable, productive, and consistent: Automate Your Email Workflow Tired of...