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screen printing => Newbie => Topic started by: Lonestarapparel on October 02, 2011, 10:40:23 PM

Title: Its time to tackle Hoodies, advice needed..
Post by: Lonestarapparel on October 02, 2011, 10:40:23 PM

I have been printing on my new auto since april.  I attemped hoodies back then on one order and I could not get a smooth print to save my life.  Its time to give this a try again.  I was printing a two color white with red back then, same as I am attemping now..  I messed around with squeegee pressure, off contact, print speed, i was also using brand new static alluminun screens so the tension should have been ok.   

I am trying another two color job and I was wondering if there is any tricks to a smooth print on fleece?  What should I be checking for? Thanks for the help guys

Brian

Title: Re: Its time to tackle Hoodies, advice needed..
Post by: Frog on October 03, 2011, 01:22:05 AM

Not an auto guy myself, but I know that one trick is run a coated non-imaged screen after a flash to smooth it out by pressing the still warm print.
Not too dissimilar to heat pressing afterwards, another fix-it which is much more time consuming.

Title: Re: Its time to tackle Hoodies, advice needed..
Post by: Socalfmf on October 03, 2011, 08:18:44 AM

Increase off contact and slow the print speed down a bit....you have to make sure the ink releases from the screen...hence having nicely tensioned screens.  and make sure you have tack so the sweatshirt does not lift off board...

good luck man

Sam

Title: Re: Its time to tackle Hoodies, advice needed..
Post by: Doug B on October 03, 2011, 08:51:17 AM

 If you are doing P/F/P, I always do two strokes, flash and then one stroke. I always get a good,
flat print that way whether using 110 or 156. Also, cut you flash to the bare minimum or you may
have problems of shrinking or even scorching fleece.

Title: Re: Its time to tackle Hoodies, advice needed..
Post by: Lonestarapparel on October 03, 2011, 08:59:12 AM

Thanks guys...I will try the screen after the flash and see what that does. 

What kind of squeege angle should I use if the stroke is slow. 

Brian

Title: Re: Its time to tackle Hoodies, advice needed..
Post by: Donnie on October 03, 2011, 11:03:13 AM

Make sure you stir the SH!T out of your ink before you start especially if it is cool in your shop.

Title: Re: Its time to tackle Hoodies, advice needed..
Post by: alan802 on October 03, 2011, 11:26:18 AM

I would say the biggest different is off contact and we usually have to increase printhead air pressure by a good 25% or more, meaning if we print with 25psi through a 110 on cotton tees, to completely clear the screen with one stroke we'll be up around 35psi on hoodies.

Title: Re: Its time to tackle Hoodies, advice needed..
Post by: mjrprint on October 13, 2011, 10:30:31 AM

Slow your print speed down enough to clear the screen. Use web tac. If printing an underbase we usually go with a harder durometer squeegee and then something like 60-70 for the rest. Set you off contact properly also.