Newbie DIY High Density Screen?

[thnkling]

So I've never screen printed and have only done research about what I'm wanting to do. I want to screen print high density ink (grey/metallic) using this pattern http://grab.by/xery on spandex/lycra. I can't seem to find a business that does a one off for this (doesn't make sense $$ wise obviously lol) so I'm trying to do a diy version. Does it have to be a specialty screen? I was thinking about getting one made for me: https://www.etsy.com/listing/157632795/standard-screen-printing-unit-with?ref=listing-13

What are your thoughts? help a gal out

[Frog]

First off, welcome to the board, and the roller coaster we call screen printing.

A setup like you linked may work for flat stock, but will not be easy for shirts. Add to that the ink requirements may specify certain meshes and desired thickness of stencil (as well as material compatibility. Your needs fall way out of the "one size fits all" category.
Next, you will have to read the curing characteristics of your ink and figure a way to do that.

Besides a lot of headaches, a steep learning curve, your DIY may not be that much of a money saver. There are folks who print prototypes, it's just that they charge for them.

[thnkling]

Thanks for the tips Frog! Do you know of anyone who can do a one-off like this? Or is it just too much of a hassle for most people since it's such a pain in the butt?

[Frog]

Have you approached any shops in Atlanta? As I kinda' mentioned, there are folks who will do this as long as it meets their shop rates. Prototypes can be pricey, as a lot of the work in screen printing is in the set-up.

[thnkling]

I've called a few places around town and they either don't have the capabilities or it's not worth their time.

[tonypep]

Yes this will be hard. DIY real difficult if you have never printed. Thick stencil cap film 200-400 micron. More like mold injection.

[thnkling]

I'm willing to learn, if I can buy small amounts for testing and whatnot! Or even if someone can make me a screen (of course for $$) and I can buy the high density ink + stretch additive and do some test prints (I guess I would need to get a squeegee and other screenprinting things - is there a list somewhere on the forum?).

[jvanick]

To expose thick capillary film you'd need a "real" exposure unit... fluorescent units will not have the power to properly expose one of those screens. . You'd definitely be looking at a good investment.. to say nothing about learning how to screen print on an advanced level.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

[tonypep]

Correct. IMO only a seasoned printer with fairly modern equipment is capable of pulling this off without a learning curve of months and some serious $$ for a "project". Best of luck but you'll need that and then some. Most auto shops will likely not want to take this on.

[jvanick]

expanding on Tony's posting:

400mil capfilm is something like $40 a SHEET!!!! and you'll probably burn through at least several of them trying to figure out your correct exposure times... (and you definitely need to use a pressure washer to rinse them out)

plus, I've heard (no direct experience) that for the best results you want to use a high(er) tension screen, so you're probably looking at roller frames and a stretching setup === more $$$ for a beginner...

[Frog]

Bottom line, this particular project, as a DIY, even with someone else making the screen is probably a no-go.

So, figure that, as you are probably starting to see,  it would have cost some real money to get everything you needed anyway, I have a few questions.

What would you pay for this prototype?

Then comes the question to printers out there, What would you charge?

[thnkling]

Hoping to print enough yards to make a bodysuit on lycra. This pattern will be a 1 color (silver/grey) on black. I'm not exactly sure how to value the printed product, but it's for a costume I plan to wear to dragoncon in beginning of September this year.

[Sbrem]

I'm thinking this should cost you hundreds of dollars, not trying to put you off, but you don't realize what you're asking. I've been printing textiles since 1975, and I spent a number of nights and days getting it right (high density) only to find that nobody was willing to pay for it. Even if you did it DIY, how many hours/days do you want to spend trying to something you don't how to do? And have it not work? So, without the compensation, who wants to do it? I do wish you luck though. Maybe you could try somebody at a local college or trade school that has printing courses, and some students who would be willing to work on it for the experience...

Steve

[Frog]

...or maybe come up with a plan "B"

[starchild]

Hoping to print enough yards to make a bodysuit on lycra. This pattern will be a 1 color (silver/grey) on black. I'm not exactly sure how to value the printed product, but it's for a costume I plan to wear to dragoncon in beginning of September this year.

OK it's a costume.. 

You need an 86 mesh screen (wood is fine), a 400 microns thick capillary film,  a 65 duro squeegee and a used flash cure unit..

When you get the screen and cap film, take it to a local screen printer to prep and image for you.. That would entail you giving him the digital copy of the image, he would first degrease the screen and apply the cap film and put it to dry, then he would make a film positive out of your image and expose it onto the screen..

When you receive the imaged screen then you get busy printing.

First you will have to tape some spacers on the four corners of the print side of the screen to create an off contact high enough to clear the height of the HD ink.

Second... hmm.. it will be preferable to create the body suite and then print that way sewing and printing would be more manageable. The sewing because of the interference of the HD ink bellow the presser foot. As far as printing a yard of material you need to consider your screen size and squeegee length- do you intend to rest the screen spacers on areas you already printed?

When you've got all that figured out then you can begin to print and use your used flash  cure unit to print and cure sections at a time.


With this info you can break it down into your own detailed steps and ask more specific questions- like what size screen and squeegee, where to get it, what about working with the stretch additive, how high an offcontact for the screen spacers, how much u should spend on a used flash cure and how long to have it over the Lycra.... and so on...


Everyone here will be able to add their point of view to this now we know this is not a production thing.

I've watched a couple episodes of one of the con series and I appreciate the passion and that a lot of time and effort is spent.

Sent using Tapatalk