multi color on discharge base?

[balloonguy]

my question is: if you have a 5 color design do you use a discharge mix for each color or do you discharge the base and just print water base or plastisol on top?
Thanks-
matt

[tonypep]

You can do either

[screenprintguy]

really depends on what you or your customer are looking for as a finished result. If they are looking for that "EXACT" pantone match, and don't mind a slight hand to the finish, do a discharge under base, then finish with plastisol. Or if depending on the color shirts you are planing to print, you can activate all 5 colors. The reason I mention the color of the shirt, is mainly that some shirt's, colors, discharge differently. Just be very open with your customer that if you go with all discharge, there could be slight color variations between colors of shirts, especially, if you go from a black shirt, to say, a purple, or royal blue as most shirts in those colors are horrible for discharging. We always pre test colors that we mix with certain colors. Even that though, say a charcoal grey american apparel shirt will discharge to a nice bright natural color, but a charcoal grey district threads shirt will discharge to a light grey. We have learned to discuss and make out customers very aware of the variations that can happen in full discharging when it comes to the final print's colors. If you discharge under base, then reduce your plastisol finish colors, you will have a nice soft hand vibrant print, with exact pms matches. But like I said, it all boils down to what you and your customer desire for a final result. Hope this helps.

Mike

[Dottonedan]

Yes, you can do either, but I would add that on multi color, as in sim process, all discharge is a great deal if planning in the sep process.  When you are accustom to traditional plastisol over plastisol, those who are more experienced kind of know what to expect. All discharge is treated differently. Inks are far more translucent than most expect. Combining color over colors produces great results this way but can be far different that you might anticipate. Therefore, 1 or 2 revisions may be needed to be built into your schedule if the job requires accuracy until you get better at it. I would practice on some difficult jobs before committing to all discharge with jobs that have tight deadlines.

[balloonguy]

all great advise. I am thinking of running a couple hundred shirts with my logo on them. I can send them out with my balloon order to let people know that we do more than just balloons... Maybe I will try it  both ways and see what I like better.
Thanks,
Matt

[tonypep]

I'm adressing all this and more for a 2-part PW article for next year. By then you guys will have it all figured out though!

[screenprintguy]

all great advise. I am thinking of running a couple hundred shirts with my logo on them. I can send them out with my balloon order to let people know that we do more than just balloons... Maybe I will try it  both ways and see what I like better.
Thanks,
Matt

That's a great idea for you and for your customers to have samples up front of the different process and it's variables. Some customers are a bit more flexible on the outcome, others want a direct guaranteed result. Just always make sure upfront to let a customer know what to expect to eliminate an argument after the fact. Since you are doing the run with your logo, and doing both ways, I would suggest lots of different color shirts, even go a step further and blend in some different brands and styles, this way you have the sampling done, you will be amazed at the huge difference that you will see in the final print going all discharge on various styles, colors of shirts, and brands, but having that part done up front helps later on when quoting a job for customers. Best of luck, post some pics when you have your work done!

Mike

[Screened Gear]

If your trying to show them the differences of discharge and plastisol just split your logo down the middle half in plastisol and the other half in discharge. It makes a great sales tool.

[Dottonedan]

Hmmmmm.   That's interesting. Could be good.  Would have to make it obvious tho so it does not looks like a mistake.

[Gilligan]

If doing that then it's purely for demonstrative purposes... label each one in the design/on the shirt.

[patfinn]

we did the split logo 3 years ago with discharge and plastisol, looked cool, the hardest thing was matching the colors on each side. but it was really cool for customers to see.

[tonypep]

One of todays easy breezies. Three screens DC colors. Quick setup and run (faster than plastisol by far.....no flash) Look ma, no dots!

[ScreenPrinter123]

What were the poly and/or cotton percentages?

[tonypep]

In this case 100% cotton Smoke Gray. Many (but not all) heathered grays work as well.

[jasonl]

One of todays easy breezies. Three screens DC colors. Quick setup and run (faster than plastisol by far.....no flash) Look ma, no dots!

Not even fair!  Which system is that?