Screen Printing

Screen Printing is best used for large orders and relatively complicated designs with 1-6 colors (you can change the colors for a fee, but design must remain the same).

Each design will be identical.

These display an ink change. Note that while the colors change, the image remains the same.

The following is a simplified step-by-step outline of how to screenprint.

Step #1 : Artwork

Fee: We can create any image you like for an art fee of $45 an hour, $25 a half hour or $10 for 15 minutes. If it takes us less than 15 minutes, no charge.

If you have an image already, these are our preferred file types:
.PSD (Adobe Photoshop 6 or below)
.PDF (Adobe Reader)
.AI (Adobe Illustrator 8 or below)
.FH10 (Macromedia Freehand 10 or below)
.CDT (Corel 10 or below)

• We also accept .JPEGs, .GIFs, .BMPs, .TIFFs .EPs and .PNGs but we can not guarantee their quality. They should be at least 300+ dpi or there is a good chance they will be "pixilated".
• Fonts used in any of these applications must be converted to paths or outlines.
  
• Please do not send images in Microsoft Word or Power Point.
• We can print up to six color designs.
• For the difference between Vector and Rastor images, click here
  

Step #2 : Separations

Fee: Called a "camera shot", it is the combination of the separations and transparencies. $20.00 per color.

• If we have to make the image "camera ready" (cleaning up a rough sketch, separations, strokes and contrast) to prep it for screenprinting, we will charge an art fee accordingly.
• Each Separation is a high contrast, black & white image encompassing all of a particular color.
• To "Stroke" is make sure that wherever two colors touch, the lighter color slightly underlaps the darker color.

Below is a sample of a Four color design and how to properly Separate and Stroke each of the four colors.

-----------------Separations---------------

Step #3 : Transparencies

Fee: Included with the "camera shot" charge.

Once Separations are made "camera ready" they are then are printed onto a Transparency.

Step #4 : Screens.

Fee : $30.00 per color / 6 color maximum.

• A: Screens are first coated with a photosensitive emulsion.
• B: Then the transparency is taped on the screen at the proper position .
• C: Then the screen and the transparency are placed into the vacuum exposure unit and the image is "burned" into the photosensitive emulsion.
• D: The screen is then washed with pressurized water , then "blocked out" and taped up for extra protection from pin-holes.

Step #5 : Printing

Fee : Price depends on both the number of items ordered and number of colors in the design. Contact us for specific prices. The more shirts ordered, the lower the cost per shirt. There is a 24 piece minimum.

• A: Each Screen (one per color) is lined up on the press, aligned to both the image and the other screens.
• B: The proper ink is put into each screen.
• C: Then every shirt is lined up on the press's shirt pallets.
• D: Each color is individual printed on each shirt.
• E: Pump Tees does not offer instructions on how to screenprint!

Step #6 : Screen reclaiming

Fee: Included in the screen fee.

After the job is done we use several environmentally safe chemicals to remove the emulsion and image.

• A: Excess ink is removed from the screen.
• B: Screen are wiped clean with soy-based cleaner, and tape is removed.
• C: The screens are then systematically chemically cleaned and then power washed with water at 2400 psi. --- >#1. De-emulsifer #2. Power washed #3. De-hazed #4. Power washed #5. Degreaser #6. Power washed

Screens always remain the property of Pump Tees!

If you have any questions, contact us.

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