lablover

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Posts posted by lablover

  1. Posted

    @ lablover - sorry man, I didn't read the op well enough...did not realize that you were thinking about building a press to take on work. in that case what dj said is spot on. It's a learning curve for sure and even though I had my screens made for me at first, I've since learned all of those things he spoke of and now do everything myself. It's work, but I do it for myself mostly so it's worth it for me. if you're serious about screening shirts there's money in it, but practice first because you will make mistakes.

     

    *EDIT* here are the pics of my "homegrown" silkscreen press. anyone can make one...

     

    so I started with this:

    http://forum.uscutter.com/uploads/gallery/album_261/gallery_94932_261_762265.png

     

    and this:

    http://forum.uscutter.com/uploads/gallery/album_261/gallery_94932_261_7947.png

     

    and this:

    http://forum.uscutter.com/uploads/gallery/album_261/gallery_94932_261_847445.png

     

    We wound up with this...this pic is just before I finished it. I sanded and painted it completely with a good oil based stain (overkill??? it works...)

    http://forum.uscutter.com/uploads/gallery/album_261/gallery_94932_261_1074558.png

     

    had to learn how to make these...it was a PROCESS   :blink:

    http://forum.uscutter.com/uploads/gallery/album_261/gallery_94932_261_34626.png

     

    Here's the finished product...water based ink that we let air dry and then tossed into the dryer (inside out) for about a half an hour.

    http://forum.uscutter.com/uploads/gallery/album_261/gallery_94932_261_544616.png

     

    Like I said...we make tees over here strictly for funsies. I have seen REAL presses and they are built to last for commercial use. IMHO this is geared more towards the hobbyist, but as another wiser member pointed out - build one of these on the cheap, do a few jobs for friends who aren't gonna bust your stones about bein' perrrrrrfect...and before you know it you'll have enough to buy a good one for production.

    Seems I need a good project here soon...LOL

    • Like 1

  4. Posted

    I'm thinking about doing some silk screen.  I've gotten orders for some shirts that I assume would of been lots easier doing it silk screen.  Any advice for a starter 4 color press.  Was looking at the DIY system at screenprinting.com I've also turned down some orders that are 3-4 color and would of been murder HTV.  Sublimation is OK but looking to expand color of shirts..LOL  Tried that special Sublimation paper for cotton but worried about wear factor.

     

    Looking for all suggestions 

  9. Posted

    Looking at the product website that is basically like the rest of the 3G and other transfer paper with the added ability to use sublimation ink rather than just pigment. Makes me wonder now if JPSS or 3G would work with dye sub ink. Hmmmm. I don't think I'll do that just because the ink is a bit more spendy but in a pinch....

    I'm curious the advantage of using dye sub ink as opposed to regular ink?

  10. Posted

    I used cobra Sublimation ink.

     

    As far as stiff.  It wasn't like sublimation for sure..was a bit thicker seemed like some coating a little stiffer for sure.  I final output is real nice.  I guess the stiffness could be close to Silk Screen paint.

    • Like 1

  13. Posted

    So, I just tried a sample of this itrans light transfer paper I got from the show a wile back....Ummmmm this stuff seems to work awesome.  I was able to Sublimate on 100% cotton and the finished product was very nice.  The only thing I thought was odd is it left a layer like substance under the print.  So, trimming the paper right to the design would of been best. 

     

    HAs anyone used this stuff?  Any opinions?

     

    Seems like a way to be able to compete with silkscreen folks.

     

    Like I mentioned, it gave gray quality image and I liked the fact it didn't have those polyester like quirks..  i.e paper outlines etc.

     

    Would love to hear what anyone has to say..or other options like this.

     

    Joe

  14. Posted

    I normally use vapor foam, or like Jay I use cotton shirts or something that will soften the pressure to the paper that leaves the lines. How do you fair out with the platen outline?

    Same Same...Sometimes I get the outline.   If I use a foam pad underneath it helps a lot.  If the design is way too big and can't then sometimes the platen edge shows its ugly face.

     

    Gonna try that cotton shirt thing.  I just ran into a odd issue I never had before as well.

     

    Sublimation ink just went all the way thru the shirt to the other side.  Jiffy 100% poly shirts...hmmmmmm

  16. Posted

    OK, these sublimation shirts are making me crazy.  I get the lines from the paper on the shirt.  So, where the edge of the paper hits the shirt I get lines.  ughhhhh  I tried tearing the paper for a raged edge but still get it.  Reduced pressure, still get it.  Reducing the pressure helps but if I reduce any more then my print looks bad.

     

    Any other tricks I might be missing?

     

    Thanks Folks

     

    Joe

  21. Posted

    one of my favorite sports is shooting.  Anyway, I was at the Camp Perry Highpower matches for the last month and have to say it was pretty exciting.

     

    I'll try to make this quick.  I created a few decals and cut out about 100 to bring with me.  Instead of trying to peddle these out of my trunk I figured I'd visit one of the vendors thats pretty popular and ask him to display them and sell them for a cut on the profits.

     

    So, to make a long story short.  While I was showing him the decals and showing how they apply a customer walked in and said..Ohh..cool can I buy some of those.  The store owner told him the price (100%) higher than what I was selling them for and the customer bought 10.  After the sale the store owner looked at me and said, "How about I just buy them all from you right now" and lets forget trying to track commission etc.  I was thrilled to death!  A few days later I went by the store and he had sold them all!!  He told me he would be interested in putting them in his catalog for sale if I could work out a deal with him on price etc.

     

    Well he took me to lunch and we hashed out a deal for the "First" order.  Yea, I'm gonna be busy.  3000 decals.  Wooohoooo  I think I need another cutter...LOL  Even after a price break I'm doing very well..This decal takes about 30 sec to weed if that. Better stock up on some blades  :)

     

    Never could f pulled it off without a little help from friends here!

     

     

    • Like 9