Is it possible to reclaim a screen that has a small hole or two in it, or is it not worth the work? This was a question posed by a Printwear reader, and here is Kieth Stevens’ response:

PXP Solutions creates unique special effects sure to leave a lasting impression

When it comes to white inks, there is no “magic in a bucket.”  Different applications or fabrics will require different whites, which is why Wilflex™ offers a wide variety of white ink products to ensure you can always find the right ink to fill your needs. 

Follow these tips to become familiar with this important component of the scree-prep process. 

As any good business owner knows, there are two basic ways to make your business more profitable: adjust pricing for higher margins, or lower your costs. Alternative inks can help with the latter, provided the ink that you select meets your company's needs and goals. The right alternative consumables company that offers products with enhanced features, lower costs, and ancillary products may even help win you more business. It seems like a simple equation, but please read on for some information that can help you make an informed choice.

A booth can often be constructed of black plastic sheeting, which is relatively cheap to purchase. Choose a location close to the washout area to minimize exposure to light. Simply construct a 1′ x 3′ wooden frame and determine where to place the entry to the dark room. Staple the plastic to the frame and overlap some plastic to create the “door.” By overlapping the plastic sheets, it will minimize the light coming through during entry and exit. Also, be sure that the plastic cover reaches to the floor to block out light completely.

New article from Marshall Atkinson and atkinsontshirt.com: Last week I spoke to a shop owner that completed a rush contract screen-printing order.  It was a simulated process, two location job for a repeat customer.  They do work for them constantly, and this particular job had to go out in a hurry.  The client’s artist sent them the art, with each of the colors for the files already separated.
Because of the rush, and the fact that the client sent separated art, the shop neglected to send an art approval confirming the image.  The art department didn’t think to verify the separations matched the provided mock up.  The problem the shop faced was that an item in the design separations was the wrong color.  Nobody caught the mistake until it was out the door and already on an UPS truck.  Ut oh.
So what do you do now, my client asked?

In a recent article published by Impressions magazine, Kieth Stevens gives us some tips on how to properly use a squeegee.

I visit hundreds of print shops a year — teaching, training and sharing. I also visit a few trade shows and distributors’ open houses. One thing I see in the trade shows and open houses that I rarely see in professional print shops is printers who are pushing the squeegee instead of pulling it.

Now, I’m not saying that there isn’t a time and place for pushing — I sometimes push the squeegee instead of pulling it when I need to move an image a tad in that upward direction in order for my registration to line up correctly without having to re-adjust the entire screen. However, those times are more the exception rather than the norm.

What are some considerations for choosing UV-safe bulbs, and how important are they for my screens? This was a question posed by a Printwear reader, and here is Kieth Stevens’ response: