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Three Important Factors for Flash-Cure Units

Three Important Factors for Flash-Cure Units

Most screen printers are familiar with the flash-cure unit, and many shops use this piece of equipment as part of their production sequence.  A flash-cure unit is used during production to cure the surface of the ink only, at least, that’s what it’s intended for.

It is important to understand the relationship between several factors that play a role in how well the flash cure gels the ink, and how to manipulate each to get the best results. Here’s what to watch out for when trying to set up the flash for optimal use:

Wednesday, April 6, 2016/Author: Anonym/Number of views (1370)/Comments (0)/
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Nine Circles of Print Registration Hell

Nine Circles of Print Registration Hell

New article from Marshall Atkinson at atkinsontshirt.com. The Inferno is the first part of Dante Alighieri’s famous story, the Divine Comedy, that you were forced to read in high school literature class and have since long forgotten. In the tale, Dante is journeying through hell, and is guided by the poet Virgil.  To get to hell, he passes through nine circles of suffering
To liberally borrow a metaphor for this article, that’s not unlike what it feels to have registration problems on press with a deadline looming.  As t-shirt printers, we’ve all been there.  That image just won’t register.  It has to ship in three hours.  You’ve got a crew standing around while you work your magic.  Your scalp has small bloody circles appearing as you pull your hair out.
Before you just crank down on the squeegee pressure to solve your problem like a rookie, or worse, storm up to the art room like a maniac; settle down and check these nine common problems and see if they show up in your shop.
A good bit of the time these challenges are preventable…
Monday, April 4, 2016/Author: Anonym/Number of views (1391)/Comments (0)/
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Screen Making 101: The Step by Step Process of Making a Screen

Screen Making 101: The Step by Step Process of Making a Screen

It’s true what they say: a good screen print starts with a good screen. This seems simple, but high-quality screen creation is actually one of the more difficult processes to master. With variables like humidity, temperature, aging emulsion, and variations in exposure units, it’s important to really dial in the specifics of your screen making process before jumping into the deep end of screen burning. You can put block out and tape on a screen, trying to salvage it for an hour, but nothing beats a good screen done right the first time. Your customers will notice the difference, too. For the best results, make sure you take proper care with each step, and maybe even implement a few tricks along the way.
Friday, April 1, 2016/Author: Anonym/Number of views (1364)/Comments (0)/
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M&R Showcases Streamlined Parts Department

M&R Showcases Streamlined Parts Department

The M&R Companies release a video that showcases its newly streamlined parts department. Upgrades in the parts fulfillment department come as the latest development in major growth for the company,which includes anew headquarters in Roselle, Ill. in late 2015. 
Wednesday, March 30, 2016/Author: Anonym/Number of views (1536)/Comments (0)/
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Get Rhythm

Get Rhythm

New article from Marshall Atkinson at atkinsontshirt.com. I was running the other day and about halfway through my route when a song came on my playlist that lifted my spirits immensely.  “Get Rhythm” by Johnny Cash.  Sure, it’s an old song.  But sometimes I like to hear tunes that have a little grit and history.  Plus I’m a big fan of the Man in Black.  Not all singers have to shriek through a song like they have their testicles in a vice, right?
Listening to the lyrics of the song (below at the bottom of the article), it occurred to me then that not a lot of people that I encounter daily do things to make themselves feel good or change their position about something. Why is everyone always in a sour mood these days?
Being happy, makes other people happy too.
This can be crucial to your success, especially if you are in a position of leadership or management.  Don’t think others notice that you are in a cranky mood?  Don’t delude yourself.
A crappy mood is like luggage that you are carrying around with you all day.  It is a unnecessary burden, and it affects everything you touch because unless you put down those bags, you aren’t going to handle things correctly.  Everyone you bark at, insult, or growl instructions to just thinks you are a jerk…or worse.
Want to change your outlook and find your happy place so you can interact with others well?  Here are a few ideas that could influence how you see things internally for the better:

Monday, March 28, 2016/Author: Anonym/Number of views (1256)/Comments (0)/
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Which White Ink Should I Get?

Which White Ink Should I Get?

With the choices of white inks in the market, it’s understandable that there is a lot of confusion as to which ink to use and what the differences are between each white.

Obviously, we cannot break down the differences of all the white inks on the market, but we’ve created a couple of tools to help differentiate the white inks that International Coatings manufactures.

The first is our updated Infographic (see image above), basically delineating which white ink to use for two main substrates – cotton vs. polyester.

The second tool is our White Comparison Chart, great for a quick reference, as it lists temperatures, and other ink characteristics.

Check both of them out

Friday, March 25, 2016/Author: Anonym/Number of views (1285)/Comments (0)/
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Understanding the Garment: Selection, Testing, and Prep

Understanding the Garment: Selection, Testing, and Prep

Quality screen printing of apparel begins with the garment itself. The garment impacts every other variable in the process, and understanding how it does so is central to achieving the best possible result. Stitch count, finish, weight, thickness, and fabric properties such as the potential for dye migration and heat sensitivity, as well as the material’s construction and color, all affect the print, and need to be considered in the production process. They may influence the mesh you choose for the job, the ink you select, the print/flash sequence, and much more; these factors, in turn, determine the quality level at which a specific piece of artwork can be reproduced on a particular garment.
Wednesday, March 23, 2016/Author: Anonym/Number of views (1333)/Comments (0)/
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Your Baby is Ugly

Your Baby is Ugly

New article from Marshall Atkinson at atkinsontshirt.com.
That’s right I said it.  Bring the hate.
And by baby, I don’t mean your offspring.  I mean your t-shirt design, embroidery idea or product plan for your new apparel line.  Whew.  Are you sure you are going with that?
This is something that nobody is going to tell you.  Especially your apparel decorator.
Why you ask?
Well, basically they just want to produce the order and get the business.  Even if it is only for that one time when you order.  Because you know.  Your baby is ugly.  There won’t be a reorder…they just can somehow tell; but they are just too polite to tell you.
The standard mantra long used in this industry is “We don’t have to wear it.”
They might hint at the ugly baby a little bit.  If you hear something that sounds like, “Have we told you what a great art department we have?”  That’s a nudge in the right direction.  Not that you are listening.

Monday, March 21, 2016/Author: Anonym/Number of views (1245)/Comments (0)/
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The Perfect Coating

The Perfect Coating

Follow these tips on how to match your emulsion to your ink system

The consumer and retailers of today's market have driven the textile embellishment industry to research and develop new technologies to meet demands. Those demands include more environmentally friendly inks and prints with a softer hand than that which traditional plastisol inks can provide. 
The consumer and retailers of today's market have driven the textile embellishment industry to research and develop new technologies to meet demands. Those demands include more environmentally friendly inks and prints with a softer hand than that which traditional plastisol inks can provide. 
This situation has many printers researching the new ink technologies, which also have been produced through those demands. The ink lines offered today are a combination of both new and old technologies. Let's take a look. 

Friday, March 18, 2016/Author: Anonym/Number of views (1289)/Comments (0)/
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Direct to the Point: Shopping for Direct-to-Screen Equipment

Direct to the Point: Shopping for Direct-to-Screen Equipment

Most textile screen printers today are well aware of the advantages of adding a direct-to-screen (DTS) system into their pre-press workflow. While they can be an expensive addition to a screen shop, in most cases they pay for themselves rather quickly by eliminating film, and reducing labor and overhead costs. A DTS can also provide an immediate quality improvement if it replaces an inkjet or toner-based film workflow.

So what’s important to look for when shopping for a DTS system? In today’s market there are several options, which is good for the buyer, but can make it more difficult to be sure you are purchasing the right product for your shop. To help decide what system is your best match, let’s start by defining the types of DTS equipment available today.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016/Author: Anonym/Number of views (1265)/Comments (0)/
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