Welcome back to another Deep Dive! Today, explore the exciting process of creating a special Made in America giveaway shirt. Follow along with this guide for all the details and products used.
SETTING UP FOR SUCCESS
Introducing the shirt for the Made in America campaign in July, with around 70 or 50 shirts to be printed and given away to customers who order through screenprinting.com. The process begins with the ROQ Press, setting the stage for smooth printing.
PRODUCTS USED:
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LAYING DOWN THE WHITE BASE
The first step involves preparing the white base for the design using a 230 mesh screen and a 75 durometer squeegee blade. Set the squeegee at a 10° angle to achieve a perfect vintage look. Warm up the platen and perform a single flood and print. A quick flash from the flash dryer helps set the white base.
KEY STEPS:
- Setting the squeegee at a 10° angle
- Using a flash dryer to set the base
ADDING COLOR WITH PRECISION
Next, move to the red layer, set up just like the white base. All inks have Fashion Soft additive, which makes the ink blend into the fabric for a vintage feel. Adjust the squeegee angle and use a slower print stroke to ensure the red ink penetrates the fabric perfectly.
WATCH FOR:
- Consistent squeegee angle and pressure
- The use of Fashion Soft additive
For the blue layer, follow the same careful process. Use the same 75 durometer squeegee and maintain a sharp angle to ensure consistency across all colors. The result is a beautifully blended, vintage look that’s both soft and eye-catching.
RELATED: CURABLE REDUCER, SOFT HAND ADDITIVE, EXTENDER BASE: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
HIGHLIGHTING THE DESIGN
Before wrapping up, add a highlight white layer using the same white ink with Fashion Soft additive. This layer softens the underlying colors, adding depth to the design. It’s important to adjust screen tension and off-contact settings for this effect.
HIGHLIGHT TIPS:
- Using Fashion Soft additive for blending
- Adjusting off-contact settings
RELATED: SQUEEGEE DUROMETER AND ANGLE
WRAPPING UP
By the end of the process, a stunning Made in America giveaway shirt is created. From setting up the ROQ Press to fine-tuning squeegee angles and pressures, these steps are full of valuable tips and techniques. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, these insights will help improve your screen printing skills.
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