The Secrets of Wet-On-Wet Printing — Featuring Lee Stuart
When it comes to screen printing, there’s always more to learn—and nobody captures that constant hustle quite like Lee Stuart. In his latest video from Rogue Lab, Lee gives us a deep dive into one of the trickier techniques in screen printing: wet-on-wet printing. It’s messy, it's technical, and it’s incredibly satisfying when you get it right.
We’re excited to feature this video and break down some of the key lessons, tools, and shop improvements Lee shares—because whether you’re printing your first multi-color job or refining your process on a Riley Hopkins press, this stuff is gold.
What Makes Wet-On-Wet So Challenging?
Wet-on-wet printing means you’re laying down one ink after another without flashing in between every color. It saves time, but it requires finesse—especially when printing bold, blocky artwork rather than halftone-rich sim process designs.
Lee points out the biggest struggle: managing pallet temperature. If your pallets get too hot, inks can lift, smear, or stick to the next screen. In this run, he used his Stampinator and flash unit strategically—shorter dwell times, programmed indexing pauses—to keep things cool and crisp.
Dialing in a Complex Print: Tools + Technique
Lee’s Setup:
- Base white laid down with the Stampinator
- Five vibrant colors printed wet-on-wet
- Flash
- Black detail layer
- Another flash
- Final highlight white
It’s a stacked print order, and the key to making it work came down to timing and control—especially around that Stampinator. Without a built-in temp probe, it can easily overheat the platen if left down too long.
Pro tip: If you’re using a Stampinator or similar tool, experiment with just enough dwell time to gel the ink without cooking your boards. And if you’re not using an auto, an infrared thermometer and a little patience go a long way.
Black-on-Black Magic: A Custom Shop Technique
One of the coolest moments in the video? Lee’s approach to black-on-black prints. Instead of dropping a single layer of black ink on a black tee, he runs a two-screen setup:
- A 225 mesh base
- A press with the Stampinator to smooth it out
- A 300 mesh top black for ultra-clean finish
The result? A print that pops with texture and sheen, even across the room. It’s sleek, high-end, and totally unique—exactly the kind of outside-the-box thinking we love to see.
RELATED: BLACK ON BLACK PRINTING TECHNIQUES
Lessons from the Lab
Here’s what we’re taking from Rogue Lab this week:
- Control your heat. Pallet temps are everything in wet-on-wet.
- Tweak and test. Don’t be afraid to mess with dwell times, print order, and flash settings.
- Simplify your shop. Every small improvement—labels, carts, mats—adds up.
- Push creative boundaries. That black-on-black method? Chef’s kiss.
Shoutout to Lee Stuart for the constant inspiration and for sharing the behind-the-scenes realness. Wet-on-wet is a beast, but with the right tools and process, it’s absolutely conquerable.
🛠️ Ready to upgrade your own wet-on-wet game? Check out our Riley Hopkins presses, Screens & Emulsios, and other shop essentials to dial in your workflow.