Are you excited to dive into the colorful world of screen printing? Whether you’re a complete newbie or have some experience under your belt, our screen printing classes are designed to help you master this fantastic craft. Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect from both our Basics and Intermediate classes, and help you decide which one is the right fit for you.
YOUR GATEWAY TO SCREEN PRINTING
If you’re new to screen printing and have never touched a squeegee or printed a shirt, the Basics class is where you should start. This class is perfect for beginners who want to get a good introduction to screen printing. You'll learn how to set up and take care of your dark room, and the right way to clean your screens. Understanding how to reuse screens and choosing the right emulsion are important skills you'll master. You'll also get hands-on experience with basic artwork flow using Illustrator, choosing the right mesh for your art, and printing films. Aligning films to screens using a pre-registration template will make sure your designs come out perfectly.
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The class also covers the right techniques for exposing a screen and washing it out, as well as registering your multicolor jobs correctly. You’ll get to practice good screen printing techniques, including spot color printing, and learn about different types of apparel. Knowing what inks to use on different fabrics is crucial, and you'll get tips on the business side of screen printing. Plus, you'll learn about the essential tools used in screen printing and how to properly print white ink. By the end of the Basics class, you’ll have a good understanding of screen printing and the confidence to start your own projects.
TAKING YOUR SKILLS TO THE NEXT LEVEL
For those with some screen printing experience, such as having printed before or coated screens, the Intermediate class is the next step. This class goes deeper into advanced techniques and tools, perfect for those looking to improve their skills. You’ll explore advanced film printing with RIP software, learning about film density and dot creation. The class also covers direct-to-screen techniques and automatic screen coating, which make your screen preparation process easier.
Understanding how to measure and keep up EOM and the impact of emulsion solids count is key for high-quality prints. You’ll also learn thin thread techniques and how to pick the right mesh for your art to make your prints better. Advanced registration techniques are covered, helping you to perfect your multicolor prints with very tight registration. You’ll also master halftones and wet-on-wet printing methods. An overview of different apparel types will help you understand how different fabrics affect your prints. You'll get to try out special effects and advanced inks, including waterbase, discharge, and other special effects. Hands-on experience with automatic screen printing machines like the ROQ Auto is included, giving you valuable practical knowledge.
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WHICH CLASS IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Choosing between the Basics and Intermediate classes depends on your current level of experience and your goals. If you’ve never screen printed before or have very little experience, start with the Basics class. It will give you a strong foundation and essential skills. If you’ve already printed a few shirts, coated screens, and understand basic screen printing concepts, the Intermediate class will help you improve your skills and learn advanced techniques.
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Both the Basics and Intermediate screen printing classes offer valuable knowledge and hands-on experience. Whether you’re just starting or looking to get better at screen printing, our classes are designed to help you on your journey. Join us and turn your creative ideas into vibrant prints! Feel free to ask any questions or sign up for our classes today. Let’s make your screen printing dreams a reality!