News

How to Create Your Own Plastisol Heat Transfers

Josh ValenciaMar 15, 2024

Screen printing heat transfers can seem daunting but in reality, it’s fairly simple. If made properly, plastisol heat transfers can last almost as long as a screen prints and can be much easier to apply in certain scenarios like decorating hats, neck labels, names for sport apparel, and more.

Let's walk through the basic components and process of screen printing your own heat transfers.

A Checklist of Equipment & Supplies Needed to Start Screen Print Shop

Josh ValenciaMar 05, 2024

Ready to start screen printing? It's a big jump, but it's so worth it. To build your shop, you will need to obtain some equipment and supplies. Our Sales and Success Team put together a handy check list of everything you should consider investing in your future shop.

How to Prep Plastisol Ink for Screen Printing

Jamie LeinbachOct 17, 2023

When you buy a bucket of plastisol ink, it might have been sitting on a shelf for a bit before it got to your shop. You might notice that your ink has separated a little bit. Even ready-to-use inks can separate over time. Let’s talk about why this happens and what you can do to prep the ink before you head to the press.

Decoding Poly White Inks & Dye Blocker Inks for Screen Printing on Polyester Fabrics

Sage LarsonOct 06, 2023

You may have been perusing the market, looking for inks that’ll help you print on polyester materials like a pro. Have you noticed that there are a few types of polyester inks like a dye blocker ink and Poly White ink? What’s the point? Do you need both? Can you get away with having one or the other? Let’s take a deeper look at dye blocker inks and Poly White inks to see what roles they play in screen printing.

Mastering Color Accuracy with Wilflex Epic Rio Plastisol Ink Mixing System

Sage LarsonSep 18, 2023

In screen printing, your print shop's ability to quickly make color adjustments or to match requested color shades can either make or break a sale. Include high volume production and the ability to print wet on wet and you are narrowing the playing field even more. Your mixing system is as much a sales tool as it is an ink you print with. The Wilflex Rio Mixing system and the IMS 3.0 mixing system are powerful tools that help you quickly mix your desired Pantone solid-coated color simulation.

Graphics Pro Expo 2023: Here’s What You Missed

Jacelyn WedmanJul 28, 2023

Imagine this: you walk into a conference center in Portland, Oregon, finding yourself surrounded by creative entrepreneurs just like you. On your left, a stunning print on a t-shirt catches your eye. That can’t be screen printed, can it? You walk over to check it out. A team member hosting the booth walks over to chat with you. It’s Mark, the sales rep you’ve spoken to dozens of times on the phone. You’re finally getting to meet him in person. You chat for a while, and Mark finds a shirt in your size of that amazing design you were admiring.

But did you imagine it at all? Nope, it was real! And it happened just a week ago, at Graphics Pro Expo (GPX) 2023. Here’s the scoop on the trade show.

A Guide to Screen Printing T-Shirts

Sage LarsonApr 07, 2023

Each printer has their own unique story of why they got into screen printing. Some wanted to start their own clothing line. Others found it as a way to make a living. No matter what boat you're in, screen printing can be challenging. Check out this easy guide to learn the proper steps for screen printing t-shirts.

Everything You Need to Know About Printing with Plastisol Ink

Sage LarsonDec 28, 2022

New screen printers should start printing with plastisol ink. It's more forgiving than water-based ink and it's much easier to achieve proper cure. Even though printing plastisol is more straightforward, there are many techniques to print the ink for various processes. We've created a collection of videos and blogs that explain how to print with plastisol ink in different situations.

How to Screen Print White FN-INK™ on a Black Shirt with a Smoothing Screen | Screenprinting.com

How to Print White Plastisol Ink on a Black Shirt with a Smoothing Screen

Sage LarsonDec 16, 2022

Printing white ink on black shirts is a popular design combination. For this design choice to be most effective, the ink needs to be clean and bright. For the best results, printers should use a smoothing screen. Want to learn how to do it? Print expert Colin Huggins has the answers.

3 Ways to Create Soft Prints with Plastisol Ink

Jacelyn WedmanDec 07, 2022

Soft hand prints are best achieved with water-based ink but can be done with plastisol ink as well. Between the inks you choose to use, the garments you're printing on, to the available ink additives, achieving soft plastisol prints is possible. Let's take a look at three ways to create soft hand prints with plastisol ink.

How to Handle Plastisol Ink in Cool Temperatures

Sage LarsonNov 09, 2022

Are you dreaming about warm summer days when your ink flows oh so smoothly? Winter and its cooler temperatures sure make it difficult for a screen printer, especially with white plastisol inks. The ink feels thick, stringy, and stiff. It requires more effort to lay down a good ink deposit. Does it have to be this hard? Nope. Ink and chemistry guru Colin Huggins shares his secrets to making white plastisol ink easier to handle during the cooler months.

Tips for Adding Many FN-INK™ Specialties into the Same Design

Jacelyn WedmanSep 14, 2022

With seven new specialty inks from FN-INK™, there’s a lot to explore. Gold, silver, puff, extender base, and many other inks and additives all create different awesome effects. With so much to experiment with, why not try to add as many specialty inks in one design as possible? Print expert Colin Huggins is on the case.