Just a few tips. I’ve screen printed for a few years. You don’t clean the screen between shirts. I would only make one pass with the squeegee, not two, unless you see a problem. Don’t press too hard, keep an angle to the squeegee, too vertical and it doesn’t screen well. Lastly, keep the image smaller than your widest squeegee. It only causes problems to do multiple passes. Also, white ink is a pain. It is thicker than any other ink. Some brands are better than others when it cones to consistency.
I agree, you don't wash teh screen between shirts, but, you might want to try flooding the mesh before taking the screen off the press, so that it shouldn't dry in the screen as quickly, amd keep the edges crisper
Also, I saw that you were pushing the screen down and locking it in place for each color, you shouldn't need to adjust the height after you start, the screen should be set and locked in at 1/16" to 1/8" of what is referred to as 'off contact' when you squeegee, you actually stretch the screen down that small distance, and when you release the squeegee pressure the screen returns to the off contact distance, and disconnects the sceen from the shirt right away, with the off contact you shuldn't have an issue with the shirt pulling up when you lift the screen. Consistency grows when you change less between items. You have to swap the screens, you have to swap the substrate, you don't need to adjust the height or position on each item. You would need to readjust the off contact if you switched from something like tee shirts to tote bags, that are usually a thicker fabric. Good luck, have fun, and thanks for sharing
I love your design. You did an amazing job, considering how long this process takes. I think the seams in a t-shirt are an issue no matter what type of process you may use.
Karley, beautiful video.Actually, just bought my own XTool this morning, can't wait to have it. But washing your video gives me a great tutorial and things to watch out for once I get started. Thank you..
so how have you improved over the last 7 months. what was your learning curve? I haven't screen printed since high school - a very long time ago - but will be getting my xtool screen print kit this week. I currently do dye sublimation of poly and 50/50 shirts, but am looking forward to being able to print on dark shirts.
Cool video. I'd suggest looking into "flooding" your screens between prints. You don't want any ink (water based or not) drying in the mesh as it will clog the individual squares/pores that make up the messhx and distort your image. There are lots of YT videos showing methods for different comfortability/experience levels ie: push vs pull methods for screening, types of inks + curing method/time, registration marks to allign designs and flooding/amount of passes per design.
Thanks for doing this video! I would be interested in knowing if you need to wash the screen between each application and which ink will last longer in the wash?
Mornin' :) I have an M1, so it looks like I won't be doing any screen prints anytime soon. I have done a five color HTV shirt where I used registration marks in the upper corners to line up each color. Having zero experience with screens, would it be possible to add a circle at the top center of your design so you can see through the screen, then place a round sticker on the shirt in a corresponding place? That way you're lined up, and the ink in the circle goes onto the sticker which you peel off when you're done. Would that work?
QUESTION:: When you take the screens out of the frames to do more projects how do you get the multi-colored screens back in the frames all aligned for more multi-colored screenprinting? Can you do this?
Technically you can. I haven’t tried. I left mine in the frames. But if you put them back in the frames, you’re theoretically able to use the adjustment knobs to get them lined up.
x-tool advertises this as the fastest way to screen print. this is not true. I love this equipment, it looks well built and being able to laser your screens is pretty cool...but 1 to 3 hours to make a screen? ridiculous. this can be done many times faster using a vinyl cutter.
Just a few tips. I’ve screen printed for a few years. You don’t clean the screen between shirts. I would only make one pass with the squeegee, not two, unless you see a problem. Don’t press too hard, keep an angle to the squeegee, too vertical and it doesn’t screen well. Lastly, keep the image smaller than your widest squeegee. It only causes problems to do multiple passes. Also, white ink is a pain. It is thicker than any other ink. Some brands are better than others when it cones to consistency.
Thank you so much for the tips!! I really appreciate it- I will definitely use this advice moving forward!
I agree, you don't wash teh screen between shirts, but, you might want to try flooding the mesh before taking the screen off the press, so that it shouldn't dry in the screen as quickly, amd keep the edges crisper
Also, I saw that you were pushing the screen down and locking it in place for each color, you shouldn't need to adjust the height after you start, the screen should be set and locked in at 1/16" to 1/8" of what is referred to as 'off contact' when you squeegee, you actually stretch the screen down that small distance, and when you release the squeegee pressure the screen returns to the off contact distance, and disconnects the sceen from the shirt right away, with the off contact you shuldn't have an issue with the shirt pulling up when you lift the screen. Consistency grows when you change less between items. You have to swap the screens, you have to swap the substrate, you don't need to adjust the height or position on each item. You would need to readjust the off contact if you switched from something like tee shirts to tote bags, that are usually a thicker fabric. Good luck, have fun, and thanks for sharing
No.1 good work…where to get more coated screens so u can do more images where to order them
I appreciate that you share your learning process. Too many only share immediate success. I'm learning to use mine, too. White gave me challenges too.
I love your design. You did an amazing job, considering how long this process takes. I think the seams in a t-shirt are an issue no matter what type of process you may use.
Good JOB! I've been wanting to try this. Thanks for showing everything. 🙂
Karley, beautiful video.Actually, just bought my own XTool this morning, can't wait to have it. But washing your video gives me a great tutorial and things to watch out for once I get started. Thank you..
so how have you improved over the last 7 months. what was your learning curve? I haven't screen printed since high school - a very long time ago - but will be getting my xtool screen print kit this week. I currently do dye sublimation of poly and 50/50 shirts, but am looking forward to being able to print on dark shirts.
Cool video. I'd suggest looking into "flooding" your screens between prints. You don't want any ink (water based or not) drying in the mesh as it will clog the individual squares/pores that make up the messhx and distort your image. There are lots of YT videos showing methods for different comfortability/experience levels ie: push vs pull methods for screening, types of inks + curing method/time, registration marks to allign designs and flooding/amount of passes per design.
Thanks for doing this video! I would be interested in knowing if you need to wash the screen between each application and which ink will last longer in the wash?
Great video u ain't hiding nothing thank u
Is your speed ball ink also water based? Thanks for the video, I have been nervous to try mine! Great tutorial
Mornin' :) I have an M1, so it looks like I won't be doing any screen prints anytime soon. I have done a five color HTV shirt where I used registration marks in the upper corners to line up each color. Having zero experience with screens, would it be possible to add a circle at the top center of your design so you can see through the screen, then place a round sticker on the shirt in a corresponding place? That way you're lined up, and the ink in the circle goes onto the sticker which you peel off when you're done. Would that work?
Question! You would have to buy new coated screens for each design? And if so, how much are the screens?
I have the same questions. Can the screens be reused somehow?
QUESTION:: When you take the screens out of the frames to do more projects how do you get the multi-colored screens back in the frames all aligned for more multi-colored screenprinting? Can you do this?
Technically you can. I haven’t tried. I left mine in the frames. But if you put them back in the frames, you’re theoretically able to use the adjustment knobs to get them lined up.
Also, we are our own worst critics. Keep that in mind while you're learning. I find microscopic mistakes in my work and people love it...
3hrs?
x-tool advertises this as the fastest way to screen print. this is not true. I love this equipment, it looks well built and being able to laser your screens is pretty cool...but 1 to 3 hours to make a screen? ridiculous. this can be done many times faster using a vinyl cutter.
They REFUSE to support their screen printing XTool use with D1 and will NOT sell extra screens and materials! TOTAL scam!
I was able to order extra screens in packs of 4 through their website.
I saw extra screens for sale on xtool
yes, the screens cost about $7 each. I ordered a 4 pack and extra frames with my original purchase, which I get this week.