can anyone help me source screenprinting equipment?

[Lorraine Buchan]

Hi Simon,

I’d be happy to help you out here.

What your after is small so some of the suppliers may charge a premium for ordering this stuff for you.

But you could try:

Gibbons, Wimbledon
Screen Colour Systems, Wimbledon
Sericol, Chertsey

I don’t think they will expose it for you, i’d be happy to help again.
The screen can be left made up as long as you look after it, over time it will loose its tension, but you can easily keep it for a couple of years. Make sure you clean it well after every use so as to not block the holes, if the holes get blocked thats it new mesh required.

[Dave Standen]

Hi Simon
I’ve just got out of Screen Printing – but I’ve still got some ‘stuff’ – screens etc and maybe even inks. To print on Vinyl – Vinyl inks – What colour do you need? I’ll even expose the screen for you if you send the artwork!
Look after the screen and it will last a while. What’s the job?
Regards … Big D … Print One 😆

[Kevin.Beck]

Martin. (sorry SIMON)
Are you thinking you can just buy a screen and then start to print..

I doubt if you can just lay the screen on the vinyl and then print. You might get a couple of good images but you`ll come unstuck sooner or later.
How are you thinking of holding the subsrate still while printing, usally it`s a vacum bed.

Or have I got the wrong end of the stick and you have a flat bed etc.

Once finished you`ll need to wash the screen using screen cleaner as the ink on the screen will dry hard. Turps doesn`t work.

If left in a damp room the screens will deteriorate in time. And every time you wash the screen clean it could fail/wear/create pin holes in the image.

[Simon Clayton]

Martin…??? Simon 😛

Your not wrong……but I do have so knowledge of screening,

There are ways to get round most things without the use of expensive equipment.
I will be laying screen out on bench spaced off about 3mm/ but will do tests to make sure I get the right lift..(This is a very simple image) cut vinyl on plotter lightly spay-mount bench to hold down vinyl and screen.. Very simple.

Screening is not hard to do, I’ve made screens before using vinyl as a mask, worked a treat for the 10-15 print that were needed.

Its true I don’t know what chemicals do what, as long as I don’t get the (caustic between me fingers) as its been years since I’ve had to use them…but that is why I posted, I need to find out how much it would cost to set up.. The life of the screen and would it be worth it.

Not trying to upset or offend anyone; but I feel the real skill of printing is the cutting of stencils..(In ruby by hand), which I have done for many years, mixing colours to match by eye, and printing translucent colours.

Cheers
Simon.

[Dave Standen]

Hi Simon
Go for it! – Eric from here will be contact with you today to try to organise what you want. (:)
Regards Big D … Print One 😳

[Simon Clayton]

Cheers Dave..

Simon

[Steve Lamb]

Simon.

I agree with becky there is quite alot to consider if your serious about starting screen printing, I mean, if as you mentioned there are only 10- 15 off why bother? All that stinky ink and set up when by the time youv’e UV shot your cappillary film your plotter could of cut the said amount and you could of moved onto the next job.

Unless of course you want to do BIG quantities of stickers then comes possible drying racks and the need for more space. Where does it stop?

I spent the best part of 8 years in screen printing and to be honest it has become a dying trade, Why? Digi print. Im glad to of moved on.

I’m not rally bitter and twisted, Honest
😡

Cheers

[Kevin.Beck]

I can see where Simons coming from, he wants to produce them as cheap as possible.

Screen printing them would achive this. Normally I wouldn`t screen less than a 100 at a time. Due to set up time, and breakdown time.

If you`ve got no equipment. You could easily spend £100 notes on ink, screen + exsposure and squeegee, screen wash. etc.

If your planning on screen printing other jobs then these would come in for them.

It might be a good idea, for Simon to produce a long run, keep whats not required till the next order… Then he`s got them waiting…

[Simon Clayton]

Dave,
Still not heard anything

Cheer
Simon

[Dave Standen]

Hi Simon
Sorry – had to do some work! (out of the office – out of touch)
Screen – I’ve got a screen available – do you want it exposed?
If so – Artwork – do you have?

Regards … Big D … PRINT ONE

[Simon Clayton]

Hi Dave,
Have sent PM

Cheers

Simon

[Dave Standen]

Hi Simon
Thanks for your PM.
I’m not allowed that facility because I’m a supplier.

Regards – Big D – Print One

[Ian Stewart-Koster]

Simon, vinyl inks stink & are carcinogenic so work in a breezy area, and they dry quickly- try & get some specific retarder for the ink- plus thinners specific to vinyl inks, plus screenwash (like a lacquer thinner, but a bit less aggressive), and work fast- around 4 prints per minute or more, or else the ink will dry in the screen . You need to flood coat after each print, before removing the vinyl & replacing it with a new bit. Print off contact say 2mm. Sharp, hard squeegee.
I’m no expert, but have done a little vinyl stuff- quite profitable if things go right. Totally different from T-shirt printing.
Try & wear disposable gloves too while usaing the inks, & cut some extra bits of vinyl- you’ll need them as spares, or screen cleaners.
Good luck!

P.S. If you don’t have a vacuum table, use the spray-glue, but keep it handy. I find that a fair spraying will only last about 15-20 prints then suddenly the vinyl sticks to the screen when you lift it! & you need to spray some more.
For registration, I find yellow sticky tape works on the base board- cut all vinyl exactly to size, and put a yellow tape border down- it’s not easy to use the three-point registering ststem with chunks of card if the vinyl wants to stick before it’s in place. It can be done, of course, but I find a full rectangle of tape marking the whole border is easy to register onto quickly.

[Simon Clayton]

Hi Ian,
Good Advice, i will bear that in mind.

Simon