Activity Feed Forums Printing Discussions Screen Printing where can i get some screen printing training please?

  • where can i get some screen printing training please?

    Posted by David Shinn on December 1, 2004 at 6:01 pm

    Hi everyone,

    I am basically a commercial vehicle spray painter who also does some sign work and vinyl stickers.

    I am going for a days training at a company that manufactures screen printing machines. I have always been interested in this process, and my aim is to be able to slowly build up trade producing stickers and maybe a few estate agency boards. I did consider buying digital (versacamm) a while ago, but am still cautious about the issues of light fastness and durability to solvents. Laminated prints always look, well, laminated!

    I am cautious about buying any equipment so soon, but I wonder if any of the screen printers on this forum might be able to suggest what I ought to look for when choosing a machine? The company running the training day sell new stuff, but is it worth keeping an eye out for a pre owned hand table rather than splashing out on new? I don’t know whether second hand equipment is usually so worn out as to be useless.

    Many thanks! I will post again after the training day to report how it goes.

    Best wishes to all,

    David
    Leeds, West Yorkshire.

    Steve Underhill replied 18 years, 1 month ago 8 Members · 11 Replies
  • 11 Replies
  • Kevin.Beck

    Member
    December 1, 2004 at 7:33 pm

    are you going to red devils……

    Equipment.

    As always you get what you pay for. I`d wait for the printware & promotion show at the NEC in feb. all the main suppliers go there.

    As with every thing, you`ll get a budget product, an intermediate and top level product. i`d class RD as very budget. it`ll work. but limited.

    all i`ll say is, if it is the above supplier. business must be slow, because he`s using every trip in the book advertising on ebay.

    get yourself a copy of printware and promotion mag, theres suppliers in the back of the mag.

    i`d buy a 2nd hand better machine with a vacumm base.

  • David Shinn

    Member
    December 1, 2004 at 9:52 pm

    Hi Becky,

    Thankyou for your comments and thoughts. Yes, RD it is!

    I know that there is only a limited amount that can be picked up in a day, but I really want to learn, and everyone has to start somewhere.

    Your suggestion to look in “Printware and Promotion” magazine is a good one, and I shall look on the web to see where I can get hold of a copy.

    All good wishes,

    David

  • David Shinn

    Member
    December 6, 2004 at 9:27 pm

    Hello again…….my report on screen print training…….

    Well, I attended the one day screen printing course on Saturday. It was aimed at absolute beginners such as myself, and I had a really enjoyable time.

    The venue was a small industrial unit in Chelmsford. It was nothing fancy, but entirely adequate for the purpose of training a small group of people. There were five of us doing the training; I understand that the course is popular whenever it is held.

    The first thing we covered was positive production, doing the design on the computer and various ways of outputting positives using home inkjet printers and laser printers. Also, when to use repro services, and how much to expect to pay. We then went onto screens and meshes and the basics of stencil making. Everyone crowded into the room where the stencils were made, and we had a go at preparing and coating the screens with emulsion. At this point, various exposure options were outlined, from professional units to simple home made lightsources constructed out of an ordinary halogen light (from B&Q)! Our tutor demonstrated using the simplest option (the B&Q halogen!) and then showed us how to wash out the exposed screen using a plain water jet. Unbelievably fine result! He explained about masking, screen filling and some basic info about the various inks available and the appropriate applications.
    On then to printing! Surprisingly, this was the smallest part of the course. We had a go on textiles and on glass. I think that the emphasis on screen production was due to the fact that our tutor wanted us to go away with a basic knowledge of the pre press process and then experiment ourselves actually print making. I think that this division of time was a good idea, since stencil making requires the uptake of a lot of new knowledge, without which it is impossible to move on to the printing stage. Out tutor said we were welcome to go back and join the course again free of charge if we wanted, and we could ring him whenever we wanted for advice or help with problems.
    The other people on the course (a really nice bunch) were really concerned with textile printing, whereas I was interested more in stickers and the like.

    The company running the course are manufacturers of printing machines, but at no stage were we given the hard sell.

    A thoroughly enjoyable day. Can’t wait to have a go!

    Regards to all,

    David
    Leeds, West Yorkshire

  • Mike Grant

    Member
    December 6, 2004 at 11:13 pm

    If you are looking for a set of cheap drying racks 60″ x 40″ I am your man.

    Make me an offer I can’t refuse! :lol1:

  • Freddy.Tait

    Member
    December 8, 2004 at 12:50 pm

    “how to print t-shirts for fun and profit” book

    isbn number 0-9639474-0-0

    by scott and pat fresner

    previous version isbn 0-9603530-0-3

    try amazon
    all the best from freddy
    in sunny scarborough

  • Freddy.Tait

    Member
    December 8, 2004 at 12:55 pm

    hi happydave

    how much did your days training cost
    if you dont mind me asking
    from freddy at ecp

  • evox

    Member
    December 8, 2004 at 4:53 pm

    if you buy your equipment from red devil you get a days training free of charge, but the course is based down in Essex.

  • David Shinn

    Member
    December 8, 2004 at 7:21 pm

    Hi Freddie,

    The day cost £200, but this cost is deducted from any equipment you buy, so I suppose that is the same as saying that the machines come with free training.

    Regards,

    David

  • Peter Kiddell

    Member
    January 9, 2006 at 12:45 pm

    David,

    As far as equipment is concerned, when you are starting up there is plenty of good second hand kit around, hand beds and semi automatic equipment etc. You don’t have to spend a fortune as much of the equipment is still in pretty good nick after many years use.

    From a training point of view there are several options. There are “training courses” around which explain about building your own equipment. If you are just using it as a hobby that is fine but if you want to make money out of it and don’t want to spend hours trying to get it right you must use the correct equipment. Along with this is the correct training which can be obtained from companies such as Sericol Fuji in Broadstairs who charge hundreds of pounds a day but give you an excellent understanding of the process and of course their products. An alternative is an online training course accessed through http://www.worldofprint.co.uk . This is designed for professional printers, it provides a great deal of information and links as well as testing as you go through it. If you wish there is an exam at the end that will provide a certificate if you pass.

    I see from your other messages that you have had a crack at screen printing. It really is a great process, be wary about making stencils without using the correct equipment, they are the foundation of the process. If you are printing fine lines and halftones you will be struggling with duff kit.

    If you just want to talk through your requirement give me a ring on (mod-edit) please read board rules if I can help I will.

    Peter

  • Maureen Ellis

    Member
    January 9, 2006 at 1:21 pm
  • Steve Underhill

    Member
    February 21, 2006 at 11:48 pm

    Just as a follow up to this.

    We bought a 5 colour carousel from Red devil 3 months ago and so far have had outstanding results, had a few niggles starting off by making silly mistakes but overall no real problems, Steve the guy at Chelmsford was very friendly and helpful and even gave us a wash testing machine so we could wash test the shirts on site rather than take them home to do.

    I thought the build quality was very good seeing as what we paid.
    As mentioned above you get what you pay for but we didnt pay thousands and still got a good bit of kit, were pleased with it.

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