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screen printing => Newbie => Topic started by: Appstro on May 07, 2015, 08:18:42 AM
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44 shirts. 2/2 color, white type under the logo is missing.
I just started using the accurip software and accidentally made the type under the logo a different color somehow than the 2 colors in the logo. So when I printed out the film the city name and phone number under the logo was missing and i didn't catch it.
I am still new to screen printing so it took me literally 5 hours to print both sides of the shirts. Probably an hour of that was press set up and registration.
The customer got home with the shirts and noticed the city name and phone number under the logo was missing. He wants to know if I can screen print them now and I said no, not really. I offered to give him half off the next run and he seems like that will be a while....I then said maybe I could plot some white vinyl and heat press the name under the logo since the original name and phone are in white too. I am concerned that the white vinyl will stand out from the rest of the otherwise good looking red and white screen printed art. Do you think I should redo the entire job to make this customer happy or just do the vinyl and hope for the best?
I am really discouraged that screen printing seems to take me FOREVER...To make a mistake like this is just noob crap but there seems to ALWAYS be something I learn every time I print. Just wish I would start making money instead of wasting time. :(
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I hear ya buddy. Yesterday was a simple one color job for me. 50 shirts. Should have been done in no time. Took me way longer than it should have. It's all a learning process.
Personally I would offer all the current shirts for free and then try the vinyl and heat press or just redo the entire run.
Keep pushing that rock. If you do not learn something every time you print I would be worried! You've got this!
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It is customer dependent but I would be SURE that whatever deal is worked out has the customer happy. This is a good opportunity to turn this person in to a lifetime client by doing the right thing!
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set up a screen with just the city/phone number. make an alignment grid on a platen, bang it out in about an hour, problem solved...We have ALL done it, and guess what, you will do it again...ask me how I know....you could always buy/make some screened transfers and heat press those on too. Don't get down just yet, these are salvageable.
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Make transfers using the exact same white ink and heat press them. That is the easiest way to color match and line it up properly. Like others said, we all have done something similar. I had a client typo recently that I fixed in kind of the same way. I'll try to post it when I get a chance.
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Like Homer said, we've all done it.
Missing is much better than incorrect, and with a little effort, it probably could be fixed.
Could you either post a pic or send a couple of us a pic to assess the situation and better advise.
Working a miracle could really lift you up in this custy's eyes.
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Yep... I was guilty of this the other day. Almost identical situation.
I set up Brian "Binkspot's" lasers and went to town just printing the shirts. Took me maybe an hour to print 50 shirts, but I'm slow anyway.
In the past we have done as Mimosa said with transfers, but that was a more critical location that lasers would have been tougher to use (though possible). This information was from some genius on the forum that saved us from having to own up to that screw up... still owe them pizza for their shop, but they won't take it!
Get the shirts back and fix them... it really is an easy fix, easier than you think, and the customer will be super happy.
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Ask your client what they want....In time you will find most are quite reasonable if they think they are in charge....Learning a "craft" can sometimes cost, so if they want a re-do best to just get on with it.....A "satisfied" client is worth a lot over time.....And just a couple referrals will cover your extra costs....
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I have never screen printed on transfers. Tell me what to buy and I will do it!!! :)
I was just going to plot some vinyl this morning and do it that way, but you guys seem like that's a non option.
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Do you have a picture of the art? Doing it on press is faster than transfers and more 1:1 identical look.
Our transfer that we did was noticeably brighter and better looking, but only if you knew to look for it. We learned PFP was probably too much when printing a transfer to be pressed with regular PFP ink on a shirt.
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Here's the pic.
As I told him, a piece of cake to direct print!
Without the aid of high tech laser alignment, I have always done something like cut a piece of cereal box cardboard or thin neoprene the shape of the logo, mount it on the board, and just place each shirt feeling though to line it up.
This particular design gives you plenty of room to not affect your print at all, and a whisker off (as long as it's still straight) won't be noticeable either.
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Or heat press vinyl in black.......
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that's a no brainer, and a perfect use of lasers...
other thing you could do is burn a screen with the original logo, and use that to line everything up by dropping the screen and lining up the print to it.
I wouldn't even think of charging the customer for something like this, our mistake, we fix it...
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that's a no brainer, and a perfect use of lasers...
other thing you could do is burn a screen with the original logo, and use that to line everything up by dropping the screen and lining up the print to it.
I wouldn't even think of charging the customer for something like this, our mistake, we fix it...
Are you saying I should give him a full refund?
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Or heat press vinyl in black.......
although I do like the idea of "since it's a different material anyway, change the color as well", on this job I'd still be governed by my usual criteria of screen printing 44 pieces is more practical than cutting, weeding, and applying same. That is labor intensive. Even more so than the little bit of extra work positioning each shirt.
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why is the so much back and forth on this. it was an accident, luckily easy to fix. I'd tell Im so sorry bring them back in line up a screen on a manual press and throw down the info. Simple quick fix wish they could all be fixed that easily.
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why is the so much back and forth on this. it was an accident, luckily easy to fix. I'd tell Im so sorry bring them back in line up a screen on a manual press and throw down the info. Simple quick fix wish they could all be fixed that easily.
There's a lot of back and forth on this and similar posts because
1. The OP is a newbie and this is a first for him
2. This industry is known for having a variety of cat-skinning techniques
3. there are many helpful members trying to offer advice.
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Frogs the man!!
To me it seems that it would be next to impossible to line up correctly on press. Probably because I am new to screen printing.
Thanks everyone. :) This is the most helpful forum around. :)
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Frogs the man!!
To me it seems that it would be next to impossible to line up correctly on press. Probably because I am new to screen printing.
Thanks everyone. :) This is the most helpful forum around. :)
What? My method explained just how easy this particular job is to line up on press!
However, I also understand that comfort level comes into play here as well.
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that's a no brainer, and a perfect use of lasers...
other thing you could do is burn a screen with the original logo, and use that to line everything up by dropping the screen and lining up the print to it.
I wouldn't even think of charging the customer for something like this, our mistake, we fix it...
Are you saying I should give him a full refund?
no refund at all, just get the shirts back and fix 'em free of charge.
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Frogs the man!!
To me it seems that it would be next to impossible to line up correctly on press. Probably because I am new to screen printing.
Thanks everyone. :) This is the most helpful forum around. :)
If you are going to replace them anyway, best to get back the other shirts and "learn" from them.....With Frog's method you may end up with a good result and if not you get some "practice" that will serve you well in the future....
Good luck....
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Honestly you should give lining them up on a press a try... nothing to lose, $60 or so in blanks to save... and not having to re-register the 2 screens.
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Don't sweat it... it's really easier than you think. Just do it and you will be happier from the experience in the end.
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After seeing the art do what frog said. Direct print and line up however you feel is easiest. The card he suggested will work well or lasers or honestly by eye for something like this. Do not refund the whole job. Do the fix for free though and offer a discount on a future order for the inconvenience
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another line up idea is to make a screen of the original white, put it on a finer mesh so you can see through it easily. When you pull a shirt on, lower the clean screen and pull the shirt around until it matches up, then print the missing art. It's not too dissimilar from the laser idea, as you still have to move the shirt around, but if you don't have the laser pointers, this will get you there too... and though I don't have to say it, I should just in case; make sure your additional type screen is registered to the line up screen... go for it, you'll be OK, and you'll get faster as you go.
Steve
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other thing you could do is burn a screen with the original logo, and use that to line everything up by dropping the screen and lining up the print to it.
That's an awesome idea. Never even occurred to me. Twin registered screens. One with just enuf for lineup and the other with just the missing to print in times like these.
Easy peasy as CYW would say.
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My problem with the extra screen, is that since my method works for me, I find making another screen way more trouble and expensive than a hunk of cardboard!
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My problem with the extra screen, is that since my method works for me, I find making another screen way more trouble and expensive than a hunk of cardboard!
what we would do is reburn the entire screen, blockout with clear tape the area we don't want to print and then line up from that. That could be what Steve means...
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My problem with the extra screen, is that since my method works for me, I find making another screen way more trouble and expensive than a hunk of cardboard!
what we would do is reburn the entire screen, blockout with clear tape the area we don't want to print and then line up from that. That could be what Steve means...
I thought about that, but thought when you press down any on the taped over text for lineup and get ink on your fingers from previous swipes it could be messy. That's why I was leaning towards the two.
Andy, I thought about your method and if it works for you, bonus. I just didn't think I'd get that to work. Last time I tried cardboard under some nylon bags, it was tragic, lol. I know shirts are not bags, but my vote was on the screens.
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Like Homer said, we've all done it.
Missing is much better than incorrect, and with a little effort, it probably could be fixed.
Could you either post a pic or send a couple of us a pic to assess the situation and better advise.
Working a miracle could really lift you up in this custy's eyes.
Yeah, everyone has done this, and for 36 shirts you can fix it in an hour or so. Get it done. And quit worrying about how long stuff takes. I've been printing for 12 years and not a day goes by that I don't learn a better and faster way to do something.
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My problem with the extra screen, is that since my method works for me, I find making another screen way more trouble and expensive than a hunk of cardboard!
what we would do is reburn the entire screen, blockout with clear tape the area we don't want to print and then line up from that. That could be what Steve means...
I thought about that, but thought when you press down any on the taped over text for lineup and get ink on your fingers from previous swipes it could be messy. That's why I was leaning towards the two.
Andy, I thought about your method and if it works for you, bonus. I just didn't think I'd get that to work. Last time I tried cardboard under some nylon bags, it was tragic, lol. I know shirts are not bags, but my vote was on the screens.
That's also how I print above pockets, and inside tie-dye sunbursts.
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I like to use a piece of the real thin wood, I think it's called masonite for printing pockets.
For fixing prints I have a frame I made a few years ago with no mesh that I tied several parallel strings across. I mount the frame in an open arm of the press. Then I do a test print of the fix, lower the string frame, and tape a piece of cardboard onto the strings so that the top edge is exactly where I want to position the existing print on the shirt. Now when I load each shirt I can lower the string frame and use it as a guide to maneuver the shirt into the exact position.
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Lasers are perfect for this type of fix, just saying.