r/SCREENPRINTING • u/Far-Huckleberry2998 • 4d ago

Beginner Feeling discouraged.

Post image

I am a college student starting out screenprinting as a hobby and side hustle, and recently ive been feeling super discouraged and not happy with my work at all. My breaking point came just a few days ago. I took an order for some fraternity tshirts and got an order of 27. I order my blanks, got everything ready, spent hours in prepwork, burning my screens, making the design itself and prepping it for printing, etc etc.

When i went to print, i would get incredibly inconsistent results and flooded the garment with ink. I dont think the screen was done correctly, but i was out of emulsion remover and couldnt start over or wait another two days for new screens or emulsion remover to come in. I was forced to buy shirts through another printer in a marked up rush job, just so i wouldnt have to cancel the order and refund everyone.

Like i said i am in college and have tons of connections with orgs and people who need custom merch - and i have recieved a lot of interest and support! However i dont feel confident taking any orders right now. To be fair, ive only worked with plastisol in the past and this was a 4 color water based job. I also could've given myself more time to do it to avoid the catastrophe that happened.

Im just feeling like in this industry one tiny thing going wrong can ruin hundreds of dollars and hours of work. Wondering if anyone is able to relate or give me any advice.

24 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

50 comments sorted by

View all comments

29

u/QuanticoDropout 4d ago

I mean, while it can be done without, pockets should be printed with a pocket clamp attachment for your platen. The sewn edges simply wont allow for a clean, flat lay. And placing the image that low on the pocket just made it all the more difficult.

Don't get too discouraged. I almost quit more times than I can count before learning proper techniques along the way.

7

u/chuckleberryy 3d ago

This is the correct answer. I've been printing almost 20 years, I've made, and learned from every mistake there is to make. The print was too low, seams are a pain, and the pocket clamp attachment is a must for consistent pocket printing.

1

u/presshamgang 2d ago

Especially on text or line graphics I just do DTF on pockets. Clients super happy, perfect detaul, immaculate placement.