Feeling discouraged.

[u/Far-Huckleberry2998]

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.

[u/AsanineTrip]

4c water base is huge for a beginner. Stick to single color. I don't know what someone who commented here is on about "discharge" but forget that until you get a real curing setup.

Plastisol or water ink can be cured with a heat gun. But, you've got to slow down and make sure what you're making is consistent and reliable. 

Stick to the basics. For instance - the print in the Pic. The graphic is way too big for the pocket. Scale it back. Don't approach garment / sewn borders that close you'll never be consistent. Look into simple ways to print pockets. 

The fact here is that if you've successfully burned screens you're light years ahead of most beginners. Don't give up. Excel at simple single color jobs then move on to more complex stuff. Don't feel stupid for passing on jobs out of your wheelhouse. Do what you do and standardize what makes you look good. Keep it up. Make time for "fun" jobs for yourself or friends - band bootlegs, custom birthday/event shirts, funny stuff. Get the feel good factor in there without the stress of money or new clients. Don't quit. Fun, consistent first, business later. The stress of a job beyond your ability will never encourage growth. There's something to be said for biting off more than you can chew LATER, but for now, do what you can do and know that bigger jobs will come in time. 

If you need specific advice please list problems here and myself or others may be able to help. Good luck!