Do you have minimums? Can I print just one shirt? No, there are no minimums, but it is not cheap to print less than a dozen shirts. The set up takes the same amount of time, whether you print one shirt or 100 shirts. You can save on set on fees by hitting certain
How many colors can you print? We can print up to six colors, or five colors and a white flash if we are printing on a dark shirt. However, we a simulated color process which will allow the print to have the appearance of additional colors.
What type of inks do you use? Do you offer vintage style or softhand inks? What other types of special inks do you offer?
We generally use Plastisol Inks, but can work with Water Based inks for small runs only. For a small additional fee, we offer glitters, shimmers, foils, glow in the dark, flashback and suede / puff inks.
Plastisol is the most common ink used in commercial garment decoration. Good colour opacity onto dark garments and clear graphic detail with, as the name suggests, a more plasticized texture. This print can be made softer with special additives or heavier by adding extra layers of ink. Plastisol inks require heat (approx. 150°C (300°F) for many inks) to cure the print.
What are the different types of screen printing processes are there? What is 4 / c process versus four color spot printing? There are four basic types of screen printing : Spot color, four color process printing, simulated or discharge / water based printing. See sidebar for more detailed information. This is the hardest part to understand about printing.
Do you provide the shirts or do we? You can provide your own garments but we have the lowest prices available on American Apparel, Hanes, Fruit of the Loom, Alternative Apparel, Gildan, Next Level and will source out anything the client needs.
How long of a turn-around from when I place my order? Generally, there is a 10 busines day turn-a-round from delivery of merchandise and art approval. If less than 10 days, the rush charges are increased 10% per cent every day until less than 2 days is 100% rush charges.
Can I get a sample before we go into full production? Yes, we can provide samples. They are generally $90 - $300 depending on how many colors in it. We do same day approval, meaning merchandise must in house so once approval is given, the job can be finished.
What are set up charges? or Screen charges? Are they the same thing? Can I have the screens after we are done printing the job? Screen charges, also known as set up charges, are the costs involved with making and then reclaiming the screens, not the actual purchase of the screen itselt. Those costs includes all the material costs of emulsions, chemicals, masking tape and labor.Each color that is printed requires it's own screen so the more colors you print, the higher your set up or screen charges will be.
How can I keep costs down? Print on white or light colored shirts, do minimum amount of colors to save on screen charges, use inks from this chart to save money on mixing fees. www.unioninks.com
How do we get started? Call or e-mail eva@parisimagesscreenprinting.com with art and specifics and we will return e-mail or call promptly. Leave a message if there is a rush. If you do not hear back in 20 minutes, call again.
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
Screen printing first appeared in a recognizable form in China during the Song Dynasty (9601279 AD).
Japan and other Asian countries adopted this method of printing and advanced the craft using it in conjunction with block printing and hand applied paints.
Screen printing was largely introduced to Western Europe from Asia sometime in the late 18th century, but did not gain large acceptance or use in Europe until silk mesh was more available for trade from the east and a profitable outlet for the medium discovered.
Screen printing was eventually adopted by artists as an expressive and conveniently repeatable medium for duplication well before the 20th century.
It is currently popular both in fine arts and in commercial printing, where it is commonly used to print images on : Posters, T-shirts, hats, CDs, DVDs, ceramics, glass, polyethylene, polypropylene, paper, metals, and wood.