SCREEN PRINTING

In the world of screen printing, a hot debate surrounds technique: Should you push or pull your squeegees on your manual screen printing machine? Some printers will argue that the best technique for manual screen printing is to pull your squeegee down the screen toward you in the traditional screen printing manner, while others will argue that pushing the squeegee away from your body is best.

Despite your best efforts, a little downtime now and then is inevitable at your shop. Here are some ways you can keep it to a minimum! If your presses aren’t running, your screen printing shop isn’t making money. Whether from machine malfunctions or problems with a print job, downtime happens in a print shop. By […]

Whether you’re starting a new screen printing business or looking to expand your existing shop, the importance of conducting careful market research can’t be overstated. Market research gives you a picture of the landscape in which your business will operate, from the economic conditions of the industry to the demographics of your customers and the performance of your competition.

Koozies — those insulating foam can and bottle holders — have become a mainstay at backyard barbecues, summer holiday picnics, tailgates and sporting and musical events. For consumers, koozies help keep drinks colder by insulating them from warm air and warm hands, and by wicking away condensation. They also help set apart cans and bottles from the crowd, so everyone can keep track of their own drinks at social gatherings. 

One of the best ways to keep your screen printing customers happy and returning with additional business is to produce their orders as quickly as you can without sacrificing quality. Reducing your turnaround time is a good way to separate your business from your competition, since many screen printing orders are highly time sensitive.

The travel and hospitality industries are always booming, and where people are vacationing, touring, eating and drinking, they’re buying t-shirts, bags, glasses and more customized with their destination’s logo. Nearly every locale has destination spots, whether you’re in a tourism hot spot or located near a local amusement park, microbrewery or annual music festival site. For screen printers, that means the hospitality and tourism markets provide ample business opportunities. Once you’ve located local tourist hot spots, there are a few strategies you can use to successfully pitch your products to potential clients.

Businesses invest a lot of time in attracting new customers, often to the detriment of their existing customers. One of the best growth strategies for your screen printing business is to focus on building a loyal base of customers. Not only do loyal customers provide you with regular sales, they’ll also sing your praises and recommend your services to their friends and colleagues.

In today’s digital world, email marketing is a must for businesses large and small – and screen printing businesses are no exception. Email marketing is quick, easy, affordable and measurable, making it an invaluable addition to your existing marketing efforts. Sending out regular emails that your target market finds interesting and valuable is a great way to stay at the front of your customers’ minds and give your sales a boost.

Screen printing requires heat. Every screen printer knows that applying the right amount of heat for the right amount of time results in a crisp screen print that’s fully bonded to your substrate. Sometimes, however, heat can prove the enemy. 

For most screen printers, liquid emulsion is the preferred tool for coating screens to make stencils. There is an alternative that’s often overlooked and undervalued: capillary film. Capillary films are sheets of hardened emulsion on a polyester backing. The emulsion side of the film is applied directly to a wetted mesh screen. The emulsion forms a firm bond with the mesh as it dries, and the backing is peeled away. From there, the printer can expose a stencil much as they would a screen coated with liquid emulsion.

Screen printing remains the top method for garment decoration for a variety of reasons. It’s a straightforward, versatile and time-tested process that’s economical for high-volume printing and delivers great results on almost any substrate. However, emerging new technologies have created some doubts about screen printing’s future. So where might the screen printing industry be headed in coming years?

Whether it’s your first screen printing machine or you’re looking to add another press to your setup, it can be tempting to go the used route. Screen printing presses – especially automatic machines – are big investments and every dollar counts for your business. You can save a bundle by opting for a used press over a new model, but there is some risk involved. If you’re set on purchasing pre-owned equipment, you have to do your research to make sure you’re getting a solid machine.