Printing beveage koozies

This section is for issues relating to setting up print jobs on automatic, manual rotary or fixed station printing presses. Topics like registration, off contact, micro registration and how to use a manual textile press with the flash cure on multiple color print jobs. Automatic press set up, usage and auto features may also be discussed here.

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ApeShirt
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Printing beveage koozies

Post by ApeShirt »

I'm about to do my first koozies. Any advice? How should I set off contact? Is there a difference in what mesh count I should use? Push or pull stroke? What's different, if anything, than printing on a t shirt? My design is a little complicated but worked great with 156 mesh for t shirts. I'm going to start as a single color to see how it goes. Maybe in the future do a 2 color. I'm printing my logo and using for promo purposes.
Greg
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Catspit Productions
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Re: Printing beveage koozies

Post by Catspit Productions »

I think you could try the same screen you have already used. Normally we might use a little higher mesh count with koozies as the print really sits on top of the koozie surface and flooding the design out to a blurry mess is easy. Just make sure to use the appropriate ink for the material on the print surface of the koozie.

I would probably use very low off contact and a little bit harder squeegee like a 70 or 90 durometer to help keep things crisp. The softness and give of the koozie will require a delicate flood and stroke. I might actually pull stroke this type of thing because you probably don’t even need to flood the stencil first. Just drag some ink across the stencil with your print stroke.

The biggest difference between a koozie and a tee shirt will be the knit of the print surface. Koozies should have a nice fine tight knit which the ink will sit on top of more so than a tee shirt. A shirt will be more absorbent and more forgiving with how much pressure you use when you print. Also the koozie has more give than a tee shirt due to the foam insulation so that’s why I say a higher mesh count like the 156 with a harder squeegee, lower off contact and a gentle stroke to print should work out well.

Now doing a 2 color is a whole other beast. This will only be possible if you can get the koozie to stay put between colors or if your artwork has loose registration that is non critical. But in my experience working at many different screen print shops where I have printed many koozies, we never did more than a single color. There may be a reason for that... LOL. The Koozie may want to “roll” some with the print stroke which could make multi colored prints difficult. But I’m sure it has been done and is possible.

Since it’s for your own personal promotional efforts you can do some testing and see what works best with your particular printing set up.

Anyone else have anything to add from your own koozie printing experiences?
Jonathan Monaco
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ApeShirt
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Re: Printing beveage koozies

Post by ApeShirt »

Catspit Productions wrote:I would probably use very low off contact and a little bit harder squeegee like a 70 or 90 durometer to help keep things crisp. The softness and give of the koozie will require a delicate flood and stroke. I might actually pull stroke this type of thing because you probably don’t even need to flood the stencil first. Just drag some ink across the stencil with your print stroke.

The biggest difference between a koozie and a tee shirt will be the knit of the print surface. Koozies should have a nice fine tight knit which the ink will sit on top of more so than a tee shirt. A shirt will be more absorbent and more forgiving with how much pressure you use when you print. Also the koozie has more give than a tee shirt due to the foam insulation so that’s why I say a higher mesh count like the 156 with a harder squeegee, lower off contact and a gentle stroke to print should work out well.

Are you saying to use less downward pressure or lesser angle? But still clear the ink behind the squeegee? And, thank you for the other info.
Greg
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Re: Printing beveage koozies

Post by Catspit Productions »

You’re welcome. I appreciate your participation on the forum!

Less downward pressure and you can use a more angled stroke. The idea is to print just enough ink onto the surface without causing the koozie to move, flex or roll as you stroke. It would clear the ink behind the stroke making it ready to lift the screen.

Does that make more sense? LOL :)
Jonathan Monaco
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http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/
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ApeShirt
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Re: Printing beveage koozies

Post by ApeShirt »

Sure does 8-) I think I'm going to attempt it tomorrow. Wish me luck :D
Greg
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Re: Printing beveage koozies

Post by Catspit Productions »

Good luck my friend :)
Jonathan Monaco
Catspit Productions, LLC
Learn how to screen print tee shirts!

http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/
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ApeShirt
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Re: Printing beveage koozies

Post by ApeShirt »

First attempt wasn't very good. I think there was too much in my image. Printing seemed fine though. I simplified it and am going to attempt again tomorrow. It's football Saturday and ALCS night so my day is spoken for. I'm typing this during a commercial of the Michigan game ;) Go Tigers!!
Greg
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Re: Printing beveage koozies

Post by Catspit Productions »

LOL... alright well if it's printing well then it seems you just need to tweak the artwork to look good on a koozie, yes?

I hope you enjoyed the games. Keep us posted on your progress. Maybe you could upload a picture when you have it the way you like it.
Jonathan Monaco
Catspit Productions, LLC
Learn how to screen print tee shirts!

http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/
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ApeShirt
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Re: Printing beveage koozies

Post by ApeShirt »

This is how they turned out after the artwork tweak:
Image
Greg
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Catspit Productions
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Re: Printing beveage koozies

Post by Catspit Productions »

Looks pretty decent. What type of ink are you using? Are you happy with the results?
Jonathan Monaco
Catspit Productions, LLC
Learn how to screen print tee shirts!

http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/CatspitProductions
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