Setting-up: Apartment style

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.

Moderators: Shamax, Leadfoot, ApeShirt, Catspit Productions

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Shamax
Master Screen Printer
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Location: Charleston, WV
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Setting-up: Apartment style

Post by Shamax »

Since it was mentioned in the "What's your setup" thread that I'm doing all I can to work the with space and resources I have, I figured I'd share a couple of quick shots. I just finished getting the tilt and off-contact set for my first job with my 1/1 press. Since my platen is only 16x16 and the screen I used was a 20x24, I had to get creative with some off-contact tabs. So I decided to cut-down some strips of cardboard from a box I got the other day (containing some 16x20 aluminum screens I'm excited to try out), and decided to tape them along the sides. I'm going to wait until sometime this week during the day to do the actual prints, and I'll start with a test shirt I have that's the same color and material, but I'm hopeful all will go well. For now, "enjoy" the pics and have a good chuckle at my ghetto garage-boy setup :mrgreen:
Aligned, set, and ready!
Aligned, set, and ready!
Ghetto-tabs
Ghetto-tabs
Yes, we actually eat dinner here when the press isn't present. ;)
Yes, we actually eat dinner here when the press isn't present. ;)
Andy Barker
Owner/Operator of Fragile Branch
Store: http://fragilebranch.storenvy.com
Site/blog: http://www.fragilebranch.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FragileBranch
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Catspit Productions
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Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Re: Setting-up: Apartment style

Post by Catspit Productions »

Looks great! I love the apples sitting next to the press. That’s food for printing! Thanks so much for sharing your set up here. It’s wonderful to see how many different ways people set up to screen print tee shirts.

Ghetto tabs... LOL, if they work then that's all that counts. Your post goes to prove that you can print almost anywhere. Nice!
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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Leadfoot
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Re: Setting-up: Apartment style

Post by Leadfoot »

Awesome job making due with the space you have as well as resources and smarts to make yourself some off contact tabs! That looks like a pretty intricate design on the screen you got, great job, looks crisp and nice from what I can see! Can't wait to see the test print. You definitely want to look at getting at least a 16x20 platen for the press whenever you can spare the money. I found a guy that does all sorts of custom platens and really cheap. The bracket is where the money will be put the platens will last a long time...mine have been heated and heated and still look new every time I strip the adhesive off for a new run, check them out: http://www.pnwcnc.com/
ApeShirt
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Re: Setting-up: Apartment style

Post by ApeShirt »

You could make your own platen pretty easily if you have a table saw, sander, and router. Then just use your current bracket.
Greg
If you're not going to go all the way then why bother going at all.
ApeShirt Apparel Printing, LLC
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Shamax
Master Screen Printer
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Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2012 7:08 am
Location: Charleston, WV
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Re: Setting-up: Apartment style

Post by Shamax »

I'd found 16x20 aluminum screens, and it looks like I may be trying my initial design over again using one of those, but I'm not sure. You can read more of my woes and feel free to offer what guidance you may over here: http://www.catspitproductionsllc.com/fo ... =10&t=2183
Andy Barker
Owner/Operator of Fragile Branch
Store: http://fragilebranch.storenvy.com
Site/blog: http://www.fragilebranch.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FragileBranch
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