Off Contact

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

C & R Graphics
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Off Contact

Post by C & R Graphics »

I am so new to this that it hurts. LOL
My question is what distance is your off contact?
I tried to do my first screen yesterday and I made such a mess, I got so frustrated that I just walked out of the shop.
I have watched every utube video you have and still no luck, but do not see anything on off contact. I know how to do it, but don't know how much is right.
Thanks,
Christie
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Shamax
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Location: Charleston, WV
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Re: Off Contact

Post by Shamax »

Myself, I usually use 1/16" as my off contact and it works great for what i've done so far (white or black waterbased inks on shirts or canvas material). Some people use 1/8", but the 1/16" works best for me. I grab a large piece of 1/16" cardboard, lay it on my pallet and lower the screen onto it. I then loosen the off-contact and tilt adjustments on my print head and fidget with it until the screen is laying flat and level on the cardboard, then I re-tighten everything. I then remove the cardboard and try pressing down on the screen in various places to make sure it has the same amount of "give" in all areas, and then I know I'm ready to go. If anything feels uneven, I adjust it more until it's good.

It may feel like a bother that's taking forever to get it set right, but it WILL be worth it. You'll get quicker about it in time, but it's better to spend more time up front making sure everything is adjusted right than to start printing and find out it's all uneven and messing up your materials.
Andy Barker
Owner/Operator of Fragile Branch
Store: http://fragilebranch.storenvy.com
Site/blog: http://www.fragilebranch.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FragileBranch
C & R Graphics
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Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:03 am

Re: Off Contact

Post by C & R Graphics »

I really do appreciate your reply. I need all the help I can get. LOL Wow, where on earth did u find a piece of card board 1/16" thick? I was told that the thickness of a quarter would work, have u tried that?
Thanks,
Christie
ApeShirt
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Location: Lansing, MI
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Re: Off Contact

Post by ApeShirt »

I use pennies. I double them when I print sweatshirts.
Greg
If you're not going to go all the way then why bother going at all.
ApeShirt Apparel Printing, LLC
C & R Graphics
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Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:03 am

Re: Off Contact

Post by C & R Graphics »

Thank you guys for all your help. I will try out your suggestions today.
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Leadfoot
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Re: Off Contact

Post by Leadfoot »

Off contact is probably the one thing I have had the most trouble with. Not having a press with the required pieces to do it makes it a bit harder but not impossible. Sometimes when I think the off contact is not enough it is perfect and vice versa...made quite a mess when I thought I had it but it was just a little too close. Jonathan's video's on the subject have really helped me out. One day I will have a pro press in my future shop but until then like many of you out there we gotta do it the hard and sometimes messy way! :)
C & R Graphics
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Re: Off Contact

Post by C & R Graphics »

Please tell me where to find Jonathan's video.
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Shamax
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Re: Off Contact

Post by Shamax »

[quote="C & R Graphics"Wow, where on earth did u find a piece of card board 1/16" thick? I was told that the thickness of a quarter would work, have u tried that?
Thanks,
Christie[/quote]

You know those Priority Flat-rate boxes at the post office? I usually have a bunch of them on-hand (especially the tall medium ones) for shipping various stuff. Turns out that if you disassemble those along the glued seam, they're exactly 1/16" thick. One of them unfolded completely should be large enough to align a screen even on an extremely large platen ;)

And quarters work great once you've actually got your off-contact set. Once set, I'll usually tape a quarter or a small tab cut from the priority mail box to the underside of the screen long the top (and maybe one along the sides if needed and my screen is larger than my platen).
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: Off Contact

Post by Catspit Productions »

I should probably move this post to the setting up on press section. But here is the video:

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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