Five-Color Registration

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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CrownAvenueCLT
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Five-Color Registration

Post by CrownAvenueCLT »

Hey guys,

I am having a few problems. I just recently opened my own print shop after working with another one for a few months.

I am currently working on a 5-color job for a client. I am using a white under base with this print. For some reason I cannot get things to register the correct way every time. I will get all of the colors lined up using the black key screen... However, after printing once or twice everything will shift and mess all up again. It seems to only be my white base shifting down a little bit.

At this point I am lost.. not sure where to even start with this one!!

Please help!!

Austin Williams
Crown Avenue
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Catspit Productions
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Re: Five-Color Registration

Post by Catspit Productions »

It could be that the ink or garment is shrinking during the flashing of the white ink. Or if you are doing a push stroke it can cause a lot of stencil drag and shift the art toward the center of the press. Try reducing the flash time and perhaps reversing your print stroke in relation to the subsequent colors.

Also make sure nothing is moving on the press of course. This video may help out:

Jonathan Monaco
Catspit Productions, LLC
Learn how to screen print tee shirts!

http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/CatspitProductions
CrownAvenueCLT
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Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2015 2:48 pm

Re: Five-Color Registration

Post by CrownAvenueCLT »

Sounds good! I have watched pretty much every video you have posted on YouTube and I always refer back to them when I'm having some trouble.

I raised my flash unit off of the pallet to make sure significant shrinking wasn't occurring between hits. I am using a push stroke for white and a pull stroke for the other four colors. I have lined up the screens in which the white is slightly above the other stencils to give it some room to work with stencil drag.

It's just weird to me. Every print is misaligned by a different increment. I cannot get two prints to look the exact same.

Is this a technique issue with my white stoke? or is it possible that my press is misaligned and causing things to change up a bit?
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Catspit Productions
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Re: Five-Color Registration

Post by Catspit Productions »

If you cannot diagnose the issue as technical then we need to look at mechanical issues the press may have. No matter how misaligned the press is if you get it in registration it should stay there. If not then there could be an issue with the press not holding the registration you need for the design. If there is any play anywhere on the print head, print arm, pallet arm or pallets then there will be alignment issues.

Also make sure your screens are in good condition. The frames should be rigid and square and the mesh should be tight. The screen is an extension of the press so if it fails so does the press.

As long as you flood and stroke the same on each screen each print then that should not be an issue. You don't wan't to randomly chose your flood and stroke each time you make a print. It needs to be the same, always for the entire print run.

I hope that helps out. These things can be difficult to diagnose from afar ;)
Jonathan Monaco
Catspit Productions, LLC
Learn how to screen print tee shirts!

http://catspitscreenprintsupply.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/CatspitProductions
CrownAvenueCLT
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Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Mar 06, 2015 2:48 pm

Re: Five-Color Registration

Post by CrownAvenueCLT »

Every bit of information you throw my way is a huge help.

I understand it's difficult to diagnose everybody's issue through this forum, but you do a fantastic job. I just want to thank you for everything you do for the screen printing community! I guarantee that every screen printer in America has seen your videos at least once.

Your the man Jonathan!
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Catspit Productions
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Re: Five-Color Registration

Post by Catspit Productions »

Well thank you and you're very welcome. I appreciate your support.

I'm happy to help out when I can.
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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