There are a few basic principles involved in the process of drying screens after they have been coated. You can make a “drying closet” out of very simple materials. Lack of sophisticated materials is not a problem when drying screens, but violation of certain principles IS a problem. I have been in beginner’s shops and…
We received a panic inquiry from a supplier that we work closely with. They had a customer who claimed that they could not get their prints to cure on a canvas bag. We field many questions for our vendors, since printers love to blame the substrate for printing problems, so our vendors use us to…
In my approach to t-shirt design, the first consideration is the blank or base-product as this informs so many of my decisions (color, techniques, ink selection, print placement, etc.) throughout the design process. I’ve done it this way for so long that I’m virtually incapable of working on a t-shirt design without this critical piece…
Perhaps the most experienced and knowledgeable three minds in DTG formed this all-star panel to discuss the future of garment decoration. It’s Shop Talk with Jacob Edwards (Jakprints), Alex Phelan (OvalJet), and Kevin Tsukahara (DTG Expert)…
Here at Ink Kitchen we love combining design and screen printing with doing good work for good causes, so this project in Tokyo that combines screen printing, social activism and a streetwear vibe naturally caught our eye. Please Don’t Throw Your Love Away is an art project founded by Shunji Hironaka in 2018. After seeing the…
I was exchanging emails with a fellow decorator about the issue of garment twisting/torquing affecting the outcome of the final printed product. This is a challenge many of us face when working with fashion blanks and tri-blends. How do you avoid crooked or off-center prints? How do you manage customer expectations? This conversation reminded me…
Aaron Draplin, Andy Mac, and the Surfrider Foundation Aaron Draplin is a bearded Midwesterner and genius designer with a presence only to be overshadowed by his booming voice and epic wit. Andy MacDougall is a bearded Canadian and legendary flatstock printer with a presence only to be overshadowed by his kindheartedness and willingness to share…
The Show Floor There are so many good reasons to attend a trade-show: Learning, networking, socializing, talking shop, happy-hours, fancy dinners, parties, bars, etc. Ok, ok, let’s not forget why we are there in the first place: the show floor. Companies expend tremendous resources to exhibit at a trade-show. It’s not just the cost of…
Veni, Vidi, Vici… We saw new things and old friends and then made new friends. We drank beers with Andy Mac and then he showed us all how to print posters like the OG poster printing machine that he is (thanks Andy). We raised money for a great cause and had fun in the process…
Our friend, Beppe Quaglia, of Virus, teaches about water-based special effect inks, and the results you can achieve using a little creativity, and the capabilities of special effect inks…
