Screen Printing Newbie!

[spider]

Hi folks,

<background> I have replicated a logo in illustrator and I know the guy is going to use it in a screen printing job (t-shirts).

any advice on how I should be seperating the image and sending the files for screen printing from anyone who has experience in this would be of great help.

many thanks,

Paul

[Logo-Mechanix]

You should be able to send the image as you have it, in color just don't forget to set the traps and make sure if you are using specific Pantone colors you set those as well. I would contact the place doing the screening and get their art requirements before doing anything.

[spider]

thanks for that Logo Mechanics - will check that out. Usually the work I do is all for print or web so this is a new one to me...though found this site while googling so it's not all bad ;)

[PrintDriver]

Definitely get the specs. We don't like designers to set the traps. We do it ourselves.

[Logo-Mechanix]

My screenprinter actually called me and thanked me for setting the traps, and doing it right. But getting the specs is a must.

[PrintDriver]

It's the 'doing it right' part...

[budafist]

How many colours is the job? If it's full colour, you can send it as is, but it is less that 4 colours, then you will need to work out spots etc.

[spider]

the actual design is 3 colour red black and white - although am i right in thinking that i will only need two seperations or possies ('terminology' the printer uses -think it refers to positives) the white and the red as they are to be printed on black shirts. As i have a vector based logo is there a program that will seperate these colours automatically? and provide the required files for this type of printing - i know you can create cymk serparations in illustrator but for this i will need to black versions of the selected colours to uses in the plate creation process.:confused:

thanks again

[Logo-Mechanix]

It's the 'doing it right' part...

Exactly.:D

You don't have to print the black if they are on black shirts, just let the black show through, it will save some dough and look fine in my opinion. I almost always use the shirt color in the design, you kind of get another color without having to pay for it. Maybe I'm just a cheap bastid.

[joe02]

Exactly.:D

You don't have to print the black if they are on black shirts, just let the black show through, it will save some dough and look fine in my opinion. I almost always use the shirt color in the design, you kind of get another color without having to pay for it. Maybe I'm just a cheap bastid.

Having the black show through does not work 100% of the time, but I'm sure the screenprinter will let you know. As long as you communicate with them upfront, it should NOT lead to unwanted frustration on both ends.

[Logo-Mechanix]

I never had a problem with a shirt color not showing through but there is a first time for everything. The one thing I would not do is leave it to the printer to tell you if something is not going to work. Not that there are not printers out there that won't let you know, I just would not leave something to chance.

[spider]

thanks for all the feedback folks! have the artwork completed and sent to the printer so all will be revealed soon!! ;)

[panzer]

yes we got some work from a gaol
thats jail to you colonials :)
and so we touched them up a bit well anyway the point being we sub contracted to another printer
they said they didnt like us to do bleed as they do it themselves
got to admit there repro guy is very good