Start Up Kit - Do I need all this stuff?

[alexafree]

In true addictive personality form I will go way overboard in purchasing what I need to start screen printing t-shirts. I saw the Victory Factory kit and it looks complete but I am not sure if I really need everything. I could use some input PUHLEASE! This is what the kit contains and it costs over 300-bones.

4-18x20 classic wood screens/ 110-155
1 – how to print t shirts book
10 – 8.5x11 Inkjet film for positives
1-4oz degreaser
1 quart ulano proclaim emulsion
1-14” Victory Factory Scoop Coaster? What size?
1 Victory Factory Spray Hose
1 Roll Blackout tape
1 Screen Brush
1 Victory Factory Mesh Counter
1 EP33 Screen Reclaimer 100g
5 Quart Plastisol Ink
1 qt. victory factory ink wash
1 ink mix chart
1 ink scoops
1 set of two hinge clamps for screens
1 box of 100 wiping towels
1 pack of 100 white test print squares
1 20oz camie #380 spray adhesive
2-12” squeegees 70 durometer

[entriq]

It looks like a bare bones kit for doing one color t-shirt prints.

There is probably some other things you will need that might be lying around a typical garage or crafts cabinet.

A 14" scoop coater is appropriate for an 18" x 20" screen - that allows 2 inches of clearance on each side. 

12" 70 Durometer squeegees are an appropriate size as well.

I suppose you need the mech counter.  I have always enjoyed having one, and they are cheap enough. 

Hopefully the books will explain how to expose your screens and wash them out... and etc.

[Lizzybethdotnet]

well here's what I think .

4-18x20 classic wood screens/ 110-155
yes
1 – how to print t shirts book
I'm sure this is good have
10 – 8.5x11 Inkjet film for positives
yep
1-4oz degreaser
you can improvise without this but it's nice and not too expensive
1 quart ulano proclaim emulsion
yes
1-14” Victory Factory Scoop Coaster? What size?
yes, ditto on the 14".
1 Victory Factory Spray Hose
attaches to the faucet... I'd rather not wash out my screens in the shower... I'd get a hose attachment instead and washout outside, but whatever suits your need, you just need the water to come out pressurized to wash out your screen
1 Roll Blackout tape
not really neccesary, masking tape and heavy paper works fine
1 Screen Brush
good to have
1 Victory Factory Mesh Counter
I don't see why you would need this if you already know what mesh count your screens are.
1 EP33 Screen Reclaimer 100g
it doesn't look like you'll be restretching your screens, so yes.
5 Quart Plastisol Ink
mmm.... see my thoughts on this at the bottom
1 qt. victory factory ink wash
don't need this unless you stick with plastisol
1 ink mix chart
I wouldn't get it, I like mixing my own colors
1 ink scoops
I use plastic spoons
1 set of two hinge clamps for screens
could do without but good to have.  of course you'll need a table or something to bolt/screw these to.
1 box of 100 wiping towels
uh, paper towels.
1 pack of 100 white test print squares
plain printer paper.
1 20oz camie #380 spray adhesive
?what is this for?
2-12” squeegees 70 durometer
yes

Ok with the bit on plastisols... those need to be heat cured and your kit does not come with a unit to cure it, units which cost a pretty penny in themselves:
http://www.ryanrss.com/Store/subcat2results.tpl?cart=117140678115510978&catsuid=11&subcatsuid=17&subcatname=Flash%20Units&category=Screen%20Printing%20Equipment&display=1&subcatheaderpic=11_17.gif&headdisplay=2&page=1&catlistimgname=&catlistw=&catlisth=&catlistimage=No&rskip=T

I'd go with a different ink like water based

this is from victory factory's faq
"Plastisol is used by 95% of screen printers because of it's higher opacity
and open time on the screens but you need to cure the shirt at 300 degrees
for the ink to dry. That means you need a dryer or flash cure unit.
And solvents to clean up. Plastisol tend to sit "on" the garment and can feel rubbery if heavy

Water based ink will air dry and give great results on light colored garments
but will require flashing or other techniques to look good on darks. also WB
ink requires more attention to prevent drying while in the screen.
WB cleans up with water. W.B. tends to sit "in" the garment and gives a softer hand."

You may want to check out some of these like "Aerotex", look under water-based textile on their products page
http://www.unionink.com/
Aerotex would be a nice option since it air cures in 24 hours.  Of course if you use a waterbased ink you'll need to make sure you are using a water resistant emulsion as well.

[entriq]

I would suspect the spray adhesive has one (or both) of two purposes
1 - To hold the film positive to the screen for exposure.  This is a very handy technique.  I used to use it for large screens (like 4 feet x 8 feet) until I found a nice way to use a vacuum process.
2 - To apply to the pallet to keep the t-shirt in place.  This is a very common use of spray adhesive.


And I do recommend the standard screen printing clamps - they are easy and fast.  Like all of this stuff - you don't need it, but they are cheap and make things much easier.

[alexafree]

What is degreaser for? In several tutes I did not see it mentioned or used.

[entriq]

Degreaser is used to remove "grease" contaminants which repel emulsion, and therefore cause a bad emulsion coating that can cause exposure and other problems.  You use degreaser after washing a screen to remove any grease that can contaminate the screen.  After degreasing, the screen is allowed to dry in a clean place.  Once it is dry it can be coated with emulsion. 

After the screen is cleaned and "de-greased" you must not touch it with your fingers, especially after running them through your greasy hair.  I have seen numerous bad coat jobs where you could actually see the finger "prints" where someone touched the screen after eating a ham sandwich or changing a tire or something.

The commercial degreasers are best, but you can also use Joy hand dishwashing soap.  If you do use Joy, be sure to tell them that I suggested it so they will send me my commission.

[alexafree]

Well after much consideration I only bought what I thought was essential and a couple of "nice-to-have" items:

18x20 classic wood screens
8.5x11 Inkjet film for positives
Not 4oz degreaser; decided i would use dishwashing liqued.
proclaim emulsion
14” Scoop Coaster?
Not the Spray Hose
1 Roll Blackout tape
1 Screen Brush
Not the Victory Factory Mesh Counter
1 EP33 Screen Reclaimer 100g - Only incase I make a mistake.
5 Quart Plastisol Ink
1 qt. ink wash
No on the ink mix chart
No on the ink scoops
No on the hinge clamps for screens
No on the wiping towels
No pack of 100 white test print squares
No on the spray adhesive (Guy at store said this was to adhere the Tshirt)
2-12” squeegees 70 durometer

[latenightartist]

The scoop coaster is to help you put on the emulsion evenly. In the future, you can use copy print outs and vegetable oil to make your images. Trust me, it works fine. I've always used speedball ink that washes out with water. For a degreaser, you could use good old really cheap bleach.