Printing Process- Question

[ph33lth3lov3]

I have a question- I've read all of the explanations and I've been confused.

Let's say you're printing a Tshirt. When printing with the screen, do you lay the screen directly on the shirt?
 or do you put something down so it doesn't touch the shirt.
If so, what do you put down? (what height or whatever)

I've only had one good screenprinting attempt. And i think i did it wrong.... but I'm not sure. please help! 

[barrysfarm]

A bunch of people say to leave about an 1/8th of an inch between the screen and shirt. Whenever I try it though, too much ink comes through the screen, and can sometimes smear. I usually have the screen directly on the shirt.

[ph33lth3lov3]

cool. that helps a lot. Thankees! 

[smarmyclothes]

i put the screen directly on the shirt.  i've actually never heard of leaving any sort of gap.

[ky-barrels]

Although it would seem logical to print with the fabric of the screen resting directly on the shirt, most printing is actually done OFF CONTACT. The screen fabric should sit just slightly above the garment. This distance can be as low as 1/16" or as great as 1/4" depending on how tight the screen is.

The only time the fabric touches the shirt is as the squeegee stroke is made. This makes the prints sharper because you don't have ink smearing on the bottom of the screen. You should do all your printing off contact for better looking prints.