If you love art, more so printing T-shirts, you should consider buying a screen printing kit. With this kit, you can have any design on your T-shirt, and you can even start a small scale printing business if you have the time. But with so many kits out there, choosing the right one can be a challenge, especially if you are buying for the first time. The kits are costly, and making the wrong decision can be detrimental to the quality of your printing. So what should the ideal kit contain?
While most of the kit components depend on personal preference, there are some basics that every kit should have. Below are the essential components to check when buying a screen printing kit.
Screen
You need a screen to print your T-shirts. The screen comes in different sizes, so you can choose depending on your print size. The screen also comes with varying mesh counts, meaning you can choose the right one depending on design details and ink thickness. Since choosing the right mesh count can be tricky, consider going for the standard one if you are buying for the first time. You can never go wrong with 110TPI or 43T.
Printing Press
Printing press comes in different types and if you are a first-time buyer, consider using a one-color tabletop. The press comes with a platen, making it effortless to straighten your T-shirt. You can also use clamps instead of a printing press. These are either removable or secured permanently. Whether to buy a printing press or a screen clamp will depend on your space and budget.
Printing Inks
You will find various screen inks for sale, but the best ones are the water-based inks. These inks are effortless to use and to clean.
Squeegees
These are important for spreading ink. You need several squeegees in different sizes depending on your print and screen size.
Emulsion and the Emulsion Scoop Coater
You need these when coating your screen. They make it easy to burn images before printing on the screen.
Screen Tape
You need the tape for masking off any openings on your screen. This will ensure the ink doesn’t flow to restricted areas/parts.
Film or Stencil
This allows you to place your art on the screen in different ways. When using a simple design, make a stencil using a paper and razor blade or scalpel. You can alternatively sketch your design manually on a special film and then burn the film onto the screen using emulsion. You can also use the inkjet for more intricate designs.
Spatulas
You will need a spatula for scooping ink onto your screens. A good screen printing kit should come with spatulas. However, you can easily use old spoons if your kits don’t have spatulas.
With all the above essentials and printing instructions, you will be ready to start printing your first T-shirt.
If you are unsure where to buy your kit, we would recommend that you visit Keygadgets, as we think they have the best screen printing kit for sale. The prices are affordable, and you are sure to get a kit with all the essentials to start printing as soon as delivery is made.