Finish It Right

Oct 1, 2008

Post press entails breaking down a job to ready for the next one, including carding the remaining (useable) ink from the screens into a bucket. Be sure to document which inks your used so it can be properly stored for the next time it is needed.

In the post-press phase of screen printing, as throughout the production cycle, efficiency is your primary goal — and having set procedures in place is the key to achieving it. By laying out the steps that must be taken, you'll speed up the process and help ensure that everything is done properly.

Post press encompasses the actions that take place after you print the garment. Before releasing a job, the press or set-up crew should make sure all the production details are properly documented. How well you document a job has a huge impact on how smoothly a repeat order goes, how long it takes to set up and how consistent it is.

Here's a checklist to ensure you consistently follow the correct procedure each time:

• After the last shirt comes off the dryer, verify that the current order is correct and complete.

• Verify all documentation before pulling screens off the press.

• Verify that the next job(s) is complete and ready to go up on press.

• Pull the screens, remove reuseable ink and begin staging for the next job.

• Change out the squeegees, floodbars and inks.

• Insert new screens, squeegees, floodbars and inks.

• For peak efficiency, batch similar types of screens together for reclaiming.

• Complete all related documentation and file.

— Greg Kitson, Mind's Eye Graphics, Decatur, Ind.

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Growing Green
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