any clues on how and where to start silk screening? cheap is the way to go I'm low on cash lots of ideas?

Answer 1

If your ideas only include one color and a very limited production you can pick up a kit from most hobby stores. If you’re talking about full production and multi color items then you’re out of luck. The biggest problem with this is the low cash thing. Printing is a trade not a subject, you can't learn everything from a book you have a trial and error time and when the error comes it costs money to replace materials. No mater what your substrate is there is a cost to buy the material and then the screening supplies cost also.

First go the library and read a few books on the subject.

Second decide what you are going to print on and research the process on the web and in book.

Start small and work your way up. Remember that working out of your house can lead to a big fine if you get caught dumping chemicals and inks down your drain, not to mention the bill for fixing your plumbing as it starts plugging up.

The cheapest way to start is to have someone else print for you until you make enough to start your self.

The best way to start is to find a small shop in your area and work for them so that you are learning on someone else’s dime. Just remember that when you start your own company you need to start from the ground, what I mean is that don't steal any business from the company you worked for. You may have a question or a need that they could help you with in the future and you don't want to burn that bridge.

Like I said before about screen printing being a trade, there are so many things to learn that need to be learned hands on. Product use requires research and testing to make sure that you are using it correctly.

The first thing is to not let all the tech you need to learn defeat you. You need to start learning from books and asking questions. That will start to give you an idea of what you will need to get started and make it.

Good luck

Answer 2

AC Moore now has a silk screening kit that I saw the other day. It wasn't much and if you sign up on their website you can sign up for 40% off coupons

Answer 3

Check out http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?board=142.0 they have a whole section on silk screening at home with several people having posted tutorials on different techniques -- really cool!