How To Screen Print: Flood & Stroke Methods

[juniotrece1]

si alguien puede traducir a español please

[CatspitProductions]

@juniotrece1 I wish I could translate these into closed captions in Spanish and English. I’m sorry but I will eventually do a process overview in Spanish. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment! ☠

[RonUlip]

Hey man, I don't ever really leave comments on YouTube, but this was extremely informative. Thank you for uploading all of your videos!

[CatspitProductions]

@RonUlip Thank you very much! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment and let me know. And you are welcome; it’s my pleasure to help out in any way. Great comment! Thanks for watching and leaving a comment! ☠

[aznman613]

i love the way this guy talks, hahaha! very helpful video, thanks!

[CatspitProductions]

@aznman613 LOL … I'm glad I could help out. My pleasure. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment! ☠

[aznman613]

@CatspitProductions

np, i just did a few prints today ! :D

[CatspitProductions]

@aznman613 Nice... Thanks for your support! ☠

[teddygirl15100]

you sound like that moose from nick jr,

[CatspitProductions]

@teddygirl15100 LOL, really? I don't think I have heard that character before. But I'll take your word for it :-) Thanks for watching and leaving a comment! ☠

[gmoneyhungry38]

GreAT video.. "pick the ink up and bring it back" lol. teaching myself a lot just from your videos. preciate the free training

[CatspitProductions]

@gmoneyhungry38 LOL... pick it up baby! Thank you! You’re welcome, it’s my pleasure to help out and share information. Check out the Catspit website for a lot more free info on screen printing. Link is on the channel page. Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[s3dnik]

i wanna see the printed shirt

[CatspitProductions]

@s3dnik LOL… this one is very inked up! Not a good print at all. It was flooded and blurry as a result of working it so much. It was just a rag tee for test prints. Just needed something there to absorb the ink for the video. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment! ☠

[erk7xl]

great video as usual. when i heard people mention a push stroke i thought they were pushing with the angle towards the press.

BTW that is gonna be one thick print after 30 strokes :)

[CatspitProductions]

@erk7xl LOL... thank you! Yea, that's some coverage, huh? :) Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[bobbyland59]

Thank you very much, I think I'll be visiting your channel as often as I can.

[CatspitProductions]

@bobbyland59 You’re’ welcome, my pleasure. Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[krisw9456]

Question: What is reason for lifting the screen when you flood it? I've seen this method used many times in videos so obviously it is the correct thing to, but I'm curious as to why. Thanks!

[CatspitProductions]

@krisw9456 To reduce the amount of movement between the shirt and the print; over working a print will reduce resolution. Flooding with the screen in contact with the shirt may cause resolution loss and even registration issues. You should always try to move in one direction when the screen is in contact with the tee while printing. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment! ☠

[maxxtw11]

I was taught to print using the same method you just demonstrated. I've tried the "traditional" method, and it certainly does produce a great deal of strain. Nice to know about sharpening squeegee's too, I've been wondering about why I occasionally get those streaks! Thanks for the great info, I'm a subscriber now! :P

[CatspitProductions]

@maxxtw11 Cool... You’re welcome, it’s my pleasure to help out and share information. Check out the Catspit website for a lot more free info on screen printing. Link is on the channel page. Thanks for the support. and thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[DanTheHungryChef]

id say that t shirt is pretty well inked! ahah

[CatspitProductions]

@DanTheHungryChef That is for sure! LOL...Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[Hezronites]

i really appreciate it its educate me

[CatspitProductions]

@Hezronites You’re’ welcome, my pleasure. Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[ovance35]

This is great! Thanks! Do you ever use water base?

[CatspitProductions]

@ovance35 Thanks, glad yoi like. Once in a while when I do posters or I use a solvent based air dry for plastic corrugated signs. But those thinner inks will work better with higher mesh count like 156 or 195 to 200. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment! ☠

[hiphopninja]

Hi, i was wondering how come the ink doesnt go through the screen on to the other side when you 'air flood'? I have bin practicing but when doing multiple prints, the prints become increasingly messy as to much goes thru :s

[CatspitProductions]

@hiphopninja You have to use just the right amount of pressure and if the ink is too thin you may not want to do it like this. Plastisol inks are pretty thick most of the time. Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[CatspitProductions]

@570cat Alright, cool deal. Make sure not to use too much pressure as this method will easily increase your down force. On a metal substrate which does not take ink like fabric, you could see flooding occur with too much pressure. Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[flegstrogs]

nice! can i do this using 100 mesh?

[CatspitProductions]

@flegstrogs Yes, you can. Just be careful not to use too much pressure. This screen is a 110. Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[iPuzzleUdotcom]

I really appreciate the time you have taken to show us your tips. Especially the part about protecting your hands, wrists, and back. Thanks a bunch!

[CatspitProductions]

@iPuzzleUdotcom You’re welcome, it’s my pleasure to help out and share information. Check out the Catspit website for a lot more free info on screen printing. Link is on the channel page. Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[zerohouraustralia]

great tip. I will be using this method from now on. look forward to all your vids.

[CatspitProductions]

@zerohouraustralia Cool, glad to help out. Thanks for the support. and thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[nickpx]

Awesome video very helpful!!!

[CatspitProductions]

@nickpx Nice, thank you! Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[CatspitProductions]

@nickpx Nice, thank you! Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[CatspitProductions]

@AnybodysDC Only if it is water based or some kind of or dry ink. Plastisol inks will never dry until cured with heat. Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[breakdncr85]

wow, that shirt is never gonna fade, lol, but seriously, i want to get into this business, i really love designing stuff, and i love working hard, and i love money, i just want to start my own business, im tired of working for people

[CatspitProductions]

@breakdncr85 Yea, do you think it got enough ink? LOL… I have to say, I’d rather earn less and work for myself than earn more and work for someone else, if that’s the case but working for your self can be rewarding in many ways. Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[ruxvellprints]

Is there a reason behind why you lift the screen when doing the flood stroke?

[CatspitProductions]

@ruxvellprints Yes, I like to reduce any amount of unnecessary movement of the screen/ink to shirt. I feel it gives me a crisper print and reduces dot gain. Manual printing is such that the less you provide opportunity for problems, the better time printing you will have. It’s just one of those things I was taught to do long ago by a very accomplished printer and I still do it. Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[JamesBStudios]

Cool! Ended up building a vacuum table out of wood. Almost got everything to start putting out some sweet prints. Thanks for all the help. Learned alot from the videos.

[CatspitProductions]

@JamesBStudios Thank you very much! That’s great to hear. I’m glad to be of assistance. Make sure to check out the website for more cool info on screen printing! Thanks for watching and commenting! ☠

[panoramikss]

Welcome to another education video... hehe.

[CatspitProductions]

@panoramikss LOL… I know right? I’m all like Billy Mayes with the hand gestures in my newer videos too. But you know, it comes natural when you make a video like this; makes the video more enthusiastic and passionate. Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[tonyde61]

I see your point, you're right that it will allow more pressure and more ink down.

On a separate issue, if the print is flashed and then re-printed a light stroke with as little pressure as you can get away with will give a really nice print, as it will not be forcing ink right through the shirt it will be just sitting on top.

[CatspitProductions]

@tonyde61 Yea, I did a video about how to print white ink on black shirts which covers the hit/flash/hit method. I like the way the print looks when it’s done like that; really crisp and smooth. Check out my video collection for that one. Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[printedshirts]

Fully agree, push stroke is the way to go!

Less fatigue means more prints per hour.

Also more consistency.

Just one thing though, early in the video I think you may confuse some people.

More angle on the print stroke will put more ink down than a straght angle!

Great video though.

[CatspitProductions]

@printedshirts I disagree. With the pull flood/push stroke the straighter up the squeegee is, the more down pressure the stroke will have because of the trough that is created by the squeegee and screen. That pushes more ink through the screen. With the push flood/pull stroke a more angled squeegee will deposit more ink. Very much the same reason but the trough is on opposite sides. Thanks for watching & commenting! ☠

[JamesBStudios]

Hey man, cool videos!  A quick question please. I just burnt my first screen last night and am priting onto art paper with 225 mesh(finer). Everytime I flood and stroke and lift the screen, the paper is sticking to the screen, thus making it impossible to goto the next color. The paper is too thin to use an adhesive on the plate(it will rip). Also using Speedball acrylic ink.. Thanks man!

[CatspitProductions]

@JamesBStudios Thanks! For something like that a vacuum table is the best option. This is a flat, smooth printing surface with tiny holes drilled into the top through to the bottom. They are most often placed in a grid pattern across the surface of the print area. Then the bottom is attached to a shop vac or air pump. The vacuum should hold the paper to the pallet this way. Thanks for watching and commenting! ☠

[jacbernardino]

hello, may i ask how much pressure do you normally use when using plastisol inks? i'm actually just starting to use excalib inks and one of my concerns is that the ink wont hold to the fabric if my stroke is light and at the same time that i may have a stencil drag if i put too much force to the stroke. I'm coming from using water based ink so unlike WB ink that it sips through the fabric, I really cant tell how to handle plastisol to make sure that the ink grips the fabric enough. thanks.

[CatspitProductions]

@jacbernardino The level of pressure needed will depend on the mesh count, squeegee, ink thickness and ink coverage desired. Don’t worry about going too light. You can use spray tack to hold the shirt down and then lift the screen to see what the print looks like. If it needs more coverage, then hit it again. You should be able to determine the pressure needed for your particular printing situation pretty easily. Thanks for watching and commenting! ☠

[ZachPape]

What type of ink do you normally use? Brand, and such.

[CatspitProductions]

@ZachPape Currently I am using Excalibur ink by Lancer Group but I also like Wilflex. Thanks for watching and commenting! ☠

[johnlouise040]

Could you make a video regarding on how to properly place the images before exposing? What I mean is for simulated process. Tutorial regarding registration will be perfect.

[CatspitProductions]

@johnlouise040 If I have a job that fits the bill and I can use it, I’ll do it. But I don’t really do requests that specific. I try not to spend too much money when I make these videos. But I will expand on art and registration in the future. Thanks for watching and commenting! ☠

[johnlouise040]

Hi Sir, I learned a lot from your Video's more power to you.

I will just ask one question sir. Whenever I flood my problem is there is to much ink going through the other side of the screen, then when i store the print doesn't look good. Any advice sir?

[CatspitProductions]

@johnlouise040 It’s possible that you are using too much pressure. The thinner the ink is and the lower the mesh count, the less pressure you should have to use on your flood and stroke. Or it’s possible the ink is simply too thin for the mesh count you’re using. You may be able to just stroke the print with some ink on the squeegee without flooding. Thanks for watching and commenting! ☠

[johnlouise040]

@CatspitProductions

The mesh I am using for my prints is 100mesh

any suggestions regarding 100 mesh?

should I just stroke and no longer flood on 100mesh?

[CatspitProductions]

@johnlouise040 Only you can say that. If that works, then do it. Or maybe use a lot less pressure. Just feel it out and fine tune your flood and stroke until you get it right. Also make sure not to have the squeegee too vertical. Maybe a 45 degree angle or so. The more upright it is, the more down pressure it has. Thanks for watching and commenting! ☠

[scorpjohn]

ic. thanks for the reply. your such a big help. happy holidays.

[CatspitProductions]

@scorpjohn You’re welcome. It’s my pleasure to help out and share information. Have a great New Yaer! ☠

[scorpjohn]

hi, i just want to ask how much pressure should i use with the squeegee? i recently had a shirt printed and i notice that my screens mesh kinda getting tangle up while i was printing. it give me a hint that i was putting to much down pressure that the mesh was getting caught up by the squeegee. am i thinking correctly. please help. thank a lot and more power.

[CatspitProductions]

@scorpjohn It sounds to me that your problem is not so much the pressure of your stroke but the tightness of your screen. You really shouldn’t be able to cause the screen mesh to move or curl as you flood and stroke. The mesh should be tight enough that any amount of manual pressure will not cause any visible deformations in the screen mesh. Having the mesh move with the squeegee will result in poor print quality. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[goldfinger17]

Please, but please tell me what is the blue substance? What emulsion is that?

[CatspitProductions]

@goldfinger17 That is a light sensitive emulsion used to make the stencil on the screen. You can learn more about it by watching my videos and visiting the Catspit website. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[JayJayZeeZee101]

Great video! Really helpful information and very well expressed. Thanks so much for posting this! I will post a link to this video on my blog. It could help out a lot of DIY silk screeners like us.

[CatspitProductions]

@JayJayZeeZee101 That is awesome to hear! It is my pleasure to help out. Thanks so much for your support. I appreciate the killer comment very much!

[Lahirukevin]

very passionate about your strokes, respect bro....

[CatspitProductions]

@Lahirukevin LOL… I suppose I am. Sometimes I get excited when I explain screen printing things. I’m so easily amused…. Thanks for the support. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[rogerthetaz]

very informative excellent

[CatspitProductions]

@rogerthetaz Thanks much! I appreciate the comment! Thanks for watching!

[TheMURCIELAGA666]

HI I'M JUST WANDER WHAT KIND OF INK DID U USE ???

[CatspitProductions]

@TheMURCIELAGA666 This is Excalibur plastisol ink form Lancer group. Thanks for watching & commenting!

[kryptonite9126]

very helpful video.i'm going to impart the proper stroke to my art class.thanks man!

[CatspitProductions]

@kryptonite9126 Alright! Very cool, please make sure to share Catspit Productions online with your staff and students. I’d appreciate that very much. I’m glad you are finding the videos to be useful. Thanks for watching & commenting!

[1934rod]

Very cool, does a push stroke tend to drive more ink thru the shirt and onto the platten . I seem to get a lot of ink on the platten over time.

Thanks.

[CatspitProductions]

@1934rod Thanks! If your stroke is hard, it may do that especially if the shirt is light weight. The push stroke does transfer more force. But if you are printing a heavy cotton tee or any decent quality shirt of normal weight, it shouldn’t really leave much ink on the pallet if any at all. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[JayJayZeeZee101]

@CatspitProductions That's interesting... we mostly screen on very light weight tees like Bella and Canvas. Should we not try using a push stroke? We print all water based inks.

[CatspitProductions]

@JayJayZeeZee101 Not necessarily. I guess it will depend on how heavy you stroke, the mesh, ink, design and such. You’ll have to try it out to know how it will work for you. Good luck. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[dimensiondali]

You kick ass. Thanks a lot man, you really helped me out. You are a great teacher and explain things very strongly which leaves a more permanent imprint on the mind. =)

[CatspitProductions]

@dimensiondali Thanks a lot! You are welcome. It is my pleasure to help out. Thanks for watching & commenting!

[jerkflip082]

wow....so nice to watch this methods...i learned a lot how to make squeegee printing make easier....i like it.....you re great.....

[CatspitProductions]

@jerkflip082 Thanks so much! It’s great to hear you are finding my videos to be useful. It is my pleasure to help out. Thanks for watching & commenting!

[frankyrocksmyrocks]

Catspit Productions has the best screen printing how-tos on You Tube.

[CatspitProductions]

@frankyrocksmyrocks Thanks so much! Thanks for your support! Feel free to ask questions anytime! And thanks for watching & commenting!

[frankyrocksmyrocks]

@CatspitProductions thanks for the free semester of screen printing school.

[CatspitProductions]

@frankyrocksmyrocks LOL... well, nothing beats hands on training but yea, if you really watch and listen to my videos, there is a lot of great information that can help out. So, in a way you are right. And thanks again for the awesome compliment!

[clovelr]

damn that makes so much, I have been doing it backwards all this time. Im going to try it.

[jobowtackmaster]

how can I prevent the ink from drying? Is there a right temperature to prevent the ink from drying fast? I'm using rubberized ink, not plastisol.

[CatspitProductions]

@jobowtackmaster - Well, I am not familiar with rubberized ink that isnt heat cured. If it is an air dry ink, try back flooding the screen with ink in between prints. You may also be able to get a retarder to add to the ink from the manufacturer which will slow down drying. Thanks for watching & commenting!

[jobowtackmaster]

@CatspitProductions

Thank you, your flood and stroke method really works. Acually, I am using tulco inks because I cannot find plastisol in the market.

[CatspitProductions]

@jobowtackmaster Thanks so much! It’s great to hear you are finding my videos to be useful. It is my pleasure to help out. Thanks for watching & commenting!

[bacaorr]

Thanks so much for this!

[CatspitProductions]

@bacaorr - You are welcome! My pleasure to help out. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[GeorgiaBoi70]

All of your videos are great. An easy five stars.

[CatspitProductions]

@GeorgiaBoi70 - Thank you very much! I appreciate you taking the time to rate and comment!

[meyzenalejandro]

i use to print in both ways ...depending the ink density and the art style,,both ways are good but the way tou are showing is more confortable and easier....

[CatspitProductions]

I agree, and as I said in the video, I do use both methods depending on the job. But I always start with the default of pull flood & push stroke. Thanks for the comment!

[TheMacintoshExpert]

You sound like a rapper "today we are gonna talk a little bou, a little bit about" lol

Great video keep it up!

[CatspitProductions]

LOL, yea sometimes when making a video without a script, things can get a little funny. There are some parts of my videos that when I see them again and watch myself, speak and say certain things, it makes me laugh very hard! Sometimes it is just how I say it that makes me crack up. Watching yourself on video really helps you become comfortable with yourself and have fun with who you are. Thanks for the comment!

[saattchi]

hey good day, i just wanna know why when im printing, theres always ink blocking the screen after just about 5 shirts, , always happening. . please help me.. . thanks. .

by the way, can you be my friend?. . haha

[CatspitProductions]

@saattchi That depends on what type of ink you are using and how you are using it. if it is air dry ink then it may be that you are not back flooding the screen between prints. If it is plastisol then you may be flash curing and heating ink in the mesh. If you message me and explain further, I may be able to help. Thanks for watching!

[PinkFashionDiva9]

You see the rolling action?

Lol, you`re awesome!

I am subscribing!

[CatspitProductions]

Some wicked ink rolling action, yes? LOL. Thanks for subscribing!

[Dexduzdiz]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. EXCELLENT VIDZ

[CatspitProductions]

@Dexduzdiz. - Thank you You are welcome. Thanks for the comment!

[Tolrias]

Something is wrong with my eyes , I kept re-reading several times "Food & Stroke" :))

PS: Great video :)

[CatspitProductions]

Tired or hungry? He he. - Thanks for watching!

[daniellacatton]

Another cracking video.

The best on YouTube.

From Daniella, - The UK Fan Club.

[CatspitProductions]

Ha ha, you are the best! Thanks so much for your support!

[bakaichi]

VERY good

thx john

love all your video 100 star for you

[CatspitProductions]

Thank you! You are welcome, thanks for the comment!