American Apparel 2001 Basic T

The American Apparel 2001 basic cotton unisex T remains a great value for the style conscious. Yes, Am App still uses overly sexy images in it's advertising. But they also pay a (half) decent wage to their workers in L.A., so I weight the good and bad points against each other.

I like the 2001 a lot, it looks good and wears well, and it comes in dozens of great colors.

It takes a print nicely, especially fussy graphics with a lot of color--we did a really great looking process color shirt for Margaret Cho a few years back, featuring a retro style illustration of the star in lingerie (it was Margaret's burlesque phase!). It printed beautifully on a range of American Apparel shirts.

Call me at 503-213-3671 for a quote on printing your custom shirt job on the #2001, or zip me an email.

Cheers,
Steve Lafler

Manx Media

Longlseeve Ts: Gildan vs. Fruit of Loom

Longsleeve cotton T-Shirts continue to be a popular style for decorating with screen printing. My two favorite longsleeves are the Gildan 2400, a heavyweight cotton T, and the Fruit of the Loom 4930, a middle weight cotton T.
Both have their place, with the Gildan the choice on a brisk day. Both come in a wide range of colors. I prefer the Fruit of the Loom, as I am more comfortable in a medium weight T these days, for ease of wear and style.
Drop me an email if you would like to quote your screen printing job on either of these excellent shirts.
Steve Lafler
Manx Media

Hey Portland! Local Custom Screen Printing.

Just a reminder to all the graphic artists, comic shops, bands, entrepreneurs, cartoonists and more of Portland Oregon--Manx Media Custom Screen Printing is printing over in St. John's in North Portland. Our production guy David Perkin has been pulling prints for more than twenty years and he is a real pro!

We can deliver anywhere in Multnomah County for free, always a good price. We can get a proof of your job to you too, or you can arrange to drop by the shop for a press check.

Drop a line or call 503-213-3671 today to get a quote on your custom screen printing job.

thanks!

Steve Lafler
Manx Media

Stupid T-Shirt Tricks by the Expert

I am a screen printer by trade. For 30 years, I've been in the wholesale T-Shirt printing business.
However, I'm a man of many interests. I'm also a writer, and I've been able to pen a short pile of articles on T-Shirt, Screen Printing and related topics for Demand Studios. Demand supplies non-fiction content for a variety of web sites such as EHow. For me, it's relatively easy money, and I enjoy sharing my knowledge about screen printing (such as it is!).
And yes, Demand Studios is what you would call a "content mill". That is not supposed to be a compliment! Yet when I write an article for them on T-Shirts and screen http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifprinting, I make a point of putting my best foot forward and doing a good job.

I thought I'd post links to some of the items I've penned for Demand Studios here:

Cheap Heat Printing Machines

Color Separation Techniques for Screen Printing

How to make an exposure unit for emulsion in screen printing


How to Make Your Own T-Shirt Printer


How to Do Silk-Screened Stencils



So there's five fairly handy articles on printing T-Shirts and related matters. If you would like to see more, you can visit ehow-dot-com and search on T-Shirts and screen printing. While I'm not the only person writing on the subject for them, I've certainly penned my share of stuff there.

As always, any inquiry about custom screen printing can be emailed to me at Manx Media, I'm happy to take a shot at any query. If I don't know the answer, I'll probably be able to recommend someone who can.

And here is a tip: What is the easiest thing to screen print on T-Shirts? Line art, in one color. My Dog Boy art below is a good example of one color line art.



Steve Lafler
Manx Media

Best Women's T-Shirts

The most popular brands of stylish women's T-Shirts I sell are Bella and American Apparel. Both offer a great looking scoop neck cotton T with cap sleeves.



This is the American Apparel version pictured here, style number #4321. The very similar Bella scoop neck T-Shirt is style number #1003, which can be seen on my web catalog by clicking the catalog button and searching for Bella 1003.

The American Apparel shirt is a bit cheaper that the Bella.

With the American Apparel, I can print 100 white shirts with a one color print for 5.25 per shirt. One hundred color shirts with a one color print are 5.95 per shirt with a dark color ink, and 6.25 per shirt with a light color ink. The one time set up fee of $35.00 for film and screen is extra.

The Bella is just a bit more expensive, and they have the advantage of not being owned by Dov Charney, but that is a whole other story!

While these are great prices, I note that I do not compete on price. I'm all about quality and service. I promise great printing and attention to detail. For example, I printed all of Margaret Cho's tour shirts from '99 to 2007. When Margaret was on tour and need another 400 shirt to magically appear at her next date in two days, I made it happen. That's what it's all about!

Steve Lafler
Manx Media

How to Print Photos on T-Shirts

Who is the guy in this photo and what is he doing here??? Why, it's Ben Tanzer, writer of novels and short stories. He is also the publisher of This Blog Will Change Your Life.



I reproduce Ben's photo here as it's a good example of a photo that is good for screen printing. Why? Because it has a strong composition and high contrast. Here is how to screen print a photo or an illustrated continuous tone image as a halftone.

You want to use a high mesh count screen. I'd recommend a 305 mesh, but anything over 240 mesh will work. You will coat and expose your screen as usual. The key is to get your image on a film positive that will successfully reproduce the image.

Open the image in Photoshop and load your laser printer with clear vellum. Do not try to print a halftone film positive from an ink jet printer unless you have the proper rip software that can tell the printer how to make a halftone dot!

In Photoshop, go to color settings. Set the dot gain for 30%. Commercial printers usually set the dot gain at 20%, but T-Shirt printers set it at 30%.

Go to print the clear vellum, and when you get the print dialog box, open the screen dialog box. Set the screen frequency at 55 lines per inch. Set the dot shape to round if you are using a laser printer. Print the image to the clear vellum. This is your film positive and you can use it to burn your screen.

Try your normal exposure time. When developing the screen, use medium water pressure. If you hit the screen with too much pressure, you may blow out your half tone dots.

If the screen clogs, try again with a shorter exposure time. If the image washes ohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifut, increase your exposure time.

While printing, be sure to do some test prints before running shirts. Print on fabric test squares or newsprint to proof. Try one firm stroke -- sometimes two is too much and can blob your ink when printing halftones. It depends on the screen. If you are using a 305 mesh screen, it's more likely you can use two strokes than if you are using a 240.

Good Luck!

Steve Lafler
Manx Media

Ben Tanzer's new book is My Father's House. You can get it here.