Screen printing isn’t just an art—it’s a craft built on precision, patience, and process. Whether you’re running a full-scale shop in Las Vegas or printing in a garage, mastering the screen printing process requires the right tools, a smart setup, and a deep understanding of materials and techniques.

At Accent T-Shirts, we’ve been in the trenches for over 25 years, printing for everyone from Fortune 500 companies to local nonprofits. And now, we’re sharing everything we’ve learned in this in-depth screen printing resource guide for 2025.

If you’re a fellow screen printer or building out a print shop of your own, this guide is for you.

Table of Contents

1. What Is Screen Printing?
2. Essential Screen Printing Equipment
3. Screen Types & Mesh Counts Explained
4. Ink Types & Their Uses
5. Artwork Prep & Color Separation
6. Exposure & Burning Screens
7. Setting Up a Registration System
8. Printing Process: Flood, Stroke, Flash
9. Drying & Curing
10. Cleaning & Reclaiming Screens
11. Troubleshooting Common Issues
12. Advanced Techniques
13. Pricing Your Jobs
14. Screen Printing for Events & Conventions
15. Las Vegas-Specific Tips for Print Shops
16. Final Thoughts & Resources

1. What Is Screen Printing?

Screen printing, also known as silk screening, is a stencil-based printing technique in which ink is pushed through a mesh screen onto a substrate (typically fabric). It’s known for durability, vibrant colors, and scalability.

Advantages:

• Long-lasting prints
• Cost-effective for bulk orders
• Customizable for textiles, wood, paper, and more

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2. Essential Screen Printing Equipment

To run a successful print shop, you need reliable tools. Here’s what every screen printer should have:

Must-Have Equipment:

• Manual or Automatic Press
• Screens & Frames (aluminum or wood)
• Exposure Unit (LED or UV)
• Flash Dryer & Conveyor Dryer
• Washout Booth
• Power Washer
• Film Output Printer
• Computer with Vector Software (Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, Affinity Designer)

Las Vegas Tip:

If you're in a desert climate, be mindful of heat and ventilation. Your emulsion can dry out too quickly or screens may warp in extreme conditions.

3. Screen Types & Mesh Counts Explained

Choosing the right mesh count affects how much ink gets through the screen and what level of detail you can print.

Tip: Use lower mesh for plastisol and higher mesh for water-based inks.

4. Ink Types & Their Uses

There’s no one-size-fits-all ink. Here’s what you need to know:

🔵 Plastisol Ink

• Thick, durable, easy to use
• Doesn’t dry on screen
• Ideal for cotton and poly-cotton blends

🟢 Water-Based Ink

• Softer hand feel
• Eco-friendlier
• Requires absorption—best on lighter shirts

🔴 Discharge Ink

• Removes shirt dye and replaces with pigment
• Vibrant on dark shirts
• Best on 100% cotton

⚪ Specialty Inks

• Puff, glitter, metallic, glow-in-the-dark, HD
• Use with appropriate mesh and curing temperatures

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5. Artwork Prep & Color Separation

Before you print, you need clean, separated artwork.

Key Steps:

• Create vector-based artwork
• Convert text to outlines
• Use spot colors and separate each ink color onto its own layer
• Add registration marks and center lines

Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Separation Studio, Photoshop (for raster artwork)

Pro Tip:

Keep designs under 12.5" wide to ensure they fit most standard screens.

6. Exposure & Burning Screens

This is where the magic happens—transferring your design onto the screen.

Steps:

1. Coat the screen with emulsion
2. Dry in a light-safe area
3. Place film on screen and expose using your exposure unit
4. Wash out the unexposed emulsion
5. Dry screen and tape off edges

Las Vegas Caution: UV exposure times may vary depending on humidity and bulb age. Always run exposure tests.

7. Setting Up a Registration System

Proper registration = crisp, aligned multi-color prints.

Options:

• Tri-lock systems (for auto presses)
• T-square & ruler for manual alignment
• Test print and adjust using micro-registration knobs

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8. Printing Process: Flood, Stroke, Flash

The Cycle:

1. Flood – Prepares the screen with a layer of ink
2. Stroke – Applies ink through the screen
3. Flash Cure – Partial drying for multi-color prints
4. Repeat – For each color

Tips:

• Maintain consistent squeegee pressure
• Use off-contact printing (1/8"–1/4") for clean prints
• Angle your squeegee ~15–20° for optimal flow

9. Drying & Curing

Drying your print is as critical as printing it.

Options:

• Flash Dryer – For partial curing between layers
• Conveyor Dryer – For full curing (ideal temperature: 320°F for plastisol)

Warning: Under-curing = ink washout; over-curing = cracked prints

Use a laser temp gun or donut probe to check internal ink temp!

10. Cleaning & Reclaiming Screens

Don’t toss screens after each job—reclaim them!

Process:

1. Degrease
2. Emulsion remover
3. Power wash
4. Dehaze (if needed)
5. Dry & coat again

Pro Tip: Use eco-friendly chemicals and wear protective gear in a washout booth.

11. Troubleshooting Common Issues

12. Advanced Techniques

Looking to stand out in a saturated market? Try these:

Simulated Process Printing

• Mimics full color using spot colors
• Great for photorealistic designs

Foil Printing

• Apply adhesive layer, heat press foil
• Great for fashion and streetwear

Glow or UV Reactive Inks

• Engaging, trendy, perfect for events

13. Pricing Your Jobs

Don't just guess your pricing—use a formula:

Formula:

(Cost of materials + labor + overhead + markup) ÷ Quantity = Unit Price

Consider:

• Screen fees
• Rush fees
• Art setup charges
• Volume discounts

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14. Screen Printing for Events & Conventions

In Las Vegas, this is a major market. We’ve printed shirts for:

• CES
• NAB
• SEMA
• Local charity walks
• Hospitality expos

Tips:

• Offer rush turnaround for exhibitors
• Print on-site if you can (live screen printing booth = crowd magnet)
• Build pre-show bundles with t-shirts, hats, and tote bags

15. Las Vegas-Specific Tips for Print Shops

Operating in Vegas? Here are a few extras:

🔥 Dry Heat

• Keep screens stored flat to prevent warping
• Avoid storing inks near heat sources

🏙️ High Demand Events

• Plan around big convention weeks
• Know venue rules for deliveries and deadlines

🚚 Delivery

• Offer hotel/convention center drop-off
• Partner with couriers for rush fulfillment

16. Final Thoughts & Resources

Screen printing takes dedication—but with the right resources, gear, and grit, your shop can thrive. Whether you’re printing 12 shirts for a bachelor party or 5,000 for CES, each print is a chance to build your reputation.

At Accent T-Shirts, we love sharing knowledge with the next generation of printers. If you ever need:

• Contract screen printing in Las Vegas
• Rush fulfillment
• Trade show apparel printing
• High-volume runs
• Reliable DTF or DTG services

We’re here to help.

🎯 Additional Resources

• T-Shirt Forums
• Adobe Illustrator Basics

Need a partner in screen printing?

📍 Based in Las Vegas, Accent T-Shirts has helped thousands of clients create bold, durable prints for every industry. Contact us for:

✅ Contract printing
✅ Apparel sourcing
✅ Convention merchandise
✅ Wholesale embroidery
✅ Local Las Vegas delivery

🖥️ Get a quote now or call us at (702)866-8888