Printing again...

Recently feeling the itch to print again so I started printing Gangsta Lean today. Used a new method to keep the ink from drying up so easy. It's a added base to the ink and keeps the ink smooth and silky when applying.

There is more air drying time if I had a dryer it would be easier. Right now I'm using a clothes dryer at home. My method is to pre heat the dryer then let the shirts sit for about 1 - 2 mins then tumble dry at high heat. This helps to cure the ink to the fabric allot better. So far not bad.

Silkscreen Testing...Experiment #2

If you read last weeks entry you know I had allot of problems. With a fix of those problems and a few adjustments I had some success. Here are my results.

Following the instructions given for the emulsion I have, Ulano 925WR, I went ahead and coated the screen inside and outside the well. Let it dry and exposed for 7.5 minutes. Like magic my image appeared in the screen. Success with some notes.

• Exposure time should go a little longer, 10 mins.
• Used both a 300 mesh and 200 mesh screens. 300's are cherry.
• Also, always remember to mix your chemicals. Emulsion tends to seperate when not used. You can see that by how the screen looks streaked in color when dry.

Here is a pic of my first attempt at printing:

I was worried about the durability of the screen for multiple prints and runs. But so far it seems to be holding up. Printing on fabric is a lil different then paper. More ink is needed to seep into the fabric and equal amount of pressure will give you a solid print everytime. So here is my final result.

More to come!

Silkscreen Testing...Experiment #1

My first attempt at exposing my emulsion coated screens with a new design was a failure. The only success that came from it up to this point was the box to hold screens and the tweaks to the garage to completely make it into a dark room. With this first attempt there have come some hiccups.

When in class at LBCC I was using Speedball emulsion. With this emulsion I was able to expose a screen to light for 16 mins then rinse and let dry. When it was successful you could see through the washed away unexposed areas. With this emulsion little bit trickier. Of course I assumed (if you assume your an "ass") that the same light exposure time I used at school was the same for my experiment. WRONG!

The emulsion I am using is Ulano 925WR. I took a look at the tech sheet I noticed that there are 3 different methods of coating a screen, I use the "Method 1." Apply one coat of emulsion on the printing side, then dry the screen thoroughly. I did not apply emulsion on the squeegee side as the tech sheet specified.

My exposure time was way off. I'm am using one 250 watt bulb, but my exposure time was too much. One screen at 24 mins and the second at 20 mins. I was only supposed to expose it for 7.5 mins. My exposure distance was less than 20 inches. Will definitely keep distance in mind for the next test.

This is just the first of many tests that I will be doing and updating my blog about until I create my first print. Lots of different factors come into play but I am almost on my way. STAY DIRTY!

The final product and my 50th post.

This Sunday Robert G. and I finished the box that we set out to build back two weeks ago. Purchased two more stud pillars and three more half stud pillars. Reason for doing so was to really give the box some more support. All in all the box came out great. I am able to hold 10 19x22 inch screens and have some room to hold my paints, emulsion, scooper and many other things. Overall this box has cost me $50+ to build and it was done pretty quickly.

Starting this week I will be testing the box itself for any light leaks. Also I will give the door of the box a rubber sealing so that no light can leak from the front. As of now I have plans to test and make this box cherry. By the end of the month I should be printing shirts, totebags and more.

Lastly this is my 50th blog entry and it's been great. I've only been on since June of 2008 and it feels like yesterday I was talking about how my business and I are just starting out to now being able to print my own stuff and really take charge of what we are producing. I look forward to this next month and showing you what we can accomplish.

Final Crit

Today was the last day for my printmaking class at LBCC. We had an open crit with everyone talking about their prints, difficulties with printing and all of the fixes they went thru to make the prints as successful as possible. I've had a great time in the class and can't wait to take the class again next semester. I have also started to purchase equipment so that I can start printing at home. I have purchased some canvas bags, paper bags and shirts so I will be able to show you my results in the near future.

Came across this display in the quad area of the art department and check out theses shoe mockups made from tape and different pieces of plastic. I had to take a closer look and see all the detail to create theses shoes. Very impressive. STAY DIRTY!

Printmaking Slideshow v.2

A few more pics are showed here but I will update with more this Monday when we do crit. LATE!

Printmaking Slideshow v.1

So here is a slideshow of some of work that me and my fellow classmates have been working on for this past semester at LBCC. Will add another slideshow at the end of the class with all finished work. ENJOY!

Only two more weeks...

of my printmaking class at LBCC. I can not believe it has gone so fast. Here are some pictures of some of the great work going on in my class at the current moment. This is one of Damien's (classate) prints. Helped him with the blend and he's done the rest. I'll post more tomorrow. Thanks.

It's coming together!

Today I was working on the 4th layer of color for this piece. The last layer, the master, will be placed and it will tie the rest of the colors all together. I had a rough go at this print job and really thought out the process and all the mistakes I made will hopefully not be an issue in the coming months.

This print was done by one of my fellow students. i like the blend, came out really clean. Hopefully My piece comes out the same.

Latest Printmaking update.

As the class comes to a close we have a two more projects til the end of the class. I am currently working on a four color print and it's been a real learning curve to what I already know about press separation to silk-screen seperation. I'm starting with a base blend of two colors and then working in some different shapes into the background and well this is what coming from that.

What I should have done was print the yellow first then my other background color then the blend. I believe I would have had a blend problem since I am going it for the first time but it gives me something to work towards. Making mistake after mistake is still giving me the two things: Knowledge and experience. With time this will no longer be an issue.

More from my printmaking class.

This morning while in my Prinmaking class I noticed this young ladies work. Don't know her name but I'll get it so I can give her some credit. Looking at it just made me laugh and well it's great, love the color and it's says that she is a sweet cupcake.

Leaving class I also came across this great painting. It's a picture of a dog but I love the brush strokes on it and how well it's done. I'm finding some very talented artists at LBCC and hope to find more. Enjoy!

Printmaking Class

My latest project from my printmaking class was a self-portrait in one color done with photo emulsion. I had drawn some lines and configured it with some photos Leo Quijano took of me at the HOC from the photobooths. Her is my first attempt in printing with this technique.



To be honest I did not like the way this project turned out. I had a few problems and they can easily be fixed. First problem was the emulsion, I did not let it cure as good as I should have. Second problem was the mesh size should be higher for greater detail. With theses solutions I should be able to move forward in perfecting my technique.

I'm looking forward already to next year with a new campaign for D.V. Clothing. Will get back to you with more details in the coming months. Stay Dirty!