vector files all the way. You need to send the screenprinter your work in .ai or .eps file (if he/she is using Illustrator) so he can separate the colors out. You can also go one step further and convert your colors to spot colors but that doesn't take more than a few seconds.

whatisaprint/flash.html">check this out MOMA had this out a number of years ago - its a nice use of flash too.

screen printing is a manual process. you can create images in lots of different ways. painting directly on the screen, masking tape, handcut film, photo-emulsion (sp?), whatever you can block the screen with. using digital files - set them up so that each color can be pulled out of the image individually.

the link to the animation isn't working for me :(

hmmm.

this is the address:
http://www.moma.org/exhibitions/2001/whatisaprint/flash.html

the link doesnt show or tell what digital files to use, but breaks down the process to its main steps...it talks about woodcuts, etching, lithography, and silkscreening.

thank god for machines

that process sucks

Yeah, even manual print presses suck when you get your hands on an automatic. I stand in front of my press and load and unload shirts as fast as I can. I can print close to 400 shirts an hour by myself. 1 or 6 color, it doesn't make a difference.

awesome, sounds productive. I saw in one of shimala's videos some huge machine with arms that prints like 7 shirts at a time or something. Pretty crazy stuff.

Yeah, I saw that video. That is probably a 12 head machine. Most of the bigger companies have a couple of those in their shops. I'm happy with my little 6 color. Keeps me busy and I've only had to turn down 2 orders due to them needing more colors. Nowadays, less is more.

Hey squigey, could I possibly arrange to get a men's medium of "Day of the Tentacle" after a while for a threadless gift cert?!

hey squigey, how's bout a print? :-P

i worked at a print shop 10+ years ago, they had one printer that could did 10 colors and had about 25 tee trays. it was huge and old, but it did a nice job!

I took a screenprinting class in 8th grade. It was a lot of fun but really hard work. Anyone who says the that pre-digital days of design were better needs to get their mind right.

thanks mediashapes!

I wouldn't even be a designer if it weren't digital. I'd rather follow the horse with shovel and bucket, than do physical mock-ups all day. How expensive and boring.

Hey guys, as far as my prints, create an account on my site and send me an e-mail. I don't want to get in trouble with threadless talking about all of this on their site. I really love this community of people that have the same passion as I do for t-shirts and would hate to lose the priviledge to be on this blog.

>>How expensive and boring.

Not to mention time consuming.

depends on the kind of art it is and style of print you want - spot colors and vector art is the easiest

but if you supply clean hi res rastar art in photoshop files those work just as good, but the art needs to be created at or around the size you would like it printed so who ever seps it out and gets it ready to print doesnt have to clean it up too much

Oh well, I was waiting around to see today's subs but I gotta go print. What a great shirt today: http://www.flickr.com/photos/14508184@N00/212691329/

some people like to do things the old fashion way, i guess im one of em. i only use computers because i have to.
:(