Questions to ask Before Burning Screens

Welcome To Cora’s Corner, where every month I am going to help you with your artwork issues.

This month discussion revolves around issues to be mindful of when creating designs for screen printing. Here are some questions you should ask when designing a piece of artwork.

1)  what color(s) garment(s) are you printing on?  
The color of the garment affects several things involved with printing your design.  Are you going to use the garment color in your design? Do you need to add a backer color so the ink colors show up on the garment? Are you using several garment colors? Do your ink color choices look good on all garments? Or do you need to change ink color(s) with every garment color.

2)  What size is your design?
Size affects how many design elements and what level of detail you can have in your design. The following are general guidelines (There are always exceptions). The left chest area is usually 3-4 inches wide by 3-4 inches tall. Just the main elements should be used at this size. The full front area is usually 10-12.5 inches wide by 8-14 inches tall. The center front area is usually 6-7 inches wide by 6-7 inches tall and usually closer to the collar than a full front design. The back yoke area is usually 3-4 inches wide by 3-4 inches tall and located just under the back collar. This size should just have the main elements like the left chest area. The full back area is usually 10-12 inches wide by 6-14 inches tall.

3)  What typefaces (fonts) are you using in your design?
The style of typeface is an important element to convey your intentions for what the text actually says. It is usually not a good idea to use more than three typefaces in your design. It is distracting if too many typefaces are used. The typeface should convey the same feeling as your other design elements. If you are telling a message, it should be legible. The typeface should have enough weight to the lines to be printable. Never use 8 points or less for screen printing. It will not print properly.

4)  What kind of line elements are in your design?
Never use less than 2 points line size, because it will not print properly. Are you using static lines (same thickness) or dynamic lines (various thicknesses)? Are the lines outlining “objects” or design elements themselves? Are the line edges smooth and clean or rough and distressed?

5)  What kind of ink are you using for the design?
The two main ink systems used are water-based or Plastisol. Water-based inks are usually more transparent and a soft hand feel. Plastisol inks are usually more opaque, flexible, and offer more specialty inks. More screen printers use this system. Specialty inks can jazz up your design. Specialty inks can add visual effects, textures, and unusual features. You can use glitter, gloss, suede, glow-in-the-dark, puff, chalkboard and new ones coming out every year.

6)  What are the ages of the wearer and audience?
These two factors are probably the most forgotten and one of the most important information. Your design elements and message should be age appropriate.

Asking and answering these questions will set you up for your best design for each project. This helps with doing the job right the first time.

I would like to hear from you about your most pressing issues about artwork. Your question may be used in a future issue of this newsletter. If you have questions, please email me at cora@qdigitizing.com. And please reference this newsletter.

Looking forward to sharing an exciting journey of discovery into the world of Art.

Sincerely,

Cora Kromer

11/10/12

Welcome To Cora’s Corner, where every month I am going to help you with your artwork issues.

This month discussion revolves around issues to be mindful of when creating designs for screen printing. Here are some questions you should ask when designing a piece of artwork.

1)  what color(s) garment(s) are you printing on?                                                                          The color of the garment affects several things involved with printing your design.  Are you going to use the garment color in your design? Do you need to add a backer color so the ink colors show up on the garment? Are you using several garment colors? Do your ink color choices look good on all garments? Or do you need to change ink color(s) with every garment color.

2)  What size is your design?                                                                                                         Size affects how many design elements and what level of detail you can have in your design. The following are general guidelines (There are always exceptions). The left chest area is usually 3-4 inches wide by 3-4 inches tall. Just the main elements should be used at this size. The full front area is usually 10-12.5 inches wide by 8-14 inches tall. The center front area is usually 6-7 inches wide by 6-7 inches tall and usually closer to the collar than a full front design. The back yoke area is usually 3-4 inches wide by 3-4 inches tall and located just under the back collar. This size should just have the main elements like the left chest area. The full back area is usually 10-12 inches wide by 6-14 inches tall.

3)  What typefaces (fonts) are you using in your design?                                                          The style of typeface is an important element to convey your intentions for what the text actually says. It is usually not a good idea to use more than three typefaces in your design. It is distracting if too many typefaces are used. The typeface should convey the same feeling as your other design elements. If you are telling a message, it should be legible. The typeface should have enough weight to the lines to be printable. Never use 8 points or less for screen printing. It will not print properly.

4)  What kind of line elements are in your design?                                                                  Never use less than 2 points line size, because it will not print properly. Are you using static lines (same thickness) or dynamic lines (various thicknesses)? Are the lines outlining “objects” or design elements themselves? Are the line edges smooth and clean or rough and distressed?

5)  What kind of ink are you using for the design?                                                                     The two main ink systems used are water-based or Plastisol. Water-based inks are usually more transparent and a soft hand feel. Plastisol inks are usually more opaque, flexible, and offer more specialty inks. More screen printers use this system. Specialty inks can jazz up your design. Specialty inks can add visual effects, textures, and unusual features. You can use glitter, gloss, suede, glow-in-the-dark, puff, chalkboard and new ones coming out every year.

6)  What are the ages of the wearer and audience?                                                                     These two factors are probably the most forgotten and one of the most important information. Your design elements and message should be age appropriate.

Asking and answering these questions will set you up for your best design for each project. This helps with doing the job right the first time.

I would also like to hear from you about your most pressing issues about artwork. Your question may be used in a future issue of this newsletter. If you have questions, please email me at cora@qdigitizing.com. And please reference this newsletter.

Looking forward to sharing an exciting journey of discovery into the world of Art.

Sincerely,

Cora Kromer
Awearness Ink
Step out of the Chaos into the Awearness.
Step out of the Chaos into the Awearness.