How to Silk Screen Hoodies

Silk-screening hoodies can be a challenge for new printers. The sewn front pocket seams can prevent the screen from lying flat, positioning the screen's image area too far above the garment for printing. The silk-screen printer's trick is to raise the area underneath the printable portion of the hoodie using a platform, allowing the screen to lie flat and level. The platform also serves as a handy positioning guide, as the edges can be felt though the garment material, and can be reused for future jobs.

Things You'll Need

• Hoodie sweatshirt
• Silk-screen press
• Film positive
• Ruler
• Masking tape
• Prepared silk screen
• Masonite or press-board equivalent, approximately 8" by 12", ¼" thick
• Marker
• Screen printer's web spray adhesive

Instructions

1. Place the hoodie onto the silk-screen press platen in normal printing position.

2. Place the film positive onto the hoodie's print area, and check for even positioning with a ruler. When desired position is achieved, tape into place with several pieces of masking tape.

3. Load the prepared silk screen onto the press, and bring the screen down over the hoodie and film positive. Adjust the screen by matching up the image with the film positive before locking in place.

4. Insert the Masonite underneath the hoodie, forming a platform, and position it directly underneath the print area. Ensure that the bottom edge of the Masonite butts against the top seam of the hoodie pocket. The platform will raise the print area to an even level with the seam.

5. Remove the hoodie while holding the platform underneath the garment with one hand.

6. Trace the sides and bottom edge of the platform with a marker, and remove it from the platen.

7. Spray the platen liberally with screen printer's web adhesive spray, and allow the adhesive to set and dry for about one minute. Web adhesive is superior to standard spray adhesive for printing hoodies and other fleece garments, as it applies a web pattern of thick spray, which holds the garment in place more efficiently than a solid spray coat.

8. Reapply the platform to the platen, using the trace marks as a guide, and press firmly.

9. Spray the top of the platform with web adhesive, and allow to set and dry for about one minute.

10. Load the hoodie onto the platen, using the edge of the platform as a guide to butt the top pocket seam against the bottom edge of the platform.

11. Smooth the hoodie with one hand to ensure contact with the adhesive surfaces before beginning the print job.

Tips & Warnings

• Fleece requires more spray adhesive than T-shirts and other thin garments, and it may be necessary to respray between every piece. Always allow the adhesive to set between applications, as the fleece will easily pick up the spray, causing a sticky residue inside the fleece.

• Adjust screen so that it is slightly off-contact with the print surface. Off contact allows more ink to be deposited, which is necessary for quality printing, especially with fleece.

• Masonite size can be adjusted to suit your particular platen and imprint area size.

• Avoid smoking and open flames when using adhesive spray, as many types are inflammable. Avoid prolonged exposure to spray fumes, and always use in a ventilated area.

• When removing fleece, excess stretching or pulling will cause smeared or distorted prints. Remove fleece by gently peeling from the platen, starting at the bottom seam.

• If using a flash cure dryer, adjust the height to compensate for the additional fabric height to prevent scorching and burning.

References

• Impressions Magazine: Get Perrfect Prints on Fleece
• Printers National Environmental Assistance Center: Adhesive Systems for Textile Screen Printing
• American Apparel: Screen Printing

Resources

• Ruels: Silk Screen Printing Instructions