1. Screen Printing
Create a file in Illustrator either 8” x 10” or 11”x17”.
The top layer can be a comprehensive of your final color scheme.
On the second layer all type and shapes must be all black. Flatten the image and save as a PDF to be read from a memory stick on Zalis’ gray USB Hub and printed from HP5525 on special stencil stock.
The images should not be grayscale with tones but rather line art type images (solid shapes).
Stencil stock can be cut up and placed strategically on the screen. Don’t waste resources.

2. Screen Printing 2nd slide
Tape stencil to screen (2 small pieces of scotch tape). It is wrong reading on outside side of screen mesh.
Position screen landscape and expose screen at 220 units.
Black curtains must cover screens on racks.
Wash image out carefully in washout booth in the darkroom and dry screen outside and leave back in rack. Turn off water & pump and release pressure.
Prepare screen by taping inside on non-coated areas: Color tape inside corner and clear shipping on the remaining transparent screen areas.

3. Screen Printing 3rd slide
Position shirt and screen on printing pad with the guidance of a project manager. Separate front and back with pad or cardboard sheet.
Load selected ink and squeegee across 2-3xs’.
Run shirt through dryer for 20 minutes at 350.
Using spatula save unused ink back into jar.
Clean screen, tools, and work area thoroughly leaving no ink on screen. Rinse out sponges and rags completely clean and place on sink ledge and rack to dry.
Present shirt to Zalis for grade. Take a cell phone pic too!

4. License Plate Produce an Illustrator file saved in native format.
Everything in your file is a shape with a path.
Apply “Outline” to all type.
Graphics must be JPEG’s before applying “image trace and expand”.
The color of Images and type doesn’t matter on the file. The vinyl you choose to cut determines the color and style.
Thickness of shapes should be no thinner than 1/6” of an inch. Don’t use fine type. Graphics should be bold line-work.

5. License Plate 2nd part
“Weed” the right reading vinyl. Burnish the sticky paper on the vinyl.
Trim the vinyl to a workable size and float it into position using a little of our “special formula” if necessary.
Burnish the vinyl/sticky paper down on the license plate.
Gently peel away the sticky paper off the license plate.
Repeat this process for more colors.
Dry the finished license plate if necessary.

6. Heat Transfer T-Shirt
Produce an Illustrator file saved in native format.
Everything in your file is a shape with a path.
Apply “Outline” to all type.
Graphics must be JPEG’s before applying “image trace and expand”.
The color of Images and type doesn’t matter on the file. The vinyl you choose to cut determines the color and style.
Thickness of shapes should be no thinner than 1/6” of an inch. Don’t use fine type. Graphics should be bold line-work.

7. Etching
Create file in any program and save as a high quality JPEG. 600 LPI.
Create a file the size of your project using Corel Draw on the PC running the EPILOG LASER.
Import or place your JPEG into your file. Name your file with your name, the project, and the period and save in your periods folder.
You can choose to create everything in Corel Draw on the PC if you want to learn Corel Draw.
Seat and position the product in you wooden holders and position in on the metal bed 0,0, offset. Cover with masking tape and do a test etch with speed 100, intensity 20.
Take the tape off, reposition exactly, and change the speed to 50 and intensity to 100 and etch.