Free guides & tools

The working reference for screen print shops.

Ten plain-language guides that follow a job from art to cure, split into short topics, with the ranges and the sources behind them.

Start with the process Fix a problem

10 guides19 defects28 FAQsSources on every guide

A halftone screen at 22.5° (our own drawing). AccuRIP’s maker recommends 22.5° for every screen; other references set a separate angle per color. Halftones explained

Start here

Beginner mistakesThe habits that cost new shops the most screens, shirts and time.5 topics Beginner FAQ28 questions new printers actually ask, with short sourced answers.28 questions GlossaryTDS, EOM, LPI, durometer, choke and the other terms, in plain words.41 terms

Free tools

Film PrinterTurn separations into halftone film positives in your browser. Replaces the GSview and Ghostscript routine.Auto TraceTurn a PNG or JPG logo into clean vector art for printing.Shop ManagerFree job board, quotes, customers and invoices for small and new print shops. Works offline and can save to your own Google Drive.Vector EditorDraw shapes and add text, then save your art as SVG, PNG or PDF.Ink Color CounterDrop in your art to see how many screens it needs, the coverage per color, and whether it needs a white underbase.Mesh & LPI ChartMatch mesh count to halftone LPI, with a printable chart.Ink CalculatorEstimate ink by volume and weight for each color.Exposure CalculatorStep-test schedule and exposure time adjustments.Pricing CalculatorPrice a job fairly: cost, price per shirt and quantity breaks.Screen Tension LogLog tension readings and get re-tension reminders.Ink Mixing HelperScale your ink maker's formula to any batch.Press Time EstimatorEstimate setup and run time for a job.Screen printing gameSet off-contact, pull a stroke and cure a shirt in about 60 seconds.

Guides

Print Size GuideRecommended print sizes and placement for tees, hoodies and more, drawn to scale.Cure Temp GuideStarting cure temps for plastisol, water-based and discharge.Squeegee GuidePick the right durometer and edge.Garment Size SpecsBody width and length from maker spec sheets.TroubleshootingFixes for pinholes, ghosting, bleeding and more.Shop ChecklistsPrintable press setup, reclaim and wrap-up lists.

Make the screen

Art & separationsSpot color, simulated process and CMYK, halftones, and the mesh-to-LPI rule.6 topics Mesh & screensMesh counts, thread diameter, tension, and prepping new vs. reclaimed mesh.5 topics Emulsion & exposureCoating for even EOM, exposure tests, drying, washout and reclaiming.7 topics

Print

InksPlastisol, water-based, discharge, silicone and specialty inks compared.8 topics Presses & setupOff-contact, registration, squeegee durometer and the zero-point stroke.6 topics

Cure

CuringTime and temperature through the whole ink film, and how to prove it.8 topics

Fix a problem

Fix a problemNineteen common print problems, the usual causes, and where to start.5 topics

Run a shop

Equipment tiersFirst press and dryer, power and space, and buying used.9 topics What affects a print priceWhat goes into a print price: garments, screens, setup, quantity.6 factors, one page Start a small print shopStarter gear with real prices, free tools, pricing basics and first customers.5 topics, one page