Everything You Need to Start Screen Printing

Everything You Need to Start Screen Printing

AS A PRINT SHOP IN SOUTH FLORIDA (WITH 15+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE)

WE'LL GO OVER 

  1. Exact tools you need to get started 

  2. Where to buy supplies 

  3. Different Screenprinting methods 

  4. Screen types and how to choose the right mesh count

  5. Emulsion basics and how to coat a screen

  6. Drying your screen properly

  7. How to print and burn your design onto a screen 

  8. Techniques for using squeegees effectively 

  9. Different types of screen printing inks (Plastisol, water-based, discharge) 

  10. When to outsource printing

BEGINNER ESSENTIALS: What you need to start screen printing 

I'm going to keep it simple. Here's a basic list of what you'll need to begin:  

Screens (with appropriate mesh count)

    • Squeegee

    • Emulsion

    • Ink (Plastisol or Water-Based)

    • Transparency film (to print your design)

    • Light source (for burning the image)

    • Spray adhesive (to keep garments in place)

    • Drying rack or cabinet (for emulsion drying)


Where To Buy Screenprinting Supplies 

We recommend checking out Kolormatrix.com—a one-stop shop for all your screen printing needs.

You’ll find: Emulsion, Screens, Squeegees, Adhesive sprays, Exposure units, and Pallet tape 

 

Manual vs. Automatic Screen Printing

  • Manual Presses are ideal for learning technique and controlling quality on smaller batches.

  • Automatic Presses boost production and consistency—great for scaling your shop or handling big orders.

Choosing Your Screen & Mesh Count

Screens come with different mesh counts, and choosing the right one affects how your print looks:

  • Lower mesh counts (like 110) = thick ink layers, bold prints

  • Higher mesh counts (like 230+) = fine detail and thin ink laydown

(We’ve got a full blog post that breaks down mesh counts if you want to dig deeper)


Emulsion & Coating

Coating your screen with emulsion is how you prepare it for your design. It’s light-sensitive and hardens when exposed. Want to see how we do it? Head over to @mintprints.eth on Instagram—we have a demo video showing the exact emulsion we use and our process. 

Drying the Screen 

After coating with emulsion, the screen needs to dry completely in a dark, clean space. No dust, no light. A drying cabinet is great, but even a simple rack and fan setup will work in a pinch. 

 

Printing the Design 

You’ll need your design printed onto transparency film. You can:

  • Use a local print shop that offers film output

  • Use an inkjet printer with waterproof film if you want full control

Once printed, align the film on your dried, coated screen. 

Burning the Image 

Expose your screen (with film on top) to a light source, then rinse out the unexposed emulsion with water. This process creates a stencil of your design. 

 

Squeegee Techniques & Inks 

Once your screen is prepped, it’s time to print. The angle and pressure of your squeegee can dramatically change the quality of your print.

Types of ink to consider:

  • Plastisol – Easy to use, vibrant

  • Water-Based – Softer hand feel, more eco-conscious

  • Discharge – Removes shirt dye for vintage looks 


Outsourcing It All 

If you’re not ready to go DIY, that’s okay. There are amazing print shops across the U.S. that can handle the work for you:

Whether you’re building a brand, printing merch, or customizing gear for your team—this blog should give you the complete foundation.

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