Projects Accomplished in Nov 2008

This Morning just visited Shawn's blog, so many nice photos, so decided to start my own blog to record my work life :) In Nov 2008, was my saddest month of yr 2008. So many Negative tots in mind. However, after looking back, I've oso done quite some interesting stuff last month.

Summary of Nov 2008

Preparing Promotional Keychains for HockGiftShop.com (Army Online Store)

Final Product (300 Pieces for 1st 300 Customers)

Stainless Steel Namecard Holder with Logo Engraving (Sungei Gedong eMart Reopening)

Armour Dog Tag Engraving (Sungei Gedong eMart Reopening)

Cigarette Box wif Chinese Dragon Engraving for a Chinese Temple (Yi He Gong)

Chinese Name Embroidery on a Sling Bag

Armour Keychains

Ikea Towel Embroidery For Church Event Gift

Final Product!!

Martial Art Gi Embroidery (Good Luck Sulaiman for your competition :) Muz Win Hor!!)

This is the Hardest & Thickest Clothing that i've embroided

After reading so many articles on Silk Screen Printing, Finally i've came out with my very own Prints on some grey T-shirts. Will Post the full Silk Screen Printing Process in my Next Post. Quite an interesting Process :)

My Front Print

My Back Print

Notes on Silk Screen Printing

Silk Screen Printing is a very old method to transfer images onto Fabrics, Was started during Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE).

Choosing your Screen:

Type 1: Mono Screens (Used for Printing Plagues with very fine details)

• Mesh Count Starting from 12 to 200
• The Higher the Mesh Count, The Finer the Details/Print

Type 2: Multi Screens (Used for Printing T-Shirts)

• Mesh Count Starting from TP800 to TP1800
• The Higher the Mesh Count, The Finer the Details/Print

Coating Your Screen wif Emulsion: (Coating = 5 mins, Drying = 1.5hr with fan)

1. Fill your scoop coater generously wif emulsion. (Excess emulsion can always be kept in a container for future usage)
2. Tilt your scoop coater so that the emulsion slowly meet with your screen surface
3. when a complete line of emulsion meets the screen surface, slightly tilt your scoop coater back & pull your scoop coater up to the top of your screen.

TIPS:

• Always hold your scoop Coater on both ends.
• Apply pressure to the centre area of the scoop coater. if you apply too much pressure to the sides of your scoop coater, there are high chances of tearing your screen.
• Always coat the screen from the Paper Side, then the Squeegee Side. You will be able to achieve a better print.
• By Coating 2 Layers on each side of the screen will allow your emulsions on the screen to within excessive washing
• When Drying the Emulsion, Make sure your screen is placed as horizontally as possible

Transfering Images onto your Screen: (Screen Exposure = Max 3 min)

Using a 1000 Watts Flood Bulb

• Place it Ard 50cm to 70cm away from your screen.
• If your Bulb is Below your Screen, place your image so that the POSITIVE side facing up
• If your Bulb is Above your Screen, Place your image so that the NEGATIVE side facing up
• It will take 2 to 3 mins to burn your image
• Under-Exposed Screen - Emulsion will be easily wash out & you have to start everything all over again
• Over-Exposed Screen - You will have a hard time washing your screen. some of the finer details will not be printed. Usually you will still have to start all over again.
• This is 1 of the most crucial part of the whole Printing process.
  .

Washing Your screen after Light Exposure: (Screen Wash Out: 5 Mins)

• Wet both side of your screen.
• Leave it for 45 sec to 1 min
• Used a Garden Hose to spray only image area (You only wants to remove the emulsion in the image area & the rest of the screen filled & covered)
• Excessive washing may cause pin holes on your screen, so try to clear the emulsion quickly

To save time, Allow screen to dry over night after wash out. Always make sure screen is completely dry before proceeding with any prints.

When Printing:

• Make sure all pin holes are taped up
• Tape the perimeter of the screen tat is not covered by the emulsion after wash out
• Apply generous amount of Ink on your screen, always more than sufficient to cover the whole print.
• 1 Tea Spoon of water to 4 Table Spoon of ink
• Excessive ink can always be kept in an air tight container for future usage.

Notes Written by: Tot Chua from HockGiftShop.com
Disclaimer: All the above information is from my personal experience, Do more practise & you will get used to the whole process. Always search thru forums, you can really learn lotsa tips from these discussions. Thank You for reading :)