A Guide To Streetwear Design

Designing artwork for a t-shirt or a hat may seem like a simple task, but when it comes to the technical application of the design; things may get complicated. The road to starting your own streetwear brand does not have to be bumpy! we encourage you to inform yourself before investing time and money, and we will help you by taking you through the different steps to consider when creating and designing your own apparel brand.

In this article, we will walk you through efficient and economical ways to begin a streetwear clothing line as well as the technical part of apparel printing to help you avoid having to re-design your logo or any other artwork you would like to print on t-shirts, hats, or pants.

Photo and T-Shirt Design By NEVER MADE

What Is Streetwear?

Streetwear is a casual fashion style that became popular in the 1990s. It includes comfortable yet trendy clothing such as graphic tees, hoodies, sweatpants, and sneakers. Streetwear brands are inspired by both hip-hop culture and skater style. Followers of the latest trends in streetwear are known as hypebeasts, and many go to great lengths to acquire limited-edition designer hats, hoodies, sneakers, and more.

The first streetwear brands emerged in Southern California in the 1980s, when surfers sold screen printed T-shirts to promote their hand-shaped surfboards. Inspired by the street style of LA skateboarders and surfers as well as hip-hop fashion, small skateboarding shops in NYC started creating their own designs in the 1990s.

In the 2000s, sneaker culture influenced streetwear fashion. Hypebeasts paired their graphic tees with athletic sneakers, and collaborations flourished.

In the 2010s, luxury streetwear was born. As young people and social influencers made streetwear an important part of pop culture, and the fashion industry noticed, from mainstream sportswear brands to high fashion brands, got in on the action.

The Basics

Comfort

As mentioned, streetwear takes inspiration from the hip-hop culture as well as the skater style. When figuring out the fit of your apparel, you will first want to think about whether you’re looking to design loose and comfortable pieces or have more of a tapered look.

Streetwear is generally defined by breaking the rules of proportion by using oversize t-shirts with skinny jeans or dropped-crotch sweatpants, but as the style evolves, it is encouraged to just make cool and interesting apparel regardless of fit.

Ripped pants and distressed jeans are also part of the streetwear style, these details are important to the overall look. Considering what type of fit and style gives you brand identity and consolidates your audience to a specific group, which in turn, will help you narrow down your marketing efforts in the future.

Fabrics & Design

Because t-shirts are one in a million, and cool graphics are being designed and printed daily; good high-quality fabrics will set you apart from the competition and give your brand an edge. If this is something you can afford, we highly recommend going with higher quality cotton.

Cotton fabrics are premium options and ideal for long-lasting apparel. Additionally, the thicker the fabric, the better the graphics will be. The thicker fabric allows for a cleaner and nicer print, whether you’re screen printing the design or opting for a DTG print (direct to garment), a nice cotton blend is what you will need.

The design will depend on what your brand is about. Considering the name and the inspiration behind your brand as well as finding a compelling way to translate your passion for the brand into a cool graphic is key, and that same sentiment should show throughout each article of clothing and each collection thereafter.

We recommend that you stick to one logo and that logo be visible enough on all articles of clothing offered by your brand. The graphic design should be easy to read and recognizable. When designing the graphics, seek inspiration from your life, your surroundings, or the culture within your community. Having a design that directly connects to a certain lifestyle is what makes a streetwear brand successful.

Versatility

When creating your own apparel brand, especially in the streetwear category, you want each piece to be versatile. Versatility means that you can wear that article of clothing with many other pieces to allow the buyer to create their own unique look and keep their originality.

You can achieve versatility by including basic colors such as white, black, or grey. Minimal designs such as your logo embroidered small on the chest or your logo screen printed on the back of a t-shirt.

The Details

Accessories are essential to completing a look. There are simple accessories you can offer, such as hats, beanies, and bandanas to complete a unique outfit.

Screen printing a hat or a bandana is fairly easy and affordable, and are a good way to add accessories to your clothing line. Additionally, embroidering a logo on a hat or a cross-body bag is a good alternative that provides an added touch of customization and quality.

Focusing on the smaller details can make all of the difference in setting your brand apart from others, such as printing on unconventional spots like the sleeves or adding an embroidered element to the design.

Screen Print or Direct To Garment?

There are many differences and similarities between these two methods of printing, and there are a number of criteria to be taken into consideration when making your decision. The following points will help you decide on which print method is better for your brand and more specifically what type of print method is best for your designs such as logo and other artwork you wish to display on the apparel.

1. Quantity: Digital printing allows for a smaller quantity to be printed while screen printing will usually require a minimum.

2. Apparel: Screen printing has more versatility when choosing your fabric. For digital printing, it is advised to print on 100% cotton or other select cotton blends and only certain colors.

3. Design: Photographs or hyper-detailed images with a lot of colors are usually better printed digitally. However, if you have a large number of shirts you would like to print, screen printing may still be an option but it may cost you a little bit more or may require some adapting to make the design work best.

If cost is your main concern, the following criteria will dictate the best print method:

1. Apparel: The type of apparel can range from value to premium options and depends on the style and brand.

2. Print Locations: There is the option for 1 or 2 locations, which would be the front and/or the back (for a t-shirt or sweatshirt).

3. Fabric Color: For screen printing on darker color fabrics, a white layer before your print is necessary and may cost a little bit more.

4. Number of Colors: The more colors your print requires the higher the cost is for screen printing, however, if you have a large quantity, this cost may be a lot lower as you can have access to deeper discounts.

5. Quantity: With screen printing, the number of pieces will dictate the majority of your cost. This is the most important factor that will most likely dictate the right method for you.

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Streetwear Brand Spotlight:

Never Made is a Los Angeles based streetwear / lifestyle brand created by artist Francisco Reyes, Jr.

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Remember!

When people look at you as a “high-quality” streetwear brand, you’ll not only be able to charge more money, but you’ll be much more reputable in the process. Reputation can take you a long way in the fashion industry, especially when it comes to something as urban as streetwear.

Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator

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For any inquiries, send us a message!

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Our showroom at 2755 Fruitdale Street, Los Angeles, CA 90039 is open by appointment only from 10 am - 4 pm Monday through Friday.

The Process of Printmaking

When looking at the history of printmaking, we see evidence of this artform going back thousands of years and in many different cultures. The art of printmaking has evolved in the types of techniques used to achieve prints, and not only on paper but on other surfaces such as wood, metal, and glass. In this article, we will take you through the different techniques and applications as well as a little bit of the history behind this art form.

What is Printmaking?

Printmaking is an art form consisting of the production of images, usually on paper but occasionally on fabric, parchment, plastic, or other support, by various techniques of multiplication, under the direct supervision of or by the hand of the artist.

5 Types Of Printmaking

Woodcut

Woodcut Print by WoodcutEmporium

Woodcut printmaking was first used as a means to print books and create repeating patterns for textiles, and it eventually turned into an art form. The process of creating a woodcut print is by carving out negative space from a surface, leaving only the lines and shapes that you want to appear in the print, and then coat the remaining surface with ink. The next step is to place the inked surface on a piece of paper, and finally, create a print by placing pressure on the back of the block - with a roller, printing press, or other tools – to transfer the ink onto the page.

Engraving

St. Jerome in His Study (1514), an engraving by Northern Renaissance master Albrecht Dürer

Engraving is the oldest and most difficult form of printmaking. Unlike relief printmaking (where ink is placed onto a surface) engraving involves making incisions or grooves in a plate, covering the plate with ink, and wiping the surface, so that the ink remains in the grooves. Then, the plate is placed in a printing press, which forces the paper into the plate’s grooves to pick up the ink. When the paper and plate are peeled apart, you’ll see that the ink has adhered to the paper.
The incisions in an engraving are entirely produced by carving into the plate by hand, which is why it’s one of the most challenging printmaking methods to master. The technique typically calls for the use of a burin - a steel rod with a sharp, oblique tip attached to a rounded top for the hand to firmly grasp onto – to draw into a metal plate.

Etching

Graphic Etching “Surfeit” by DariaSobieskaGrafika

Etching is an intaglio printmaking process in which lines or areas are incised using acid into a metal plate in order to hold the ink. In etching, the plate can be made of iron, copper, or zinc.

The etching process involves incising marks into a plate through a process called biting. First, you cover a metal plate with a wax-like layer called the “ground.” Then, you draw your design onto the plate with a needle; no pressure is needed as you only need to scratch through the surface of the ground. When the drawing is finished, you coat the back of the plate with a varnish, then immerse the plate into acid. As the plate lays in the acid bath, the acid will eat away at the marks you made, creating fine incisions.

Lithography

Lithography Print “Tea stall” by Chetanartindia

Lithographs, which were created in 1798 in Munich, are made with a large slab of limestone or metal plate and require an intensive process of developing an image on the stone or plate.

To begin making a lithograph first you need to prep the surface of the stone with grit, a sand-like dust, and a levigator, which is a heavy circle of steel that is attached to a handle. With some force, you start spinning the steel across the surface to grind it down a millimeter at a time. This is a crucial step for leveling the stone, which will provide an even print.

Next, the stone needs to be sensitized by dampening it and applying an acidic liquid across the entire surface. Then, the solution is rinsed off, and when dry, you apply a substance called “gum arabic” around the edges to create a border for the print area. Now you draw your image onto the stone with greasy tools such as a lithographic crayon or ink.

Once complete, you begin the transfer of the image onto the stone by an intensive process that involves layering talcum powder, resin, liquid-etch solution, gum arabic, and mineral spirits. Finally, you will ink the stone and print the image with help of a press.

All of these steps play a role in transforming the surface of the stone so that whenever a mark with a greasy material was made, the ink would stick to the surface of the stone.

Screen Print

Screen Print - “Her” Illustration by Raphael Kelly Printed by Family Industries

Screen printmaking originated in China as a way of transferring designs onto fabrics, following this, the Japanese began using simple stenciling techniques as a way to create imagery. They would cut stencils out of paper and mesh was woven from human hair. They used stiff brushes to force ink through the mesh onto the fabric.

In the 1930s in New York, a group of artists began experimenting with screenprinting as an artistic medium by applying it onto paper. They coined the term ‘serigraphy’. Later in the 1960s Pop artists such as Peter Blake and Andy Warhol used screen printing as an essential element to creating their artwork. These artists established screen printmaking as a medium for creating contemporary art by popularising the method.

What is the process of Printmaking?

Screen Printing, also known as silkscreen printing is unique in the sense that the print isn’t made directly from the surface of the block or plate; instead, the image is printed through a screen mesh using stencils, and within this medium, there are a few techniques used to achieve specific prints. People new to screen printing often first learn how to create hand-cut stencils. In this method, you use an X-acto blade to cut out a design from a sheet of self-adhesive plastic film. Then, the shapes are positioned on the film to the bottom of a mesh screen and place on top of the paper.

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At Family Industries we practice the art of screen printmaking, using stencils and exclusively on French Paper, the gold standard for screen printed posters. Screen printmaking is ideal for high-quality posters, art prints, and other types of flatstock. Screen printed posters are always a hit and are a great way to make small or large runs of your custom artwork. Whether you’re a band who needs tour posters or an artist looking for a premium-quality replication, the team at Family Industries takes great pride in our poster printing department.

Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator

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For questions, send us an e-mail at quotes@familyindustriesla.com, or give us a call at 323.227.1547 and we'd be happy to help.

Our showroom at 2755 Fruitdale Street, Los Angeles, CA 90039 is open by appointment only from 10 am - 4 pm Monday through Friday.

Best Eco-Friendly Branded Merch

Modern society has become accustomed to consuming without awareness, however, in the recent decade, environmental causes have come front and center of the global conversation. More and more brands are moving towards a more sustainable way of conducting business, that be with their product packaging or their product sourcing. In this article, we’ll suggest some of the most popular eco-friendly products you can offer promotional merch for events or special giveaways.

What Makes a Product Sustainable?

The sustainability of a product is not only defined by the capability for repeated use or recyclability, it’s also defined by the materials used to make the item and the source from which those materials were procured.

For a product to be sustainable, it must be possible to produce and/or consume it in a way that doesn’t result in harm or destruction. If the production of a product requires nonrenewable resources, damages the environment, or results in harm to individuals or society, it is unlikely to be considered sustainable.

Sustainable Processes vs. Actions

Through process and resource optimization, some companies choose vendors, materials, production methods, hiring options, and make other business decisions specifically because they lend themselves to sustainability. This often requires extensive due diligence and may result in higher initial production costs.

Companies may also strive to improve their sustainability through actions that are separate from the manufacture of their product or the delivery of their service.

Why choose an eco-friendly product?

• Price - In many cases, eco-friendly items are no more expensive than their non-eco-friendly counterparts, so why not?

• Branding - If you're trying to send a message to your customers that your company cares about the environment, this is a great way to reinforce that message.

• Doing Good - When you give away items that can be reused (like the water bottles and totes below), you're helping to make a difference.

Swag Made From Renewable Materials

Natural materials that can replenish themselves after use are called renewable resources. To avoid company swag that is not eco-friendly, you should avoid buying merchandise made from plastic. Plastic is made of oil, coal, and gas, which are all non-renewable sources. It means that many types of very popular branded merch is not eco-friendly — plastic pens, water bottles, PopSockets, etc.

Read 5 Ways Plastic Harms The Environment

Cork - Is harvested from the bark of cork oak trees and can be re-harvested over and over again.

Bamboo - is a great alternative to plastic and is considered a highly sustainable material. Bamboo is grass and not a tree; it’s fast-growing and self-regenerates from its own roots. It doesn’t require large amounts of water, pesticides, or labor.

Felt - This is a biodegradable by-product of the textile industry. Its raw material is wool and it is renewable.

Upcycled Materials - This is the use of existing materials that would otherwise be discarded or used inefficiently. Such products use less energy and have a smaller environmental impact than products made from raw materials.

Read A Guide To The Most Eco-Friendly Materials

Packaging

In order to offer a fully eco-friendly product, ensuring that the packaging is recyclable materials. it’s a good idea to make sure the product you buy isn’t using an excessive amount of packaging, and the packaging it uses favors paper and cardboard over plastic or foam plastic.

Check Out Guide To Product Packaging and Labeling

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Top Eco-Friendly Merch

As a brand, you may be looking into offering branded merch or promotional items with your logo for events or as gifts for clients. We’ll list the top best-selling eco-friendly merch for any occasion or brand.

Canvas Tote Bag

Tote bags are reusable and purposeful, a canvas material can be recycled but there are also other options such as hemp, which can also be printed on using the screen printing technique.

Reusable Metal Straw Kit

This is a popular product because metal straws take the place of plastic straws, which are made with the worst form of plastic: single-use plastic. Single-use plastics have a short lifespan and are usually used once before being disposed of.

Sustainable Fabric T-Shirts

Ethically made fabrics are becoming more widely available with brands such as The Classic T-Shirt Company which manufactures soft simple tees ethically manufactured in California that guarantee fair wages, reasonable hours, and excellent working conditions. The Good Tee is another brand whose B-Corp certification and fairtrade certification elevates the brand to the top popular eco-friendly apparel companies.

Aluminum Reusable Water Bottle

Reusable water bottles are perhaps the most common eco-friendly promotional product. The popularity of aluminum bottles has increased in recent years as more and more of us move towards more sustainable ways to consume water. Reusable bottles appeal to all audiences and it makes for a great canvas for a company logo.

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Increase the chances for the swag to be used

Ending up in the trash too quickly is probably the biggest problem with branded merch today. To maximize the chances for your product to be used, gift something everybody needs regardless of their design preferences, gender, age, etc.

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Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator

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Follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

For FAQ, check out our site!

For any inquiries, send us a message!

OR

send us an e-mail at quotes@familyindustriesla.com

How To Tie Dye: A Guide in Techniques

Summer is almost here and with 90’s fashion becoming more popular among TikTok’s Gen Zs’ creators, tie-dye is all the rage. If you’re like us and love to scroll on TikTok for hours, you’ve probably come across a couple of tutorials on how to get the perfect tie-dye t-shirt or even sneakers! In this post we’ll take you through the different techniques to get the right result for what you’re trying to achieve.

How To Tie-Dye

We’ll show you different tie-dye techniques on this article that show you how to tie dye like a pro, but here are some tie-dye basics to help set you up for success! Whether you are wondering how to tie dye a T-shirt, how to dye socks or pretty much anything else, here are the basics to get you started.

Supply List:

• Plastic Gloves

• Rubber Bands

• Easy-squeeze bottles with dye powder

• Sealable plastic bad or wrap (for storing your t-shirt while the dye sets)

• Disposable surface cover (like a large trash bag)

• Wire Rack (to avoid your creating from sitting in a pool of dye)

Step 1: Pick your Item

There’s a long list of items you can tie dye, from t-shirts, socks, and sweats to bed sheets, or even shoes! We advise your select an item that is made from 100% natural fibers such as cotton, rayon, or silk. Synthetic fibers like polyester have different fibers that are not as absorbent and this can prevent the dye from dying your items completely.

It is recommended that you wash the item before starting the tie-dying process, especially if the item is new. Some dyes will require you to presoak the fabric in soda ash but with products such as Tulip’s One-Step Dyes, which already has the soda ash mixed into it.

Pro Tip: Do not use fabric softener when pre-washing your fabric. The chemicals in fabric softeners can block dye absorption.

Step 2: Prep the Dye

Some products such as Tulip’s One-Step Dye bottles already have the powder inside, but if you’re using another type of dye, now is the time to set up. Put the powder inside of your easy-squeeze bottles, then add tap water, ensure your nozzle is tightly screwed in and that the cap is on. Shape each bottle thoroughly until the dye powder has dissolved. Wait to mix your dyes until you are ready to apply them.

Pro Tip: Dye left in bottles for more than 72 hours might lose their concentration and may not appear as vibrant after dying.

Step 3: Bind the Item

Lay your damp item or t-shirt out onto a flat surface, make sure the surface has been covered with plastic. We’ll use a t-shirt and the spiral technique as an example, you will find the center of the tee which would be down the middle of the collar, and the section directly under the sleeves. That is your center point for your spiral.

Pinch the fabric in the center and twist the fabric towards the right until the entire shirt is bunched, making a perfect swirl. Use rubber bands to hold the spiraled t-shirt in place by crisscrossing them and creating 6 wedge shapes.

Step 4: Apply the Dye

Using the metal rack, place the t-shirt on to it above a covered surface to avoid making a mess. Wearing your gloves, proceed to apply the dye colors to each wedge created by the rubber bands. Turn the t-shirt and apply the same colors on the back to match the same colors as the other side.

Pro Tip: There’s no wrong way to tie-dye!

Step 5: Let Set

This is the longest step because you will need to let your creation sit for many hours. Place your project into a sealable plastic bag or plastic wrap to keep it damp and let the dye settle. Let your project sit 6 to 8 hours or overnight if you would like to give it some extra time. It’s important for the fabric stays damp while the dye sets, so make sure it’s stored in a cool area.

Step 6: Rinse and Wash

After it has been at least 6 hours and the dye has fully processed, remove the rubber bands and rinse, wash and dry. We recommend you air dry it or follow the instructions on the t-shirt tag.

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7 Best Tie-Dye Techniques & Patterns

Besides this being a fun activity to do with your kids or your friends over some beers, it can also be highly technical with many steps, that if missed, can throw off your design completely.

The Spiral Tie Dye Pattern

This technique is one of the most commonly used and if you’re just getting started this is a good introduction to tie-dying. This technique is simple, pinch the center of the fabric and twist to create folds and then tie with rubber bands strategically then add the dye.

The Reverse Techniques (a.k.a Bleach Tie Dye)

This technique is called reverse or bleach because you’ll need a 100% cotton black fabric and bleach. For this technique, you’ll need to leave your shirt dry and crumple into a tight mound with the rubber bands. There’s no specific pattern to follow, this method is a little looser. Then, mix the bleach in an easy-squeeze bottle to then apply to your fabric. Rotate the fabric as needed while squeezing the bleach into it. Watch as the bleach begins to strip the color of the fabric and gradually remove the rubber bands to then immediately rinse and wash according to instructions.

Once the fabric has been washed, leave it damp and lay it flat on your workstation which should be covered with plastic to avoid making a mess. Then apply the chosen dye colors randomly over the fabric, especially in the lightened sections that were created from the bleach. Once done, put the fabric into a resealable plastic bag and leave it in a cool dry place for 6 to 8 hours. Then rinse and dry.

The Shibori Tie Dye Pattern

This technique is all in the way the fabric is folded. For this technique, we will use a t-shirt as an example. Accordion fold the t-shirt from the bottom edge up towards the collar of the shirt in even folds. Once folded up, starting on the end of the folded shirt, accordion fold it again towards the opposite direction until you reach the other end. Wrap the rubber bands tightly around the folded shirt in each direction, crisscrossing the rubber bands.

Place the folded t-shirt on the rack and begin to squeeze the dye into the fabric on each side. For this technique, indigo blue color dye is usually used. Place the shirt in a sealable plastic bag for 6 to 8 hours or overnight. Once the dye is fully processed, cut away the rubber bands and rinse, wash and dry according to your instruction guide.

The Ice Dye Technique

This technique requires literal ice. The pattern from this technique is very recognizable as it’s one of the most popular. The first step is to damp your fabric in soda ash or the Tulip One-Step tie-dye, then lay your damp fabric out flat on your covered work surface. For this technique, the crumple tie-dye pattern is the most commonly used and worst great, but you can experiment with other patterns you want. After using the rubber bands to bind the fabric, place it on a rack (over a bucket or a bowl is recommended to catch the dye as the ice melts). Then cover the fabric with ice, make sure all of it is covered, the more the better.

After covering the project in ice, sprinkle the dye powder randomly over the ice. The ice will melt and help the dye absorb into the fabric. Depending on where you live and the weather temperature, it could take a while for the ice to melt or not much time at all. If the ice melts quickly, you can then place your project into a sealable bag and allow the dye to set for 6 to 8 hours. If it takes about this long for the ice to melt, it’s time to skip the bag and move on to the next tie-dye step which is rinsing and drying.

The Spider Tie Dye Pattern

For this technique, you will start with a damp fabric and then fold it in half. Pinch the fabric where you would like the center of the spiral to be, then twist until the entire fabric is spiraled. Bind the spiral with three intersecting rubber bands to create six wedge shapes. Apply a different color of dye onto each wedge shape and then carefully flip spiral over and apply the same colors on that side.

Apply black dye to one side of the spiral, completely covering the other colors. Cover with a plastic wrap to keep damp and let it sit for 6 to 8 hours. Then rinse thoroughly and wash separately.

The Kaleidoscope Technique

For this kaleidoscope pattern, you will start with a damp fabric and fold it in half, if using a t-shirt, fold it in half lengthwise and press flat on a tabletop. Pinch the fabric where you would like the center of your first spiral to be, then twist the fabric a few times to create a small spiral.

Maintain the first spiral while pinching another section of the fabric and twist several times to create a second spiral. Then crumble the remaining fabric towards the spirals. Bind the fabric with rubber bands to hold securely. Then make a paper ring to fit around the bound fabric and this will help keep the ice in place when dying.

Instead of adding water to dye bottles to mix, squeeze dye powder of a few colors on top of the ice, then let the ice melt and remove the paper ring. Flip the shirt over and repeat the process on the backside with additional dye powders. Once the backside has been dyed, cut off the rubber bands, then launder according to instructions.

The Firecracker Pattern

Scrunch damp fabric into a tube shape and wrap a rubber band around it at about a third of the way down from the top. Repeat on the bottom third. Add the dye to the top third of the fabric above the rubber bands. Then add Blue dye onto the bottom third of the fabric below the rubber band. Then wrap with plastic and let sit, then rinse and wash accordingly.

The Dip-Dye

Dip-dye (also known as tip dyeing) is a technique that involves dipping the ends of the fabric into dye. Dampen the fabric in preparation for dying then mix the dye of your choice and pour into separate plastic bins of bowls. Dip one side of the fabric into the first color, then squeeze out any excess dye back into the container. Dip the other side of the fabric into the second dye color making sure both dyes don’t touch. Lay the fabric flat on a rack and cover it in plastic wrap. Then let it sit for 6 to 8 hours. Rinse, wash, and dry.

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Brand Spotlight:

LXIX Apparel

While we at Family Industries do not do this type of customization, we have done projects with tie-dye by having help from LXIX Apparel which is a tie-dye haus located in Los Angeles and run by Brian Robert Jones, who is the guitarist for the band Vampire Weekend.

LXIX Apparel focuses on creating vibrant tie-dyed apparel from hoodies, and t-shirt, to full sweatsuits. LXIX has helped us with projects for Urban Farms LA and we have printed for their own brand as well.

Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator

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Follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

For FAQ, check out our site!

For any inquiries, send us a message!

OR

send us an e-mail at quotes@familyindustriesla.com

Our showroom at 2755 Fruitdale Street, Los Angeles, CA 90039 is open by appointment only from 10 am - 4 pm Monday through Friday.

Screen Printing 101: Techniques

So you’re wondering what it would take for you to be able to make your own print? or you’re wondering how Family Industries makes perfect prints? We’ll take you through the steps necessary to achieve a flawless screen print as well as show you how we do it at the Family Industries HQ.

In this article, we will also take you through the different techniques used for specific outcomes and all that will be necessary for you to achieve them which would include equipment and other factors such as time and effort.

How To Get Started

We’ll take you through the fundamental tools you will need to begin this process. Although you can buy ready-to-use kits from websites such as screenprinting.com - you can always find DIY ways to make your own setup.

Check out Create Custom Screen Printing Designs at Home

The Screen

Choosing the right screen mesh can be confusing, a 110 to 160 mesh count screen is the most versatile and the most commonly used in screen printing. We recommend that for prints that are up to 3 colors a 160 (61cm) to 180 (70cm) monofilament mesh screen is best, ensure that they have very well made wood frames that have been purchased with the fabric or mesh already attached (pre-stretched) OR you may also use a metal retentionable screen.

Here’s how to make your own screen

The Press Set-Up

The screen needs to be placed on the press and squared to the shirt board. This is as simple as placing a t-square under the frame and looking through the screen to square the image on the frame to the edge of the board. Now when you make a print it will be straight to the board.

Emulsion

A big part of the photostencil phase of the production cycle, screen printing emulsion is the light-sensitive liquid or capillary-direct films that you coat or adhere to the degreased screen fabric prior to taping your film positives in place.

There are a few choices to pick from when it comes to getting the right emulsion and it has to do with certain variables. Learn about what type of emulsion you will need according to your setup and experience level.

The Ink

Most inks on the market are too thick to print easily by hand and they generally need a slight amount of reduction – or thinning – to make it work better. Thinning does not mean making it softer it means adding a curable reducer rather than a "soft hand" additive. A small amount of reducer will make the ink more workable.

If your print is a three-color print, it is recommended to thin the lightest colors a little more than the darker colors. This will generally be the first color in your print and it needs to penetrate into the garment more than the others, this way, it will not pick it up on the bottoms of the other screens. If black is your last color, you can thin it less. It needs to lay on top of the other colors and it will blend in with the under colors if it is too thin.

Plastisol ink tends to get a little thicker when it isn't in use, so you should always stir the ink before you begin thinning it. By stirring the ink you will find out if it really needs thinner. We recommend an ink that is smooth and creamy to one that is so thick that you break the stick trying to stir it.

The Squeegee

We highly recommend a triple durometer squeegee that has a harder center around a softer outer edge. These give you more control, especially if you have a lot of strength and try to flatten the blade as you make the print (you don't want to flatten the blade). You can also pick up an "old-fashioned" medium hardness blade with a sharp edge and make a great print. A sharp edge shears off the ink cleanly and will make a sharper print than a dull edge blade. If you are a messy printer, you should use the wider 5" handles. These will help keep your fingers out of the ink.

Choose the right squeegee for your screen print job

Techniques

There are technical applications we recommend and we’ll go over details as to how to print once you have your equipment all set up and ready to go.

How Much Ink Should I Use?

Depending on how you work, knowing how much ink to use takes time and practice. Some people have a heavy pour but they are able to manage the printing process to avoid making a mess, while others tend to be a little less coordinated. The rule of thumb is to pour enough to get a good amount of prints without running dry, but not so much that when you print it all rides up onto the squeegee handle. It is much easier to put more ink on a screen and harder to take the excess out! Start off with a small amount and work your way up to learning how much is really needed and how much you can handle.

How Do I Hold The Squeegee?

Top Grip:

A lot of printers use the standard “two-hand, top grip and pull towards you” stroke. While this works well, it can cause some problems if you are printing all day long. Not only will the tips of your fingers and thumbs be sore (and may become numb) you may also feel tenderness in your wrists. What this could cause is a repetitive motion disorder known as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Some people can print their whole lives and never get this but to minimize the chances of developing Carpal Tunnel, you can use special ergonomic squeegees that force you to hold a wider handle.

Side Grip:

This technique moves the strain from the center of your wrist to your forearm muscles. Simply hold the squeegee by the side and pull it towards you. This works great if you are a short person or of average height.

Push or Pull?

The answer to this question is based on preference. Pulling the squeegee towards you is the standard method, but pushing it away from you is really a lot easier. When pulling the squeegee you use more of your wrists and shoulder muscles. When pushing, you use more of your body weight to push the squeegee. We encourage you to try both and figure out what is most comfortable.

How Many Strokes Are Needed?

You really only need one stroke if your ink is diluted enough and you’re printing on a lighter fabric. If the fabric is dark and your ink isn’t sticking as well as you’d like, we encourage you to do two-stroke. If you find that two or three strokes are not doing the job, it may be that your ink is too thick and will need to be diluted a bit more.

How Much Pressure Do I Apply?

We recommend that not a lot of pressure is applied as this can cause the print to be uneven, if the ink is the right consistency then a medium amount of pressure should do the job.

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In Conclusion

Having the right equipment is more than half of the job - buying the equipment and the ink can get expensive, however, if you have a plan and the right design, you can make up the money quickly and begin to profit from your creations.

Practise makes perfect, many techniques can be mastered by just making mistakes and starting over. So, don’t be scared to make errors and having to start over, it’s all part of the process.

Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator

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Our showroom at 2755 Fruitdale Street, Los Angeles, CA 90039 is open by appointment only from 10 am - 4 pm Monday through Friday.

2020 Holiday Gift Ideas

This holiday season will be unlike any other, perhaps you will not be able to travel home to see your family and sit around the table to share a giant feast, or wake up the next morning and watch all the kids in the family smile and laugh with total joy as they open their gifts, but we can still bring joy to our loved ones from far away. We will take you through a couple of thoughtful gift ideas that won’t break the bank and still make a lasting impression.

Personalized or Custom Gift

A gift with a personalized touch such as the person’s initials, their last name, or their favorite sports team is most often the best-personalized gift you can give someone. There are various items that can be customized and here is a list of some of the most popular personalized gift ideas for family, friends, or coworkers.

Personalized embroidery

Embroidering offers a variety of simple custom options as it can be applied to a number of different items from hats to jackets and even shoes. With this option, you have the ability to purchase the items you would like embroidered such as a flat brim hat, a nice denim jacket, or a super soft robe. Some stores will offer embroidery on-site while others will send the item to get embroidered by a 3rd party. Etsy has various 3rd party sellers that offer this customization and they are very reasonably priced.

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Personalized Engraving

Custom engravings are traditionally and most commonly done on jewelry, however, there are other items that are less expensive but equally thoughtful, so you will want to make sure the item you pick is something the person will appreciate and use. You will need to think hard about what the person loves to do, what they like, or what they wear. For example, do they play guitar? perhaps an engraved guitar capo with a lyric from one of their favorite songs, or do they carry a water bottle with them everywhere they go? An engraved hydro flask is absolutely an option!

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Personalized T-Shirts & Other Apparel

Personalized or custom screen printed t-shirts or sweatshirts make a great gift. Print-on-demand services such as Printful and society6 have great prices for one-off prints that can be done on apparel. Etsy also offers a lot of customizable and personalized apparel which is a great alternative if you wish to support small businesses. society6 has an array of original artwork done by artists all over the world, while Printful will allow you to submit your own artwork to be printed on your desired garment. Either way, all options are economical and unique.

There are many customizable options to choose from depending on the person you’re shopping for and your budget. Nevertheless, we assure you that a custom or personalized product will make a lasting impression. You simply cannot go wrong!

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For questions, send us an e-mail at quotes@familyindustriesla.com, or give us a call at 323.227.1547 and we'd be happy to help.

Our showroom at 2755 Fruitdale Street, Los Angeles, CA 90039 is open by appointment only from 10 am - 4 pm Monday through Friday.

Author: Irene Floridia - Content Creator