- Canva Magic Media: I used Canva Magic Media to generate the graphics.
- Adobe Illustrator: Then I used Adobe Illustrator to vectorize the graphics using image trace.
- File Format: Save your file as a png with a transparent background.
How to Screen Print on a Tote Bag using the Riso MiScreen a4
1. Artwork
You can use everything from simple to high detail, halftone and photorealistic artwork. Just remember that each screen will only print one color. So if you want to print a design with multiple colors you have to make a screen for each color.
2. ScreenMaking Software
ScreenMaking is the software you use with the Riso MiScreen a4 that works on both Mac and PC computers. It's a simple and easy to use software that takes your graphics and shows you how it will burn it into the screen using the MiScreen a4.
- Load the artwork: Load the artwork into ScreenMaking by dropping it in.
- Slice Level: Adjust the Slice Level so you get as much detail as you want in your design.
- Placement: The dimensions of the art board are 210mm x 300mm or 8.2 inches wide by 11.8 inches tall. Where you place your artwork is where your design will burn on the mesh. To screen print on a tote bag, place your artwork in the center of the art board.
- Mirror Image: Depending on the software version you may need to mirror your image so it comes out correctly on the MiScreen. This is also useful if you just want to print your artwork mirrored.
- Send Image: When you're ready to burn your mesh click send image to send it over to the MiScreen a4.
3. Making the Screen
- Mesh: We are going to be using 120 Pre Cut Mesh Sheets.
- Tape: Tape the edges of the Acrylic frame with 4 strips of double sided tape. Leave them covered for now.
- Apply the Mesh: Uncover the top strip and apply the top of the mesh to it with the matte side facing you and the shiny side facing away from you. If you can't tell which side is which you can lick your finger and rub the corner of the mesh. The sleeker side is the shiny side.
- Mesh pt 2: Throw the mesh over and away from the acrylic frame. Uncover the remaining 3 strips of double sided tape and place the mesh over the tape with both hands.
- Smooth it Out: Lift and re-place the side(s) of the mesh to smooth out the mesh and get good tension.
- Press the Tape: When you're happy with the mesh placement press the mesh to the tape with your finger or a plastic squeegee.
4. Burning the Mesh with the MiScreen
- Plug in the MiScreen: Plug in the MiScreen power cord and printer cable. Connect it to the computer and power it up.
- Send Image: Send the image from the ScreenMaking Software
- Load the Frame: Load the Acrylic Frame in the MiScreen by placing the screen in with the arrow facing forward. Line up the small and large holes to the pins and drop in the frame.
- Burn the Mesh: With the Acrylic frame in place, push down on the MiScreen and it will automatically start moving the acrylic frame and burning the image in the mesh. When it's done burning, it will automatically stop. Then just stop pressing down on the MiScreen take the frame out.
5. Pre-Press
- Key Screen: Attach the acrylic frame to the Key Screen so we can use it on a screen printing press.
- Load and Register: Load the Key Screen on the Screen Printing Press and register it to the platen to make sure it's centered and straight.
- Tote Bag Placement: If you are laying the tote bag on top of the platen make a mark you can use to line up the bag so that the print falls in the same place each time.
- Key Tip - Height: Depending on what you're printing you can adjust the height of the screen for a better print.
- Key Tip - Registration: You can see the image in the mesh better after you print a test print. So if it's not straight at first you can re-register the image after the test print.
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6. Screen Print
- Test Print: Load a test bag and print a test print. The design should land approximately in the center of the tote bag or slightly higher or lower based on your preference. Just avoid making contact with the handles or any other object while printing.
- Ink: When you're happy with your test print, mix up some Ink and add ink to your screen.
- Squeegee: You want to use a squeegee that is slightly bigger than the design so you can print the entire image with one pull.
- Screen Printing Process: Load the toe bag, lower the screen, print the design, lift the screen, flood the print and set the squeegee aside. Then remove the tote bag and cure the ink .
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7. Curing the Ink
The time and temperature to cure the ink is based on the type of ink (plastisol, water based, etc.) and any additives (low cure, special effects, etc.) Many plastisol inks cure at 320°F as a reference but check with the manufacturer of your ink for the specifications.
- Using a Hot Air Heat Gun: Set the temperature of the hot air gun around 320°F - 350°F and go over the design one section at a time. Keep the hot air gun moving so it doesn't scorch the tote bag and make sure the ink gets to the required temperature to properly cure.
- Using a Flash Dryer: Set the flash dryer height so it heats the ink and doesn't scorch the tote bag. Use a temperature thermometer gun to check the ink so that it reaches the required temperature to cure properly.
- Using a Conveyor Dryer: Set the temperature and belt speed to properly cure your ink. Then lay the tote bag on the conveyor with the print directly facing the heat source. Use a box to catch the tote bags on the other end.
- Key Tip: Don't stack the tote bags or touch the print before you cure the ink . You can carefully check if the ink it wet but be careful to not smudge wet ink on the tote bag.
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