Creating Artwork For Screen Printing: Object And Type Tips For Illustrator

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Catspit Productions

This is another preface and introductory artwork video about how to use Illustrator. This is a fun video which will teach you some tips on moving objects around on the canvas, grouping, creating fonts as outlines, and more. I was going to upload another, longer video but I felt that I needed to preface a little more for those of you who have never worked in Illustrator before. The next artwork video will be from a cancelled DVD I half produced and it will include information on film output and setting up simple 1 color vector art for screenprinting. In the meantime, enjoy this fun video on Illustrator.

The new educational video is called, “Creating Artwork For Screen Printing: Object And Type Tips For Illustrator.” This is only my third artwork video. This tutorial video is another preface to one we hope to upload very soon. In this third installment of Illustrator tips we take a look at a few different ways you can manipulate objects on one layer to be in front or in back of one another. You’ll learn how to move objects and typesetting so you may create a design in one a layer canvas. This is a simple yet very important skill to learn for working with Illustrator vector artwork. In this video we also look at creating outlines for fonts so that we may send AI files from one computer to another without worrying about whether or not that other computer has the fonts you used. We also take a look at grouping and ungrouping objects so you can move them about the canvas as one object. You’ll even see why the magnifying tool can be very helpful too. And finally you’ll be ready for the next artwork video in which we will take a look at assembling very simple basic spot color art for printing tee shirts which includes film output tips.

Learn how to screen print for fun or for profit and save on screenprinting supplies with Catspit Productions, LLC!

Posted in Artwork, Classes & Training, Design, Do It Your Self, How To Screen Print Tee Shirts, Screen Printing, Screen Printing Videos, Screenprinting Artwork, YouTube | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Creating Artwork For Screen Printing: Bringing Designs Into Illustrator

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Catspit Productions

This is another preface and introductory artwork video about how to use Illustrator. In this video you’ll learn how to bring designs into your AI canvas in order to combine graphic elements in one design. I am still experimenting with the audio for these Illustrator videos. In this one I didn’t really like the audio quality so we’ll see what I can do about that. My options may be limited. But I think this is still a very cool video for people just starting to learn how to create vector artwork for screen printing using Illustrator.

The new tutorial video is called, “Creating Artwork For Screen Printing: Bringing Designs Into Illustrator.” This is only my second artwork video. This tutorial video is another preface to one we hope to upload later this week. In this second installment of Illustrator tips we take a look at a few different ways you can bring in existing vector art as AI files. We also take a look at the Place function and how to use that to insert image files onto your vector canvas. The video will effectively teach you how to bring your design elements into your Illustrator file and begin working with them. You’ll also learn about clip art and why it is so important to a beginning screen printing artist. And if you have a decent collection of clip art files on your computer you’ll learn how to use Adobe Bridge to view and select them for importing into your open AI file. After watching the previous artwork video along with this one you’ll be able to put together simple artwork for screenprinting using clip art and typesetting. And you’ll be ready for the next artwork video in which we will take a look at assembling very simple basic spot color art for printing tee shirts.

Learn how to screen print for fun or for profit and save on screenprinting supplies with Catspit Productions, LLC!

Posted in Artwork, Design, Do It Your Self, How To Screen Print Tee Shirts, Screen Printing, Screen Printing Videos, Screenprinting Artwork, YouTube | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Creating Artwork For Screen Printing: Basic Introduction To Illustrator

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Catspit Productions

Here we go everyone…. the long awaited first video about creating vector artwork for screen printing tee shirts using Illustrator. I intended this video to be a very simple, basic introduction to Illustrator for beginners. I made it to preface another video that is also simple and basic because I felt a certain understanding of fundamental tools in Illustrator would be necessary. This video prepares you for a much longer video in which we will create basic spot color art. More about that later but for now enjoy this video. If you just bought Illustrator or you’re new to screen printing and need to think about how you’re going to create your artwork, you should enjoy this video very much.

The video is called, “Creating Artwork For Screen Printing: Basic Introduction To Illustrator.”  This is my first ever artwork video. I made this video to preface another artwork video that covers how to make simple one color vector artwork for screen printing tee shirts. In this video I prepare you to make some very basic spot color art for printing on a manual 1 color, 1 station screenprinting press. If you have recently purchased Illustrator for creating tee shirt art then this is a great video to get you comfortable with the fundamentals. Here we will discuss different tools very briefly like scale, type, free transform, pencil, pen and others. I show you where the tools are and I demonstrate the basic functions of each. Learn how to do basic typesetting and learn how to create simple shapes in this powerful vector art software. Find out what fill and stroke means while seeing how to manipulate them. This is a very basic walk through of some of the core tools you will use on a regular basis when using Illustrator to create vector T-Shirt artwork and designs. The video covers a lot and it’s a brief summary so don’t feel overwhelmed. Hopefully we will get to make more videos like this one to help you learn the ropes of artwork creation.

Learn how to screen print for fun or for profit and save on screenprinting supplies with Catspit Productions, LLC!

Posted in Artwork, Design, Do It Your Self, How To Screen Print Tee Shirts, Screen Printing, Screen Printing Videos, Screenprinting Artwork, YouTube | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Catspit Screenprinting Start Up Kits For Printing Tee Shirts

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Catspit Productions

These kits were built by me featuring RANAR equipment. I put my brain to work and picked out all the supplies and accessories I would want with each of the 3 presses featured in the kits. These presses are guaranteed to last and the supplies will get you printing the day the kit arrives. All you’ll need to do is create some artwork to be ready to make some screen printed tee shirts. Very Catspit cool indeed 😉

Catspit Productions now offers our own line of startup kits featuring RANAR equipment. No sales tax on out of Arizona State sales and free shipping on all orders in the continental US.

http://www.catspitproductionsllc.com/catspit-screen-printing-startup-kits.html

Alley Cat TM- $1,137.00
P-110 1 color/ 1 station bench press, 16×18 adult pallet
2- 110, 20×24 mesh screens
16 inch scoop coater
15 inch 70 durometer squeegee
6 inch 70 durometer squeegee
basic exposure unit, 110v
D-162 16×16 flash cure unit w/o thermostat, 110v
Plastisol inks – 1qt white, 1qt red, yellow, green, blue and black
infrared temperature gun
1- box of 50 sheets inkjet film, 8.5×11
I quart each of: block out, mesh prep, press wash, emulsion remover, haze remover, and 1 quart Textil PV Emulsion, 2 cans spray tack

Tom Cat TM – 1,761.00
P-205 2 color/ 1 station bench press, 16×18 adult pallets
1- 3.5 inch pocket pallet
2- 110, 20×24 mesh screens
1- 156, 20×24 mesh screen
16 inch scoop coater
2- 15 inch 70 durometer squeegees
2- 6 inch 70 durometer squeegees
CBX exposure unit, 110v
D-162 16×16 flash cure unit w/o thermostat, 110v
Plastisol inks – 1qt white, 1qt red, yellow, green, blue and black
infrared temperature gun
1- box of 100 sheets inkjet film, 8.5×11
I quart each of: block out, mesh prep, press wash, emulsion remover, haze remover, and 1 quart Textil PV Emulsion, 2 cans spray tack

Lap Cat TM – $2,707.00
P-425BT 4 color/ 2 station bench press, 16×18 adult pallets
1- 18×20 X-large pallet
1- 3.5 inch pocket pallet
1- 5×20 sleeve/leg pallet
4- 110, 20×24 mesh screens
2- 156, 20×24 mesh screens
1- 200, 20×24 mesh screen
16 inch scoop coater
4- 15 inch 70 durometer squeegees
4- 6 inch 70 durometer squeegees
CBX exposure unit, 110v
D-1822 18×20 flash cure unit w/o thermostat, 110v
Plastisol inks – 1qt white, 1qt red, yellow, green, blue and black
infrared temperature gun
1- box of 100 sheets inkjet film, 11×17
I quart each of: block out, mesh prep, press wash, emulsion remover, haze remover, and 1 Gallon Textil PV Emulsion, 2 cans spray tack

http://www.catspitproductionsllc.com/catspit-screen-printing-startup-kits.html

Posted in Advertisement, Do It Your Self, How To Screen Print Tee Shirts, Sales, Screen Printing, Screen Printing Equipment, Screen Printing Videos, Screenprinting Product Review, YouTube | Tagged | Leave a comment

Screen Printing Paper Graffiti Stickers And Tee Shirts By SIVE

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Catspit Productions

Check this out! This is my first official YouTube video collaboration. I worked with a graffiti artist to make a screen printing and graffiti drawing collaboration video. In this video we take a hand drawn graffiti design and screen print paper stickers as well as tee shirts. I think this video is a lot of fun and it was a blast to make. Make sure to check out IISIVEII on YouTube. His links are in the video description on YouTube.

This video is called, “Screen Printing Paper Graffiti Stickers And Tee Shirts By SIVE.” This is my first official collaboration video with another YouTube Partner and channel of similar popularity. I have been approached many times in the past to do collaborations but most people flake out on me. One time a very popular cartoon drawing channel was going to do a collaboration video with me but YouTube picked him up and he blew me off…. LOL 😦 Other times I approached channels that were more popular than mine and they never respond. YouTube can be a vicious place but there are great communities there. One such more friendly community is the graffiti art niche. I’m from NYC so I know my graffiti pretty well even though I do not draw graffiti art. I really enjoy seeing it done and graffiti art can be very powerful often crossing over into stenciling and stencil art. As I perused YouTube’s collection of graffiti artwork I found a guy named IISIVEII who has a popular channel for graffiti art, stickers, black books, trades and more. In this video we work together to make some very custom paper stickers and tee shirts with a piece of IISIVEII artwork. You’ll get to see the drawing, the printing and the hand coloring. This is a very fun video and there are some freebies to be had on this one as well in the future. Check it out and get all the details on how you can win some of the goodies we made for this video.

IISIVEII – http://www.youtube.com/user/IISIVEII

IISIVEII Products – http://sive.bigcartel.com/

Posted in Collaboration, Do It Your Self, graffiti, How To Screen Print Tee Shirts, Screen Printing, Screen Printing Videos, YouTube | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Screen Printing: Heavy Duty Pressure Washer From RhinoTech

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Catspit Productions

I was accused of selling out! Watch this video and hear what I have to say about that. It’s a quick introduction to my new pressure washer from RhinoTech. This is the pressure washer I introduced in the trade show video at ISS in Long Beach. In this video I explain who I recommend this product for and why. I also share with you my home owners picks from Amazon.com which I have affiliate links for on my website. It’s another fun and informative video with your screenprinting buddy, Jonathan.

The new video is called, “Screen Printing: Heavy Duty Pressure Washer From RhinoTech.” This is another great introduction product review on the RS1500 heavy duty pressure washer from RhinoTech. This unit was featured in a previous trade show video and now it is in the Catspit shop for a good rundown and review. In this video Jonathan explains who this product is meant for and clarifies some confusion regarding his promotion of this particular unit. Some have accused us of selling out and promoting very expensive equipment to hobbyists and casual screen printers working from home. That is not the case. Hear what Jonathan has to say about it in this video and learn why he suggests this pressure washer and to whom. You’ll also get some close up views of the pressure washer and its components as Jonathan describes the build to you. If you’re a commercial screen printer who uses their pressure washer daily and you’re tired of buying homeowner units only to replace them then watch this video. You’ll be very happy you did.

RhinoTech will give you a 5% discount plus free shipping on orders over $50. Make sure to use code:

Catspit511

when you check out.

http://www.catspitproductionsllc.com/rhinotech-screen-printing-supplies.html

This is the pressure washer featured in this video:

http://www.rhinotechinc.com/screen-printing-equipment/pressure-wash/RS1500A

Enter code Catspit511 at checkout for a 5% discount!!

Amazon.com pressure washers and Jonathan’s picks:

http://www.catspitproductionsllc.com/screen-printing-pressure-washers.html

Learn how to screen print for fun or for profit and save on screenprinting supplies with Catspit Productions, LLC!

Posted in Advertisement, Do It Your Self, How To Screen Print Tee Shirts, Sales, Screen Printing, Screen Printing Equipment, Screen Printing Videos, Screenprinting Product Review, YouTube | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Screen Printed Temporary Tattoos For Your Car Or Truck

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Catspit Productions

It is getting warm here in Phoenix so I headed out side to do a fun entertainment video for you all about temporary tattoos for your car or truck. This is a major ghetto method using plastisol inks on glass. The ink will dry to the touch and always be removable with a dry rag. It’s a great way to have some fun with friends and neighbors. I uploaded this late last night due to a personal emergency here in the Catspit homestead. So I am a little behind on answering questions and such. Please be patient and I will attempt to catch up over the weekend. In the meantime enjoy this fun video that demonstrates how versatile screen printing is. This video actually shows how a simple screen and squeegee can print many different items with some printing skill 😉

The video is called, “Screen Printed Temporary Tattoos For Your Car Or Truck.” This is a fun educational video about screen printing that demonstrates how versatile screenprinting is and even with a standard tee shirt screen we can actually print many different things in unique ways. This is an old school method of creating a temporary tattoo for cars and trucks that is printed directly onto the window glass. In this video we see a barefoot Jonathan in beautiful Arizona sun take an ordinary manual 20×24 screen with plastisol ink outside to print on the back window of his car. The plastisol ink will print onto the glass easily and is removed with little effort whenever you wish. Simply wipe it off with a rag. If you leave the temporary tattoo on for some time in the sun or summertime, especially in Phoenix, the ink will dry to the touch but still be easily removed with a rag. If you have a junker car with oxidized paint you can print onto the paint and the plastisol ink becomes somewhat permanent in the oxidized layer of your crappy paint job 😉 This video is purely for fun and shouldn’t be taken seriously… unless you want to use the correct inks for glass and try it.

Learn how to screen print for fun or for profit and save on screenprinting supplies with Catspit Productions, LLC!

Posted in Arizona, Do It Your Self, How To Screen Print Tee Shirts, Muscle Cars, Screen Printing, Screen Printing Videos, YouTube | Tagged , | Leave a comment

How To Screen Print Tee Shirts: Drawing Your Pallet Lines

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Catspit Productions

Here is a very cool new video about how to create your pallet lines on press in order to line up screens square to the pallet. This was one of those questions that I have been repeatedly asked so I figured it was time to do a video on it to answer any more questions about it that may come my way. We received a forum question about this last week so that made me decide to make the video over this past weekend. Also in this video is the first testing of the new intro and outro along with some new in video graphics. The intro looks great and we only have a few minor tweaks to finish it up.

This screen printing tutorial video is called, “How To Screen Print Tee Shirts: Drawing Your Pallet Lines.” Here we have yet another excellent screen printing tutorial video from Catspit Productions. In many of the Catspit videos we see the pallets and often times there is a pallet with cross hairs or lines on the pallet tape. It seems that these lines confused many people and they knew what they were for but not necessarily how or why we create them. So this is a pretty simple instructional demonstration which shows you how Jonathan creates his pallet lines. He also explains why he does this and how this helps him when in production on press. You’ll learn what tools he used to make the pallet lines as he walks you through the drawing of a new set of pallet lines on press. It’s safe to say that you’ll learn everything you’ll ever need to know about these strange and cryptic pallet markings. If you have a sharpie, a ruler and a tee square you’ll be able to follow along with Jonathan as he sets up his pallet for a brand new screen printing job.

Learn how to screen print for fun or for profit and save on screenprinting supplies with Catspit Productions, LLC!

Posted in Do It Your Self, How To Screen Print Tee Shirts, Screen Printing, Screen Printing Videos, YouTube | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Screen Printing Production Tips: Washing Out The Stencil

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Catspit Productions

This video may be a little long but if you are having any difficulties with washing out your stencils then you’ll want to watch this production video with actual working tips. I had a few screens to burn the other day and since we have been getting a lot of questions about screen making recently I thought I would just bring you guys along for the production while I blabbered about some screenprinting tips related to washing out screens. I know we have covered this before but I was hoping I might share a few tips I hadn’t thought of for one of the regular videos I did in the past. So this video is like you were in the shop with me and I just talked to you while I worked. I wasn’t too sure about the result but it seems that it’s a pretty good video after all.

This video is called, “Screen Printing Production Tips: Washing Out The Stencil.” This educational screen printing video is an actual production video about making screens. Screen making is one of the most challenging parts of the silkscreen printing process. Many people new to screenprinting have many difficulties with the step. Unfortunately it is a most necessary and critical step which can have a huge impact on how the job prints on press and how much difficulty you could have. A lot of people over look some simple things during this process. This tutorial video will walk you through washing out screens as Jonathan makes 3 screens while imparting some wisdom about screen making. Although we have done videos about screen making before, we have done few videos like this one where we actually teach while we are working. If you want to see what it is like for an experienced screen printer to make screens then come along on this journey into screen making with Jonathan from Catspit Productions. He’ll be happy to speak with you while you watch him washout a few screens.

Learn how to screen print for fun or for profit and save on screenprinting supplies with Catspit Productions, LLC!

Posted in Do It Your Self, How To Screen Print Tee Shirts, Screen Printing Videos, YouTube | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Screen Printing: Emulsion Adhesion And Mesh Preparation

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Catspit Productions

Here is another very cool quick tips video that got its inspiration from the Catspit Learn How To Screenprint Forum. This is a question I get asked often and in the past week we received two forum posts that seemed to relate to the exact same cause even though the symptoms were slightly different. It seems some people are having difficulty burning screens and they are overlooking a simple step that will greatly improve their screen making efforts. Emulsion to mesh adhesion can make or break you in the washout booth. So in this video we discuss the two very different types of mesh preparation you should be doing in your screen print shop.

The new video is called, “Screen Printing: Emulsion Adhesion And Mesh Preparation.” This educational video was inspired by the very users of the Catspit Productions learn how to screen print tutorial forum on the Catspit website. It’s another example of how the forum provides for great topics to make YouTube videos from. Now this topic was actually posted twice as two different questions about emulsion to mesh adhesion. Of course the posters did not know that their posts would make for a great screen printing video but since the topic comes up often enough and we had two queries in the same week we decided to make this into a video right away. Evidently many people seem to be unaware that there are basically two types of mesh preparation you will be doing in your screen print shop. The first type of mesh prep deals with brand new, never used screens. The second type concerns used screens or reclaimed screens being reused. If you are having any difficulties with emulsion flapping off in high detail areas during washout or edges of the stencil coming away from the mesh during printing you will want to watch this educational screenprinting video.

Learn how to screen print for fun or for profit and save on screenprinting supplies with Catspit Productions, LLC!

Posted in Do It Your Self, How To Screen Print Tee Shirts, Screen Printing, Screen Printing Videos, YouTube | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment