Screen Print & Embroidery

[TeresaMRoberts]

So I started on these boards making Autograph books with the amazing pages that are designed in another thread. I took it step further figured out how to make hard back covers for my books and embroidered costume covers on them. They turned out BEAUTIFUL. It was suggested to start my own thread If you know anyone who has an embroidery machine or if you have one but not digitizing software I'd be more than happy to send over some personalized designs for you! Here are a couple I've done:

In case you want the link I made a you tube video on how to make these books :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAPlX5d62lM&feature=g-upl


Alright now for the second part. I Was looking into making our matching shirts for the first day we go down. I don't like zazzle because they just look cheap and they really aren't for what your paying. I've looked into custom ink and urber prints and you can really do custom shirts except I only need 4 shirts so I have to get them digital printed (kinda looks like iron on) instead of screen printing. AND you can't print any Disney anything because of copy right laws. So I've decided to get a YuDu machine. In case you don't know about it the makers of the cricket made an at home silk screening hobby machine. So I've been working with photo shop for the first time (the free 30 day version) Trying to come up with design ideas. Still working on the back but here is what I've come up with and I want your opnions, ideas to make it better whatever comes to your mind!
I'm thinking bright green almost neon shirts:

In case you don't know how the YuDu works you have to isolate each color and make it black. Print it on transparencies and it burns the designs into the screens.

Ok so still really open to feed back on the front. I'm working on deals for the back. I am thinking like a Disney character in Halloween costume on the back. A different character for each? I'm having trouble isolating each color one by one on the clip art I found. The front was easy because i created that myself. I kept each layer separate for that reason. So all you who are more Photoshop savy Tips?

 

[TeresaMRoberts]

Turned out very Cute. I used a glow in the dark yellow ink. So everywhere you see yellow it actually glows in the dark. Its beautiful!

 

[TeresaMRoberts]

So I created another design. This is the finished shirts. I LOVE the way they turned out.

I've Had my YUDU machine for about two weeks. These are the kinds of shirts I'm turning out as a newbie. I would totally suggest the YUDU machine to anyone who's interested. I got an aftermarket squeegee for like $13 bucks and I bought 3 aftermarket 220 mesh screens that are yudu compatible from rynett. The screen and Squeegee that comes with the yudu is crap. The aftermarket are tighter and WAY more heavy duty. Figured it was a good investment since we will have many more vacations plus my kids are in 1st and kindergarden. I'm sure I will have more reasons to make awesome shirts. If you need help creating designs or questions post them here!

 

[DANque]

LOVE THE SHIRTS!! Great job!! Wish I had the money to buy one but we don't so I can dream. Enjoy your new machine and the many more years of DISigning!!

Look forward to seeing more things from you!!

 

[TeresaMRoberts]

Thanks!
When the machines first came out a few years back, I didn't have the extra cash but I wanted one! As a single mom of two in college it just really wasn't in the budget!

Now there is so much aftermarket and such its no where near as expensive. Also I don't really get anything "YuDu" Brand.
Not sure what kind of budget your on but I looked having my shirts done at customink.com and a few other sites. I couldn't do screen prints because i needed 12 shirts. They would do "digital prints" for smaller orders. Its like printing a shirt on inkjet printer. To me that's almost the same as buying a pack of transfer sheets and ironing on a design my self. They wont do a lot of Disney anything because copy right laws. After deigning a shirt that I wasn't crazy about to get 4 shirts done it was $100 bucks... Then I knew it was worth me getting a machine.

Figured I break down the cost that it took me to get started incase someone else is interested.

YuDu Machine- $99 at JoAnn Fabrics, They had them for $87 on amazon new with free shipping. I didn't want to wait so i paid few dollars extra went to joann's. I found alot used on craigslist but everyone wanted over $250 for a used machine. If they had extra things they were yudu brand (poorly made and constructed, not worth the price)

I went to SilkScreenSupplies.com And got a REAL silkscreening squeegee. 10 inch for like $13 bucks. The squeegee that came with my yudu is crap. I read reviews before hand and everyone said that and I was like "how can a squeege be bad?" Easy, it was a warped peice of plastic. I couldn't even pull the ink evenly! Drove me crazy after 2 mins with it!

Also I got the yudu compatible aftermarket screens. They have ALLL different kinds, 110, 54, 220, 280, even more than yudu offers. The numbers stand for holes in the screen per inch. One with higher number gives more ink control, lower numbers are good for glitter inks and such. They have alot of educational videos on their website as well for free. I got 3, 220 screens. I knew i wanted to do multicolor. Their cost is about same as yudu but WAY more taunt screens and the frames are laser cut steel and very heavy duty they dont budge like yudu one does. Screens are about $20-23 ish each.

So I'm up to $175 ish

Also got my screen tape $4 (I really like the seal of this tape but you can do with out. Blue panter tape works as well as liquid emulsion from them too, a pint for like $17 bucks. YuDu wants you to buy their emulsion sheets for $10 bucks A SHEET. That were boil down to $10 per screen (so if I have 3-4 color changes per screen that $30-40 bucks to get started... INSANE!!!) You can get it from hobby lobby or Micheals its speedball brand. It works its like $29 bucks. If you willing to wait you can get it for $17 from silkscreensupplies.com. You keep in in the fridge and it last 6 months. You can make like over 50 screens with a pint. It boils down to around 30 cents per screen! talk about mark up for yudu...

Now up to about $200

Ink... you have to decide waterbased or plastisol. I chose waterbase... no chemicals for clean up. I'm using a MIXTURE of brands. I got a speedball starter kit for about $17 bucks from Hobbylobby (I used their 40% off coupon) came with 4 oz of white, black, blue, yellow, red, green.

No you can buy paint from all over the internet. I found the iridescent orange color I wanted (speedball sherbet) For the Pumpkin on my shirt. 8oz $8.99 free shipping. (Tons left over for future projects) I found a GLOW IN THE DARK Yellow color it was alittle more around $11-12. I also got the Bright Lime, Blue, Pink from yudu brand. They had those colors at silkscreensupplies. I in pints, in long run would have saved me money but getting close to my budget I went cheaper with the 3oz yudu bottles. Set of 3 for $15 on a ebay store free shipping. (the ink i used for the color blend on the mickey head)

Last thing Is they tell u you "transparency" sheets for your YUDU when you create your own designs on computers.... THEY ARE Expensive!!!! Pack of 50 cost $70 at staples....
I use vellum from scrapbook section at Hobby Lobby. Works just as good! You can get a pack of 25 sheets for $6.99 BIG DIFFERENCE. Make sure to grab the "clear" ones, they have them in colors as well easy to grab the "Silver" by mistake.

So getting started cost me about $230 ish!

Two sets of shirts and it paid for itself!

I get my shirts from Hobby Lobby, kids sizes are $3.49 each, Adults $3.99 each

Ideas to help you pay you back. I have friend starting a business, he needs just a few logo shirts, Another friend who races motorcycles and he wants "Team Tuna" (his nickname) Shirts made for his family to cheer him on at his races.

So I get to make my own awesome designs for DISNEY and make some extra cash for Disney picking up odd jobs

HOPE THIS HELPS ANYONE THINKING OR WISHING THEY COULD DO IT!!! YOU CAN!!!

 

[DANque]

Thank you so much for all the information. Unfortunately, even $100 is too much right now. It is something I can think of to do in the future.

I will just have to keep admiring your Disigns!!!

 

[monkey30]

hey there what machine do you use for embroidery? I love the designs you have made, I always wondered about the silk screening and such how they would work, glad to see they worked well for you.

Oh and for the machine, what type of file do you need? I am looking at getting a brother one but still unsure, seems complicated to transfer a file over.

 

[TeresaMRoberts]

I have a brother INOVIS2000 I think I could be wrong on the numbers and a huskavarna Viking se. The sewing shops around here try to rip you off I really do your research before you go shopping as as far as for a conversion I found a website you register for free that transfers files over to other formats very easy and quickly. I have that web address saved on my computer at home tell when I get back to my house I'll post it for anybody that might like it. For my digitizing software I use brother pe7 cost a grand total about 4 years ago and still works great. Its not easy for people to drop that for a computer program which is why I started this thread

 

[fiestamomma]

Omg!!! Thank you so much for your breakdown on cost! I've looked at the YuDo since it first came out but could only find manufacture videos and details. Never anything that gave me real details.

I've used my Cameo to cut stencils from freezer paper and painted some shirts for my kids and have gotten to be pretty good. The shirts don't look so "homemade" and the paint is even and set so washing isn't a problem. And I've learned a ton about layering stencils

I've also purchased screen printing vinyl and used my silhouette cameo to cut my designs. But since I don't have a heat press I've had to go to a local shop who presses my designs for me for a $3.00 fee. Much cheaper than having them design, use their vinyls and press it for me. So it's cheaper but a bit of a hassle to go over to the shop and wait till someone is available to press.

I've priced heat pressing machines and found a couple that would be good for home use for less than $300. It's a big purchase for my "craft hobby" but like you I've thought of finding odd jobs to cut into the cost.

Do you have a blog or video tutorial on the process to use your silk screen machine? I've seen the YuDo video but of course it looks super easy there and with time lapse looks like I could mass manufacture shirts in a half hour LOL
I would love your "real person" with "real life" details on how it works!! Time frame for one shirt? Multiple steps or drying time? Need more screens for multiple shirts at once?

Thanks again!!

 

[TeresaMRoberts]

I haven't done any videos yet but I guess that's a really good idea because I found videos of certain parts of the process but not just 1 that showed a complete start to finish so I'm finishing up a design for a third Disney shirt and I'll probably do it next few days so ill film it screens for muliplue colors is a huge help but it wouldn't be impossible to do with just 1 but it would add hours to your process. Prep time takes the most work it takes about I have my emotion mixed up already but for you to coat 3 screen about 15 to 20 minutes and another 20-40 minutes to complete drying time for all 3 screens, burning since I use vellum takes a little longer 10 minutes per screen. If I want vibrant colors I use hair dryer for in between passes I'm still working on curring. Tried heat gun not happy getting ready to try the oven method but haven't washed the shirt yet. Ill keep you updated

 

[fiestamomma]

Yes those sound like the videos I've found so far as well it sounds like you have your system pretty set and that's awesome! If you did do a video I know I'd watch I'm really loving these boards and kicking myself for not finding tender sooner!

 

[bababear_50]

Awesome just awesome
Thanks for sharing
Hugs Mel

 

[TeresaMRoberts]

So here is the design that I'm working on. I think I'm ready to start screen printing this one. Want some objective opinions. This is going on red shirt (that would be why the background is red) And plan on wearing this to Animal Kingdom. I looked up Hakuna Matata and its swahili and really does mean No Worries. So looked up how to say Roberts Family Has No Worries.... Roberts Familia ina Hakuna Matata.

Thoughts?!

 

[fiestamomma]

I love the colors and the design!! Only thing I noticed is when I first read your last name I thought it said "Rooberts". I think because of the swirl at the end of the "R". Or it could be because it's after midnight and I'm still up

 

[DANque]

Love the design. Awesome job.

 

[TeresaMRoberts]

Thanks for the impute once you pointed out the swirl on the R I just kept noticing it every time I looked at it. I changed the font to Jokeman similar but it removed that swirl! lol

 

[sazzlynn]

You're amazing! I loved your initial post with the autograph books and watched the whole video. =) I Love, Love, Love the T-shirts you're doing! First, you had me wanting an embroidery machine, now I need one of these YUDU ones too. Please keep posting your stuff I love seeing what you're up to.

 

[scrapah1]

All I can say is Wow and please make a video. Like so many others have said, I have wanted a YuDu since they first came out. My big question was though how to do multiple colors (basically I was thinking Disney shirts or holiday shirts for the kiddos).

Your designs are absolutely amazing. I esp. love the Animal Kingdom design. Like others have said I did think the swirl on the R was another o but it sounds like you changed that already.

May I also ask where you found the images for the Animal Kingdom shirt and the black castle w/design behind and ok, the pumpkin w/ears. Did you create all of those yourself?

Thank you so much for the inspiration and thank you for the details on the best places to find supplies and recommendations. That is so helpful.

Like you we have a lot of shirts to make I need to re-read all the posts but did you say how long it takes to make a shirt (or assembly line I am guessing). How long to wait for one color to dry before making the next?

Thanks again for sharing your amazing work! We went on a large family vacation in 2010 and are going again next year and I was wanting something different. Thanks to you, I think I found it. I am subscribing in the hopes that a video is coming soon.

 

[scrapah1]

No worries if the answer is no but just curious if you are willing to share your layers of your other designs, I really like the Magic and Hakuna Matata images. Thought it wouldn't hurt to ask

 

[TeresaMRoberts]

The video is coming soon, I promise. Between colors its only a few mins, I use a hair dryer to speed it up. If you use a heat gun on the t-shirt platens that come with the yudu you'll melt the plastic. But hair dryer doesn't generate enough heat to melt plastic. I've made my designs by piecing together clip art. I found a pumpkin clip-art then a mickey mouse silhouette and erased part of it to make the mickey ears. Made swirls for the ears and face on the pumpkin. Tried making it look like the pumpkin mickey years that I've seen pics of.

I'd be more than happy to post the design layers. Do you want any of it personalized or anything? My biggest thing was that with my designs I wanted to be the first one to wear them in the park. lol I know that probably sounds silly. But if your not going till next year your more than welcome to them.

I'm going to start on the video tonight when I get home from the office.