Screen Printers Open - A Forum for Screen Printing and Embroidery

Well in this case the embroidery puckered after the wash on some dri-fit polos. Looks like they used the wrong backing or something. But like you said one more reason to bring it in house.

 

And here lies the problem. What would you (Preston or Jason) Do so this does not happen to you when you buy your own machine. Post your answers here and I'll tell you when
you get it correct.

Jason can you email me the file so I can make sure it's not the problem.

 

And here lies the problem. What would you (Preston or Jason) Do so this does not happen to you when you buy your own machine. Post your answers here and I'll tell you when
you get it correct.

Jason can you email me the file so I can make sure it's not the problem.

We would handle problems we created doing our own in house embroidery the same way an embroidery shop should take care of any problems they create screen printing once they bring it in house.

Both crafts have a huge learning curve. In both crafts one can do fairly well on the day in and day out simple stuff without decades of OJT. But if you want to get real good then both crafts will take a lot of time to learn and a lot of screw ups getting there. You learn from screwing up it yourself more than you learn from someone else screwing it up for you.

To me a screen printing shop should bring embroidery in house for the same reason an embroidery shop brings screen printing in house.

What is one of my reasons? I can embroider from a wheel chair, I cannot screen print from one.

Jason, please post a pic. I would like to see if we can figure out what's going on. But in the interm, here are some things that can cause problems.

I'm thinking it is a combination of things.

1. improper punching - too many stitches?
2. improper hooping - too tight?
3. wrong backing - not enough, too much or wrong type?

Some people don't hoop garments with the backing. They spray glue backing on or use sticky backing and put it on after hooping.

I myself use a little spray glue on a piece of backing and put it on the garment first, then hoop making sure that it is not too tight. Use as small of a hoop you can get away with, without hitting it while sewing.Too big of a hoop can just make things worse.

I try to keep the density down, otherwise no matter what you do, the design will pucker.

Backing can make a difference as well. Most backings are polyester but some are cotton. If that is being used would it not make sense that it would shrink more than poly when washed? Sometimes extra layers are required, but too many and it makes the design cup.

And most people don't follow washing instructions! Even poly will shrink somewhat if it is washed in hot water.

One last thing, not all thread is created equal. But that's another thread.......