Welcome to Pigskins & Pigtails, where I teach Cricut crafters and hobbyists how to master screen printing with vinyl, right from their own homes. My unique approach simplifies traditional methods, making screen printing accessible and fun for everyone. Whether you're a beginner or just curious, you'll find everything you need to get started, including step-by-step tutorials, multi-color design tips, and insider tricks to become a pro screen printer. On my channel, you'll discover: - Screen Printing with Vinyl: Learn how to use your Cricut, Silhouette, or any cutting machine for amazing screen prints. - Comparisons: Screen printing vs. HTV vs. Sublimation - best methods for your projects - Product Reviews: Honest reviews on vinyl cutters, heat presses, and the latest tools like the xTool laser machines. Don't miss out on new content! Subscribe to Pigskins & Pigtails and join my email list for exclusive updates, tips, and special offers. Let's create something amazing together!
You can print an unlimited number of colors! Check out my video “3 Ways to Screen Print Multi-Color Designs on a Press using Vinyl” to see more about registering your screens
Just ordered my pigtails press bundle with some extra screens and clamp heads. Will return here when it arrives to follow along. It looks like it will be a wonderful screen press for years to come. Well thought out design for the home crafter/ small business folks.
Hi Jennifer, what is the biggest size screen that can be used with your starter press? Also can plastisol ink be used on the screens the press comes with? Thank you in advance.
You can use almost any screen, you would just need a larger platen to accommodate- you can use any of the platens that Ryonet sells (the largest one that I have is 18”)
Your videos have inspired me and I finally screen printed my first project. I'm getting ready to do try my first multi colored project and am wondering if I need to let my screen dry after washing before moving on to the next color?
I love hearing that! If you are using the same screen for the second color, yes. You want to make sure that the screen is completely dry before adhering the vinyl for the next color. If you have two screens- once you finish the first color still wash that screen so the ink doesn’t dry. That will give the first layer of your design time to dry before you print the second (you want that to be completely dry before placing the next screen on top)
@@pigskinsandpigtails Thank you for the quick reply! I will work on the project this week. I appreciate the tip about cleaning the first screen right away. My project is 3 colors and I only have 2 screens.
Great video, I am about to start printing shirts myself. Would it be wise to add the tape for the registration marks to all of the shirts in a batch, before you print the first one ? Might I suggest using tape to mark the corner positions of the first screen on all shirts so it is quicker to place it, especially after it is loaded with ink ?
Thanks! That is a good idea, anything you can do to speed up the process once you have ink on the screen is a good thing. Tag me and let me know how your shirts turn out, I’d love to see!
Thank you for this tutorial, I think I’m finally ready to try out screen printing with your new press and platen bundle and the Romeo. I’ve been using heat transfers as a way to get started but have been wanting to get started with old school screen printing. Using your vinyl method is ingenious and is more approachable for me vs. having to burn screens. I’m thinking of starting with bandanas. Thanks again! 😊
🙌 I’m so excited for you to get started screen printing! I’d love to teach you all about screen printing using your vinyl cutter. Here’s a good place to get started: www.pigskinsandpigtails.com/screen-printing-beginners/
I was using a Dyson hair dryer here- typically I would use a heat gun but we were on the road so had to come up with a makeshift solution! Here’s an affiliate link to the heat gun that I like using: www.pigskinsandpigtails.com/a/heat-gun
So I’m doing tank tops and the ink is going thru the other side, when I lay it out to dry. Should I dry the ink with a heat gun before taking it off the press??
If you are printing just a few, you could slide a sheet of parchment paper inside the shirt after you take it off the press before setting it down to dry. You may not want to do that if it is a big run of shirts- in that case the heat gun is a good idea
I received my press this week. I am currently waiting on a replacement print arm. The arm was drilled misaligned. Also, I had some major misalignment issues with the bottom of the frame (on the legs). The holes were misaligned by about a eighth of an inch (top holes were fine). I ended up having to drill the holes out to make them fit. Overall it seems like a great press with some very thoughtful design. Just needs a little better quality control, especially for this price.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. I just bought a cricut joy xtra & I'm very interested trying ur techniques on screen printing for my t-shirt. I love doing my own designs & quotes. Next video I need to look up is how to own my designs. Can't wait to see ur next project.
Great timing! I just announced an upcoming workshop I'm teaching about how to make your own design files! You can learn more here: www.pigskinsandpigtails.com/upcoming-events/
Thank you for this because many other video have you put the design on top of the screen. For certain designs for me the designs never come out crisp and I have to redo shirts. Mirror it and doing it this way is a game changer
🙌 another reason I love having the vinyl on the back of the screen is so your squeegee has a nice smooth surface to go over. I love the sharp details you can get with this method 😁
