Silk screening CPOs/side art - where can I get how-to info?

Tornadoboy

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Silk screening CPOs/side art - where can I get how-to info?

I've been looking for a side job involving arcade games for extra cash and there seems to be a fair amount of demand for short runs of game artwork, not to mention I'd just love to be able to restore some of my own games. :D

My understanding about silk screening is that it is more a venture of trial and error than an expensive one overhead wise, so I was wondering if there's somewhere I can get info on exactly how one goes about doing cab artwork decals silk screening the proper way? There seems to be a fair amount of books on the subject, can anyone recommend one? Most of them seem to center around things like T-shirts but I want to make durable, high quality decals.

I imagine a large plotter would be needed for the stencils, but those can be gotten pretty cheap used, especially if they need to be rebuilt which is something I have done before. And no doubt there's royalties to be paid for some but that can always be factored into the price.
 
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My understanding about silk screening is that it is more a venture of trial and error than an expensive one overhead wise

I don't think there is any trial and error involved if you know what you are doing (well at least very little). The issue with silk screening has always been the cost factor.

Side art Reproductions 101
 
I don't think there is any trial and error involved if you know what you are doing (well at least very little). The issue with silk screening has always been the cost factor.

Side art Reproductions 101

Awesome link, thanks!

I'm going to do some reading up, the computer work doesn't intimidate me at all as I've done work like that before, the films is something I'd like to figure out how to make myself as that seems to be one of the more costly things. I'm pretty good at improvising my own equipment so I'll have to see how everything works.
 
it's a hell of a lot more complicated and expensive than you're thinking to silkscreen and it takes literally years of experience to do well. It's a learned skill.

You need special skills in artwork, color, color matching, film making, rubylith, screen burning, inks, substrates and of course the basic print process itself. After that, you need the press, screens, exposure units, wash units, inks and supplies, all the drying shelves etc, substrates. Not a cheap date. Most good screeners work a LONG time to gain those skills which is why i have such respect for folks like Rich who does his craft at such a fair price.
 
Like a small chinese boy learning kungfu from an old master
before he grows up to avenge his familys death.
So like anything else theres alot to learn and study in the arts

There is alot of trial and error involved. Even with the info you find out there
its really just guidelines and although most focus around Tshirts its a simalr process just on a much more larger scale and definatly alot more details to do and know than just shirts.
Tshirts are a good begining a leaning curve and dont require much space
But you cant without money space and eqipument jump into doing something like sideart

Most of my blogs cover various steps involved and screening techinques
Im working on a new blog for Screen Sizing Details stay tuned...
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