Screen Printing & Sublimation Course

Lesson 1 • Comparing Screen Printing and Sublimation

Analyzes the technical and business differences between both methods. Students gain a decision framework for choosing the correct process per project.

Lesson 2 • Industry Overview and Career Paths

Covers the scope of the decorated apparel market, major segments, and professional roles. Establishes context for why both printing methods matter commercially.

Lesson 3 • Core Terminology and Concepts

Defines essential vocabulary used across screen printing and sublimation. Shared language prevents miscommunication throughout the course.

Lesson 1 • Sublimation File Preparation

Covers ICC profiles, bleed setup, and mirroring requirements unique to sublimation printing. Proper file prep prevents color shift and misregistration on transfer.

Lesson 2 • Color Separation Principles

Teaches how full-color artwork is broken into individual ink layers for screen printing. Accurate separations directly determine print quality and cost.

Lesson 3 • Artwork Approval and Proofing Workflow

Establishes a structured review process from client brief to approved proof. A consistent workflow reduces revision cycles and production errors.

Lesson 1 • Press Types and Configurations

Compares manual, automatic, and hybrid press designs and their production capacities. Press selection determines throughput and labor requirements.

Lesson 2 • Inks: Types, Properties, and Selection

Surveys plastisol, water-based, discharge, and specialty inks and their substrate requirements. Ink choice affects feel, durability, and environmental impact.

Lesson 3 • Curing Equipment and Methods

Covers conveyor dryers, flash cure units, and heat gun limitations for ink curing. Proper cure temperature and dwell time determine wash durability.

Lesson 4 • Squeegees, Floodbars, and Off-Contact

Explains squeegee durometer, blade profiles, and off-contact distance settings. These variables directly control ink shear and print sharpness.

Lesson 1 • Washout, Drying, and Hardening

Details proper washout pressure, drying methods, and post-exposure hardening options. These steps lock in stencil durability for long print runs.

Lesson 2 • Emulsion Types and Coating Techniques

Compares diazo, photopolymer, and dual-cure emulsions and their exposure latitude. Coating consistency determines stencil thickness and edge definition.

Lesson 3 • Film Output and Positive Preparation

Covers film positive printing, density requirements, and manual positive creation. High-density positives block UV light and produce clean stencil edges.

Lesson 4 • Exposure Units and Light Sources

Explains UV light sources, exposure unit types, and the exposure calculator method. Correct exposure time is the single most critical stencil variable.

Lesson 1 • Printing Sequence and Color Order

Explains how ink opacity, wet-on-wet printing, and flash curing determine color print order. Correct sequence maximizes color accuracy and production speed.

Lesson 2 • Specialty Printing Applications

Covers printing on caps, bags, hard goods, and non-standard substrates. Expanding substrate range increases shop revenue potential.

Lesson 3 • Squeegee Technique and Pressure Control

Develops consistent stroke angle, speed, and pressure for repeatable ink deposits. Operator technique is the primary variable in manual print consistency.

Lesson 4 • Quality Control and Defect Diagnosis

Establishes in-line and end-of-run inspection standards and a defect root-cause framework. Systematic QC reduces waste and customer returns.

Lesson 1 • Sublimation Printers and Ink Systems

Covers wide-format and desktop sublimation printer types, ink cartridge systems, and maintenance routines. Printer condition directly determines color consistency and output quality.

Lesson 2 • Polyester Substrates and Coated Hard Goods

Identifies compatible fabric blends, polymer-coated hard goods, and their minimum polyester content requirements. Substrate compatibility is the primary determinant of sublimation success.

Lesson 3 • Sublimation Paper Selection and Handling

Explains paper weight, coating type, and ink release properties for different applications. Paper choice affects transfer efficiency and final color saturation.

Lesson 1 • Hard Goods and All-Over Sublimation

Applies sublimation to mugs, tiles, phone cases, and all-over garment printing. Specialty applications expand product offerings and revenue streams.

Lesson 2 • Heat Press Time, Temperature, and Pressure

Defines optimal time, temperature, and pressure parameters for common substrate categories. Precise settings prevent ghosting, incomplete transfer, and substrate damage.

Lesson 3 • Troubleshooting Sublimation Defects

Diagnoses color shift, ghosting, bleed, and incomplete transfer using a systematic root-cause approach. Rapid defect resolution minimizes material waste and production downtime.

Lesson 4 • Color Management Workflow

Establishes a monitor-to-output color management system using ICC profiles and soft proofing. Controlled color management eliminates guesswork and reduces reprints.

Lesson 1 • Pricing Strategies and Job Costing

Covers material, labor, overhead, and markup calculations for accurate job pricing. Correct pricing ensures profitability without losing competitive bids.

Lesson 2 • Customer Communication and Artwork Approval

Defines professional communication standards from quote to delivery, including artwork approval protocols. Clear communication reduces disputes and builds repeat business.

Lesson 3 • Inventory and Supply Chain Management

Covers blank garment sourcing, ink and consumable inventory, and supplier relationship management. Reliable supply chains prevent production stoppages.

Lesson 4 • Quality Systems and Continuous Improvement

Introduces standard operating procedures, KPI tracking, and improvement cycles for shop operations. Systematic quality management scales production without sacrificing consistency.