It’s Amber here again, filling in while Anne-Marie is globe trotting. Checkout the new little clock widget I found to show us what time it is in Saudi Arabia (over on the right).
As I mentioned yesterday, we recently purchased a Yudu screen-printing system here at Bramble Berry. So I thought it would be fun to share my experience printing with it. If you are looking for a way to make your tags and labels for your soap and other products stand-out, I think screenprinting is a great way to do it.
The benefits of screenprinting are that it is inexpensive after you have purchased your equipment (and even that can be pretty cheap), you can print on a variety of surfaces (fabric, paper, etc) and aren’t limited by what can go through a copy machine. The downside is that it’s pretty labor intensive, but if you have the time, it’s the cool way to go!
You can find basic instructions for the Yudu here. In addition to the Yudu system, you will need a deep utility sink with a sprayer attachment (or you can use a garden hose outside or go to a car wash and use their pressure washer) and somewhere to hang or lay your pieces while they dry.
Here, I am working on the Soap Queen aprons and T-shirts. First I’m rinsing out the emulsion in the sink, next I’m printing the first color (the yellow hair) and finally I’m showing Anne-Marie how it will look when I get the next screen printed over the top. It’s a multi-step process that would be a huge blog post on it’s own. But if anyone is interested in a step-by-step Yudu tutorial, just let me know.
Here’s a great video tutorial I found that you might try if you aren’t sure if screen printing is for you. The technique uses supplies you probably have on hand.
And to close, I’ll leave you with a few inspiring screen printed cards from Etsy. Can you just imaging what cute tags or wrappers you could make for soap with this technique?
The first example is from JPress Designs, the center example is by magicjelly, and the adorably leggy package is by Reuse First.
I'm such a dork! $1.30 per item for a "short run / customized" screenptrint is VERY affordable, even adding time and materials.
(By the way, my bulk shirts with 2-sided print are ordered in quantities of 500 of all the same design/style. Definately not customizable by the piece.)
I've read a TON on reviews on the YUDU, but I respect and know that you are giving honest feedback. I'm absolutely going to order one… As soon as I can find someone who has it in stock!
Thanks AM and Amber. You ladies are awesome!
~~~Anne
Anne – Anne-Marie is right. So it breaks down to about $1.30 per item. Sorry that wasn't more clear. But $6 is cheap! You can't beat that!
It's $13 to print *ten* items without the cost of your labor or the machine amortized in. I think that's pretty affordable?
Amber~ Thanks so much for the VERY detailed information. It is exactly what I was looking for! Though $13.00 seems steep for a printed item (I pay about $6.00 for bulk 1-color front/back printed shirts) It really is a good deal in that everything is so customizable and I can print small quantities. I'm really looking forward to seeing the finished Soap Queen aprons, as well as all the other projects you will do with the YuDu. I'll be ordering mine soon!
~~~Anne
Anne – O.K. here's my attempt at a break down. Time wise it takes me about 30 minutes to coat a screen, 30 minutes to expose and wash out a screen, and 1 hour to print 10 to 20 items. So for my 2 color project double that – and know that in between the steps are a few hours of drying time.
Cost wise, the emulsion is about $16 for two 14"x11" sheets and I used about half of one sheet for my project. The ink is about $6 or $7 for one 3 oz. bottle. Printing on fabric really soaks up the ink. So, I'd estimate I used half a bottle of ink for the ten items I printed. And then the only other 'consummable' is emulsion remover which is about $12 for one bottle and it takes me about 1/4 of a bottle to get the screen totally clean. So I estimate the cost of printing 10 items (not counting the price of the aprons and T-shirts and equipment) to be $13 and to took me about 4 hours.
Phew! that was a long one!
Amber, I love the clock for Anne Marie's time! And I have a Yudu – now I just need to use it! hahahah
I've had my eye on that YUDU! Someday…
How cool is this??? I'd love to know the cost breakdown (and time spent) on what it takes to print an apron. The cost of the apron is not a factor, nor is the cost of the machine. I am looking at this as a way of printing 10 or so shirts at a time as student awards for reaching annual goals.
Thanks for keeping things going while AM is away 🙂
Blessings~
~~~Anne