AP01 – From Artwork to Print: Preparing Designs for DTF & Screen Printing

Great artwork doesn't always mean print-ready artwork! Join Carly Gully of GraphXSource to learn how to clean up, optimize, and prepare designs for both screen printing and DTF transfers. Explore vector vs. raster files, transparent backgrounds, basic color separations, and the common mistakes that cause production headaches. Then see the same 50th Anniversary artwork come to life in the following hands-on production class and at the Ryonet Booth in ROQ Atrium #2701.

Who Should Come

Graphic designers, screen printers, DTF decorators, shop owners, production teams, and anyone responsible for preparing customer artwork.

Ideal for beginners learning prepress fundamentals and experienced decorators looking to improve artwork workflows and reduce production mistakes.

What They Will Learn

• Artwork Cleanup: Learn how to work with low-quality customer files, remove backgrounds, and fix common design problems.
• Vector vs. Raster: Understand file types, resolution, transparency, and when each format works best.
• Optimizing Artwork for Production: Prepare designs for different decoration methods while maintaining important details and print quality.
• Basic Color Separations: Learn the fundamentals of separating colors for screen printing and what to consider before making screens.
• Screen Printing vs. DTF Artwork: Discover how artwork requirements differ and why the same design may need different preparation for each method.
• Production-Ready Files: Understand file setup, sizing, colors, backgrounds, and the final checks that prevent costly mistakes.
• Better Prepress Workflows: Explore practical techniques and tools to make artwork preparation faster, more consistent, and easier for production teams.

Ready to turn artwork into finished apparel? Join Ryan Moor, Heather Jones, and the Ryonet team for a hands-on introduction to screen printing and DTF heat transfers. Follow the same design through both production methods, learning how to prepare, stage, align, print, and maintain quality while avoiding costly mistakes. Then see both processes in action and get more hands-on experience at the Ryonet Booth in the ROQ Atrium #2701.

Who Should Come

Beginners, aspiring apparel decorators, new print shop owners, and anyone exploring screen printing or DTF transfers. Also ideal for existing businesses considering adding a new decoration method or training team members on production fundamentals.

No prior printing experience required.

What They Will Learn

• Screen Printing Fundamentals: Learn the basics of screens, inks, press setup, registration, printing, and curing.
• DTF Transfer Fundamentals: Explore how DTF transfers work, including transfer preparation, heat press settings, positioning, pressing, and peeling.
• Staging, Alignment & Workflow: Learn how to organize garments, position designs consistently, set up workstations, and create a repeatable production process.
• Quality Control & Troubleshooting: Discover how to avoid common mistakes, including crooked prints, poor adhesion, registration problems, inconsistent prints, and improper curing.
• Screen Printing vs. DTF: Compare the advantages, limitations, costs, and ideal applications of each method using the same artwork.
• Hands-On Production: Get experience operating both screen printing presses and heat presses to understand how each process works.

Water-based ink can produce some of the softest, most impressive prints in the industry, but it's not always the right choice. Join Daniel Bush and John Magee for a practical look at when to use water-based inks, when to choose something else, and how to get consistent results. Explore artwork, garments, ink selection, mixing, screen setup, and curing before heading to ROQ Atrium Booth #2701 immediately after class for a limited live shirt-printing experience using the artwork and techniques covered in the session.

Who Should Come

Screen printers, shop owners, production managers, and decorators interested in learning or improving water-based printing. Ideal for beginners exploring water-based inks and experienced printers looking to improve consistency, troubleshoot problems, or expand their decoration capabilities.

What They Will Learn

• When to Use Water-Based Ink: Understand which designs, garments, order types, and customer expectations make water-based printing the right choice.
• When Water-Based Doesn't Work: Recognize limitations involving fabric compatibility, opacity, production conditions, curing, and cost, and when another ink system may be better.
• Artwork & Print Theory: Learn how separations, mesh, stencil, underbases, and print sequence affect water-based results.
• Choosing the Right Ink System: Compare traditional water-based, discharge, high-solids acrylic, and hybrid approaches.
• Ink Mixing & Preparation: Understand pigments, additives, viscosity, and mixing practices that improve color consistency and production reliability.
• Press Setup & Production: Explore screen setup, ink management, workflow, and techniques for avoiding drying in the screen and other common problems.
• Curing & Quality Control: Learn how to achieve proper curing, maintain a soft hand, and troubleshoot common print failures.