Letterpress and Screen Printing Services Education and Training

Perfect the craft of letterpress and screen printing services

Silk screen printing is a centuries-old art form that has become extremely popular in recent decades, specifically in the form of t-shirts, sweatshirts and other garments. Many screen printing companies have expanded to include letterpress services too, another old craft that has had a resurgence in the last decade. This is a technique often found in the form of letterpress business cards and invitations.

Take advantage of letterpress and screen printing services education and training opportunities and stay competitive in a growing and dynamic market by doing the following:

1. Train new employees in the art of screen and letterpress printing services.

2. Expand your existing business to include letterpress printing or screen printing service.

3. Hone your skills and stay on top of industry trends and technological advances through letterpress and screen printing services education and training.

 

Use online screen and letterpress printing resources

There are many reliable online resources for learning the basics of screen printing and letterpress printing. Both techniques require hands-on learning to perfect the craft, but these are great places to start when learning for the first time or training a new employee.
Try: Instructables provides an illustrated guide on how to build a letterpress and use one. When just starting out with letterpress printing, it might be a good idea to build one to practice on. Expert Village offers a free online video tutorial series on how to screen print.

Join letterpress and screen printing associations

Becoming a member of associations will keep you abreast of industry news and trends, allow you to view other artists' work, attend expos and tradeshows, find tips and articles on running a successful business and much more. There is usually a membership fee to join associations, but the access to insider education and resources will be well worth it.
Try: Two top associations to join for screen printing are Specialty Graphic Imaging Association and the National Association of Quick Printers. Membership to the College and University Letterpress Printers Association is free, but application is required.

Take a letterpress or screen printing class

Taking a class to learn the craft is invaluable since hands-on instruction is the best. Most classes provide top-of-the-line industrial equipment to use, with supplies usually included in the registration fee.
Try: Find a list of hands-on screen printing classes at Screenprinters.net. Look through class listings and sign up online at Silk Screening Supplies.com. Letterpress printing classes are harder to find, but are growing in popularity. A comprehensive list of letterpress educational opportunities and classes is provided by Book Arts Web.

 

• When purchasing screen printing and letterpress printing equipment, make sure the equipment comes with tutorials and instructional books that demonstrate how to use the specific equipment.
• If learning letterpress or screen printing as a new art form, start simple with single color and simple handmade or single presses.

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