Looking to make your disc golf discs stand out on the course? Screen printing your own designs onto your discs is a great way to add a personal touch to your game. While it may seem daunting at first, with the right materials and some practice, you can create professional-looking designs on your discs.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to screen print your own disc golf discs. From gathering materials and creating your design, to preparing your screen and printing your discs, we’ve got you covered.
Whether you’re a seasoned disc golfer or just starting out, learning how to screen print your own discs is a fun and rewarding project. So, let’s get started!
Get ready to take your disc golf game to the next level with custom screen printed discs. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn everything you need to know and create professional-looking designs that will make your discs stand out on the course.
Table of Contents
Gather Your Materials
To screen print on a disc golf disc, you’ll need to gather a few materials beforehand. The first thing you’ll need is a disc golf disc. You can purchase blank discs online, at sporting goods stores, or at disc golf courses. Next, you’ll need to choose your design and create it on a transparency or clear film. Other necessary materials include screen printing ink, a squeegee, a screen printing frame, and a burning light.
When it comes to choosing a screen printing ink, it’s important to select one that is formulated to work with plastic surfaces. There are several inks available that will work well on disc golf discs, including Permaset Aqua, Speedball Fabric Ink, and Jacquard Professional Screen Printing Ink. For your screen printing frame, you can purchase a pre-made one or create your own using wood and screen mesh.
Before you start printing, you’ll need to expose your design onto the screen mesh using a burning light. This will create a stencil of your design that will allow ink to pass through onto the disc. When exposing your design, make sure to use a dark room or screen printing exposure unit. It’s also essential to wear gloves and protective eyewear to avoid contact with the chemicals used in the screen printing process.
Finally, make sure to clean your disc thoroughly before printing. Any oils or debris on the disc’s surface can interfere with the ink adhering properly. To clean the disc, use a cloth and rubbing alcohol or a gentle soap and water solution. After cleaning, let the disc dry completely before printing.
Choose the Right Discs and Ink
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Disc Selection: Choose a high-quality disc golf disc made of plastic or rubber. Make sure it has a smooth, flat surface for printing.
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Ink Selection: Use ink that is specifically designed for screen printing on plastic. Water-based or solvent-based inks work well, but avoid oil-based inks as they won’t stick to the plastic surface.
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Color Selection: Consider the color of the disc and the ink. Light ink colors work best on dark discs, and dark ink colors work best on light discs. Use contrasting colors for maximum visibility.
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Quantity Selection: Decide how many discs you want to print and purchase enough discs and ink for your project. It’s always a good idea to have extra materials on hand.
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Budget Selection: Keep in mind that higher quality discs and ink can be more expensive, but they will produce better results and last longer. Determine your budget and purchase materials accordingly.
By choosing the right discs and ink, you can ensure that your screen printing project will turn out beautifully. Take the time to carefully select the materials that best fit your needs and budget.
Create Your Design
Choose your design software: There are a lot of options out there for designing your disc golf discs, from free online tools to professional software like Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW. Pick a program that works for your skill level and budget.
Create your design: Once you have your software, it’s time to start designing. Keep in mind the size and shape of your discs and the printing limitations of screen printing. You want to create a design that looks great on the disc and can be printed easily.
Consider the colors: With screen printing, each color is printed separately, so keep that in mind when designing. Think about how many colors you want to use and how they will look when printed together. Remember that less can be more.
Check your design: Before printing, make sure to check your design for errors or imperfections. One small mistake can ruin a whole batch of discs, so take your time and double-check everything.
Prepare your design for printing: Once your design is ready, you need to prepare it for screen printing. This involves separating the colors and creating the stencils for each color. If you’re not sure how to do this, there are plenty of online resources and tutorials to help you out.
Design Considerations for Disc Printing
- Contrast: Choose colors that have enough contrast to ensure the design will be visible on the disc.
- Simplicity: Keep your design simple, as intricate details may not show up well on the final product.
- Balance: Ensure that your design is balanced and evenly distributed on the disc for a professional look.
- Spacing: Pay attention to the spacing between elements in your design to avoid crowding or overlap.
- Consider the Disc: Take into account the shape and curvature of the disc when creating your design to ensure it will fit well.
Keep in mind that the final product will be relatively small, so intricate details may not show up as well as you would like. It’s also important to avoid copyrighted designs or images, as this could result in legal issues.
How to Transfer Your Design to the Screen
Once you have your design, you need to transfer it onto your screen. Here’s how:
- Step 1: Print your design onto a transparency using a laser printer.
- Step 2: Place the transparency onto the screen and secure it with tape.
- Step 3: Turn on a bright light and place the screen on top of it, with the transparency facing down.
- Step 4: Wait a few minutes for the light to transfer the design onto the screen.
- Step 5: Remove the transparency and rinse the screen with water to reveal your design.
Make sure to use a light-resistant emulsion and a dark room or light safe environment for this process. Once you’ve transferred your design, you’re ready to move on to the next step.
Prepare Your Screen
Clean the screen: Use a degreaser to remove any oil or dirt from the screen. This will ensure that the emulsion adheres to the screen properly.
Apply emulsion: Emulsion is a light-sensitive coating that will harden when exposed to light. Apply the emulsion to the screen, making sure that it’s evenly distributed. Let the emulsion dry in a light-safe environment.
Create a stencil: Once the emulsion has dried, place your design onto the screen and expose it to light. The light will harden the emulsion, except for where your design is placed. Rinse the screen with water to remove the unhardened emulsion, leaving your design as a stencil on the screen.
Tape the edges: Use tape to cover the edges of the screen, creating a border. This will prevent ink from leaking out of the sides of the screen when you’re printing.
Test the screen: Before printing on your discs, test the screen on a piece of paper or a scrap disc. This will help you ensure that your stencil is intact and that your ink is mixed properly.
Coating the Screen with Emulsion
Step 1: Clean your screen with degreaser and water, then let it dry completely.
Step 2: Place the screen on a flat surface with the print side facing up.
Step 3: Pour a generous amount of emulsion onto the screen, near the top of the print area.
Step 4: | Step 5: | Step 6: |
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Using a scoop coater, spread the emulsion evenly over the print area in one stroke, pulling it towards you. | Turn the screen over and coat the backside of the screen with emulsion. This will help prevent ink from bleeding through the mesh. | Place the screen in a dark room or box to dry completely. This can take a few hours or overnight depending on the humidity and temperature. |
Note: Once the emulsion is dry, the screen is light sensitive, so handle it carefully and avoid exposing it to bright light before you’re ready to transfer your design onto the screen.
Mix Your Ink and Test Print
Mix Your Ink: Before you start printing your final design, you will need to mix your ink to get the desired color. Use a spatula to mix the ink thoroughly until it has a smooth consistency. If the ink is too thick, add a small amount of water and mix again. If the ink is too thin, add a small amount of thickener and mix again.
Test Print: Once you have mixed your ink, it’s important to do a test print on scrap paper or fabric to ensure the color is correct and the ink is evenly distributed. Adjust the ink as needed until you get the desired results.
Prepare for Printing: Once you are satisfied with the ink color and consistency, it’s time to prepare for printing. Place the disc on the printing board and position the screen on top of it, making sure that the design is properly aligned. Then, apply a bead of ink along the top edge of the screen and use a squeegee to evenly distribute the ink over the design.
How to Mix Your Ink for Screen Printing Discs
When it comes to screen printing discs, you need to use ink specifically formulated for plastic. Follow these steps to mix your ink:Step 1: Choose your ink color and add it to your mixing container. Be sure to stir the ink well before use.
Step 2: Add a small amount of curable reducer to the ink to thin it out to the desired consistency. Test print the ink to ensure that it is thin enough to spread smoothly across the disc.
Step 3: Add a small amount of curable hardener to the ink to make it durable enough to withstand regular use. Make sure to mix the hardener thoroughly into the ink.
Remember to keep track of your ink mixture ratios so that you can recreate the same color and consistency for future prints.How to Test Print Your Design on a Disc
Before printing your final design on a stack of discs, it’s important to do a test print on a single disc. This allows you to ensure that your design is properly aligned and that the ink is being applied evenly.
Start by placing a single disc on the printing platen and securing it in place. Use a small amount of ink and spread it evenly on the squeegee side of the screen. Lower the screen onto the disc and apply even pressure while dragging the ink across the design with the squeegee.
Once the ink has been applied, carefully lift the screen to reveal your test print. Check for any smudging or areas where the ink may have pooled. Make any necessary adjustments to your design or ink application before moving on to the final printing process.
Print Your Discs
Step 1: Set Up Your Screen
Before you start printing your discs, ensure that your screen is set up correctly. Make sure the screen is aligned properly, and the ink is evenly spread. Double-check that the discs are in the right position on the printing surface.Step 2: Start Printing
Once you have everything set up, it’s time to start printing. Start with a test print and make sure everything is lined up and working correctly. Then, start printing your discs one at a time. Make sure to apply the right amount of pressure and speed to get the best results.Step 3: Allow the Ink to Dry
Once you’ve printed all of your discs, let them dry completely. This is important to prevent any smudging or smearing of the design. It’s best to let them dry for at least 24 hours before handling them.Step 4: Cure the Ink
Curing the ink helps to make it more durable and long-lasting. Depending on the type of ink you’re using, you may need to heat cure it. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results.By following these steps, you can ensure that your screen printed discs come out looking great and are long-lasting.How to Align Your Discs for Printing
Proper alignment of your discs on the printing press is crucial for accurate and consistent printing. Before placing your discs on the press, ensure that the press is level and stable to prevent any movement during printing.
Use a centering tool or template to mark the center of your disc and align it with the center of the press. Adjust the printing arm and platen to ensure the print head is correctly aligned with the disc’s center.
Test print on a scrap disc before printing on the final product. This step allows you to check alignment and make any necessary adjustments before printing the full run. Repeat the process for each color used in your design.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is screen printing?
Screen printing is a printing technique that uses a stencil or mesh to transfer ink onto a surface. In disc golf, screen printing is used to customize and add design to the discs.
What materials do I need for screen printing disc golf discs?
You will need a screen, squeegee, ink, emulsion, a light source, a disc golf disc, and a surface to print on. It is also recommended to have a mixing container, a scale, and a measuring device to mix the ink.
How do I prepare my design for screen printing?
You can create your design using software such as Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. It is important to ensure your design is the correct size and resolution for the screen and disc. You can then print your design onto a transparency and use it to create a stencil for the screen.
How do I transfer my design to the screen?
You can transfer your design to the screen by coating it with emulsion and exposing it to light using a light source. The emulsion will harden where the light hits it, creating a stencil of your design. You can then wash away the emulsion to create open areas where the ink can pass through and print onto the disc.
What is the process for printing on a disc?
You can place the disc on a surface and use a squeegee to push the ink through the stencil and onto the disc. It is important to align the stencil correctly with the disc and to apply even pressure with the squeegee. You may need to print multiple layers of ink to achieve the desired opacity and vibrancy.
How do I care for my screen and equipment after printing?
You should wash the screen and squeegee with water immediately after printing to prevent the ink from drying and clogging the mesh. You should also store your ink and emulsion in a cool, dry place and avoid exposing them to direct sunlight. Clean your workspace and tools thoroughly to prevent contamination and ensure longevity of your equipment.