What should be a printer’s first consideration when an inquiry for a job comes through the shop?

When a printer is presented with an inquiry for a job, the first consideration should be the fabric composition on which it will be printed. The fabric will play the most significant role in the decision process regarding ink, the art style, and, ultimately, the screen mesh.

For instance, a 100% cotton fabric only requires a basic plastisol base, and no bleed resistance or special meshes. Cotton usually poses the least resistance to high mesh, halftone or detailed art, and parameter changes on-press whereas polyester and polyester blends demand a bleed-resistant ink. This difference sends the decision-making process for art and screens in a different direction. The art may need to be less detailed so it can translate better onto a lower mesh and additional flashing on press may be in order.

—PolyOne