This is a repost of an article and video we did for our friends at Impressions. See the original article here. 

Quick Response codes, or QR codes, have evolved as a popular and efficient way for businesses to interact with customers. Learn how simple they are to include in your promotional strategy. They are easy to create and perfect for screen printing.

How does a QR code work? This type of code is a black and white image with an encoded URL that acts as a barcode. These barcodes can be scanned and read by mobile devices (smart phones) and provide instant information — usually promotional in nature.

Creating a QR Code
Generating a QR code is simple and can be accomplished in the following easy steps:

• Do a simple Google search for “QR code generator” and select one of the many sites available for creating QR codes. Most sites have a short, step-by-step process that you can follow.

• You will be prompted to enter the URL that you want associated with your QR code.

• Download the code image.

• Vectorize the code image in a program such as Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW. This sharpens the image, ensuring proper size and quality for your print.

• QR codes are great for the front image on a garment. They also are perfect to use for product details on tags or on the inside of garments.

Printing the QR Code
Print the QR code to a screen as you would any other image. Print the QR code image onto garments or promotional material. Be sure to use ink with a matte finish, as QR codes do not print well with reflective inks. Remember, there’s nothing wrong with getting creative and having fun with these easy-to-print, yet highly useful codes.

To view the complete Tip Sheet and video on creating unique discharged foil prints, download the PDF here.

By Dan Corcoran, Contributing Writer

Discharge ink and foil are two of the hottest trends in screen printing. Soft prints are in demand, and foil is valued in many markets, including fashion boutiques and skateboard shops.One of the key factors in perfecting the technique for combining foil and discharge ink is the garment itself. In this detailed Tech Tips newsletter, Dan Corcoran of Forward Printing, Oakland Calif., walks you through a step-by-step process of printing a mixed-media design on Fruit of the Loom’s® style DA2727 garment-dyed T-shirt, which is made of 100% cotton and reacts well to the discharge inks across all color ways.

To view the complete Tip Sheet and video on creating unique discharge foil prints, click here.

via Impression Tech Tips.

Ryonet / Silkscreensupplies.com is excited to announce out newest product: Bling !t Rhinestone Design System.

Our clients have asked us to develop a solution for the creation of custom rhinestone transfers. As we began to research the process we discovered some ugly problems–which made us more intent of delivering a better solution.

Here is what we found with the current rhinestone options:

1. Stock rhinestone stone transfers are too generic…our clients want to personalize and customize
2. Rhinestone setting machines are way too expensive and slow
3. Other rhinestone systems are too expensive, too complicated, incomplete, or require the purchase of some proprietary equipment. Yuck.

 Our response: ‘Let’s make an easy, affordable and complete kit’. Good news! We’ve delivered. See for yourself.

Want to learn more? We develop a special web site for this solution. Go to blingitbiz.com now…click HERE