PROFIL
EI got into screen printing by accident. I
wanted to make a custom T-shirt for a
friend’s birthday through one of those online
custom printing websites. After uploading my
design, it was rejected because there was a
trademark on one of the words. Just like in web
development when I can’t find a ready-made
solution to my problem, I decided to do something
about it and find my own solution.
In high school I had done some screen printing
while in art class and remembered it being a
simple process. I found a starter kit on Amazon
and ordered it. I watched the three-hour DVD that
came with the kit and, while a little intimidated,
decided to give it a shot.
It wasn’t long after that I started making shirts
and hoodies for myself and friends. I began to
read blogs about screen printing and watch
YouTube videos on different types of prints. When
I decided to get serious about making nicer prints
for myself and my business, I bought a four-colour
printing press that enables me to make more
complex and colourful designs.
I soon discovered there are two main types of
ink to use: plastisol and water-based. Then there
are multiple processes that can be used to get the
ink onto the shirt itself. The way to print a softshirt is to use a discharge screen-printing process
where the ink actually changes the colour of the
shirt’s fibres. When getting this deep into screen
printing, chemistry even comes into play –
something I never thought I’d be using again.
Just like web development, I get great
satisfaction from seeing the results of my hard
work. Screen printing is a nice break as it offers a
way to work with my hands and actually make
something tangible that everyone can see.
There are so many small details involved when
trying to make a perfect print that experience
really plays a part in how well your design comes
out. The entire process can be quite laborious but
the payoff when gifting someone a handmade
design is truly rewarding. In a funny way, screen
printing made me realise I am perfectly justified in
the rates I charge as a web developer because of
the experience I bring to the table, just like the
experience I have gained from the trial and error
of making great prints.SCREEN PRINTING
Erick Arbe got his start in screen printing when a
trademark got in his wayBEYOND PIXELSArbe is a full-stack developer,
entrepreneur and podcaster in
Greenville, South Carolina.
t: @erickarbeFEED
Beyond pixels
STUFF I LIKE
JUSTINE POCOCK
Head of design
http://www.codeenigma.com
@wigglykoalaCODEPEN PROJECT
I’ve found that I’ve been using
CodePen for quite a while
now to just quickly test out a
bit of code before really
committing to a design idea.
CodePen Projects and the
available templates make this
whole process so much easier
for the user.
https://codepen.io/project/
editorFUNKIFY
Funkify is a Chrome extension
that puts you in the shoes of
users with different abilities
and enables you to experience
the web as they would. I’m a
keen advocate for better web
accessibility and inclusive
design but this was a real
eye-opener for me, Trembling
Trevor especially.
https://www.funkify.org/ROTRING
RAPIDOGRAPH PEN
I stopped jumping into Sketch
to start a project when I
found an old Rotring pen in
my dad’s desk drawer. I’ve
known for a long time that I
should be using paper and
pen more and this made all
the difference!
https://netm.ag/2TibhQH