Impressions - April 2018 - 41

Figure 4

ticularly those where the shirt color creates the value as the top
color fades out.
A simple test file with an underbase that fades out in swatches
with a top color overprinted in a variety of opacities should
indicate how much you can do with regard to a broken underbase and a top color that is semi-transparent. If the top color is
too broken up, then even a light underbase halftone may show
through in spots, making the print look grainy and ruining the
illusion of the print fading into the shirt.The halftone must be
completely covered with the top color without making the
transition look too harsh.The goal is to strike a balance that will
allow the underbase to support the top colors, yet remain hidden
while they fade into the garment.
A printed value chart is an essential tool that allows you to know
the best percentages for both the underbase and top color, and
will help when the files must be adjusted to avoid the underbase
spreading excessively (see Figure 5). Complex art may need the
highest level of editing; some solid areas of the underbase may need
stroking, and some areas that are light fades of color may have to
be isolated and selected separately.The Curves menu can be used
to scale back the fade so that the top color will flow smoothly
on top of it.
A design's halftones should use the same angle in all colors, or
else there may be frequency or pattern issues between underbase
and top-color prints. There are some exceptions to this rule if
someone has enough experience to do four-color process printing.
For most printers, however, using a standard angle and dpi for all
halftones provides the best option for contracting the underbase
without dots unexpectedly showing in the final print.
The best practice for avoiding embarrassing underbase malfunctions is to test your equipment so that you know how much of an
edit is needed, then trim the underbase or expand your top-color
separations where appropriate. In difficult cases, use curves and
selections combined to edit each area so you can get the most
color with the least underbase-exposure change. 
Thomas Trimingham has been helping screen printers for more than 25 years as
an industry consultant, freelance artist and high-end separator. He has worked
with companies from small, family owned shops to some of the world's largest
printers. Learn more about Thomas and screen-printing training at his website:

Figure 5

Need-To-KNow TermiNology
"Trapping" is a common term for expanding colors by a small margin
on their borders to sufficiently overlap adjacent colors so that the
underbase or shirt color doesn't show through any gaps. This term
also is sometimes used to describe the scenario when a top color
overprints an underbase and has been expanded to effectively "trap"
that underbase, so that some shift in printing dimension or registration
will not immediately show.
"Gutter" describes a thin line that is cut out of a solid underbase
where two colors meet. The gutter is a good practice in wet-on-wet
printing to allow the inks to spread. It helps to contain bleeding by
creating an edge where the inks stop.
"Skinny" is the process of slightly contracting the underbase around
the borders. It is done by adding a white stroke in Photoshop to the
underbase edges (or adding a thin white outline in CorelDRAW or
Illustrator to the white separation). In some designs, it is more beneficial to slightly shrink the underbase rather than expand the overprint.

screenprintingartist.com.
APRIL 2018

P.41


http://www.screenprintingartist.com

Impressions - April 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Impressions - April 2018

Impressions - April 2018
Contents
First Impressions
From the Show Director
Overheard
First Look
Scene at ISS
On Design
Changing Tides
Breakdown: Heat Transfers on a Hoodie
The Brand Boost
Pushing the Pedal in Purchasing
Shop Talk
Embroidery Production
Screen Printing Graphics & Design
Sublimation
Direct-To-Garment
Classifieds
Ad Index/Online Directory
Impressions - April 2018 - Intro
Impressions - April 2018 - CT1
Impressions - April 2018 - CT2
Impressions - April 2018 - Impressions - April 2018
Impressions - April 2018 - Cover2
Impressions - April 2018 - 1
Impressions - April 2018 - Contents
Impressions - April 2018 - 3
Impressions - April 2018 - 4
Impressions - April 2018 - 5
Impressions - April 2018 - First Impressions
Impressions - April 2018 - 7
Impressions - April 2018 - From the Show Director
Impressions - April 2018 - 9
Impressions - April 2018 - Overheard
Impressions - April 2018 - 11
Impressions - April 2018 - 12
Impressions - April 2018 - 13
Impressions - April 2018 - 13A
Impressions - April 2018 - 13B
Impressions - April 2018 - First Look
Impressions - April 2018 - 15
Impressions - April 2018 - Scene at ISS
Impressions - April 2018 - 17
Impressions - April 2018 - 18
Impressions - April 2018 - On Design
Impressions - April 2018 - Changing Tides
Impressions - April 2018 - 21
Impressions - April 2018 - 22
Impressions - April 2018 - 23
Impressions - April 2018 - Breakdown: Heat Transfers on a Hoodie
Impressions - April 2018 - 25
Impressions - April 2018 - The Brand Boost
Impressions - April 2018 - 27
Impressions - April 2018 - 28
Impressions - April 2018 - 29
Impressions - April 2018 - Pushing the Pedal in Purchasing
Impressions - April 2018 - 31
Impressions - April 2018 - 32
Impressions - April 2018 - 33
Impressions - April 2018 - Shop Talk
Impressions - April 2018 - 35
Impressions - April 2018 - Embroidery Production
Impressions - April 2018 - 37
Impressions - April 2018 - 38
Impressions - April 2018 - Screen Printing Graphics & Design
Impressions - April 2018 - 40
Impressions - April 2018 - 41
Impressions - April 2018 - Sublimation
Impressions - April 2018 - 43
Impressions - April 2018 - 44
Impressions - April 2018 - Direct-To-Garment
Impressions - April 2018 - 46
Impressions - April 2018 - 47
Impressions - April 2018 - 48
Impressions - April 2018 - Ad Index/Online Directory
Impressions - April 2018 - 50
Impressions - April 2018 - Cover3
Impressions - April 2018 - Cover4
Impressions - April 2018 - IH1
Impressions - April 2018 - IH2
Impressions - April 2018 - IH3
Impressions - April 2018 - IH4
Impressions - April 2018 - IH5
Impressions - April 2018 - IH6
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202404
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202403
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20240102
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202312
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20231011
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20230809
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20230506
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202304
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202303
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20230102
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202212
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20221011
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20220809
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20220506
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202204
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202203
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20220102
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202112
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20211011
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/DigitalDecorator_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/20210809
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/teamactivewear_2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202106
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/202105
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/impressions/imp_0421_digital
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20210102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_fall2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nxtbook_bhtest/impwessons
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2020fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20200607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2019fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20190607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamactive_2019spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/dd_2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2018fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2018spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2017fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20170607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2017spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2016fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20160607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2016spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2015fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20150607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2015summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201504
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201503
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2015spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201502
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201501
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201412
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201410
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201409
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201408
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2014fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/digitaldecorator_2014summer
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/20140607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/sportsfanretailer_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201404
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201403
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/teamspirit_2014spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/impressions/201402
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201401
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sportsfanretailer_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201312
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20131011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201309
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201308
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2013fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20130607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201303
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2013spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201302
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201301
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20121011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2012fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20120809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20120607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2012spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20111011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20110809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2011fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20110607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2011spring
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sourcebook2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20101112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20100910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2010fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20100708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2010winter
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_200909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_eco_2009fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_teamspirit_2009fall
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_20091112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_sourcebook_200906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/impressions_201001
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com