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CB
Chris BreazealeOwner, Buckets of Ink · Tempe, AZ
Every screen printing, DTF and embroidery guide on our site, in one place and sorted by the step you're on: art and film, screens and darkroom, inks, printing, curing, cleanup, DTF, embroidery, heat press, starting a business and buying equipment. Guides marked Fix are troubleshooting pages. Can't find it? Talk to a person.
Art & Film
- Screen Printing Film & Transparency Film
Inkjet and laser film for printing film positives. - Simulated Process Screen Printing: How It Works & What You Need
How sim process differs from spot color and 4-color process. - Screen Printing Registration: Marks, Setup & Multi-Color Printing
Registration marks, press setup and multi-color alignment. - Silk Screen Stencils: Types, Supplies & Which to Use
Photo emulsion, capillary film, vinyl and hand-cut stencils compared. - Screen Printing Sizes: Print Sizes, Screen & Frame Sizes
Standard print sizes, screen and frame sizes, and platen sizes. - Left Chest Logo Size & Placement Guide (Shirts, Polos, Hoodies)
Left chest logo size and placement for shirts, polos and hoodies. - Screen Printing Pantone Ink: 75+ Colors In Stock, Any PMS Color Custom Mixed
Matching Pantone (PMS) colors with screen printing ink.
Screens, Emulsion & Darkroom
Inks & Color
- Plastisol Ink for Screen Printing: Types, Cure Temps & How to Buy
Plastisol ink types, cure temperatures, mesh and cleanup. - Best Screen Printing Ink: Which Ink to Use for Each Job
Which ink to use for cotton, darks, polyester and special effects. - Best Screen Printing Ink for Polyester
Low-bleed inks that help stop dye migration on polyester. - What is the Best White Plastisol Ink?
Choosing a white plastisol ink for opacity. - Clear Screen Printing Ink: Gloss Gel & High-Density Clear
Clear gloss gel and high-density clear: printing and curing. - Glow in the Dark Screen Printing Ink: How to Print It Bright
Mesh, underbase, flash and cure tips for glow ink. - Metallic Screen Printing Ink: Gold, Silver & Lustre
Gold, silver and lustre inks: mesh and cure settings. - Water-Based vs Plastisol Ink: Which Should Your Shop Use?Ask Buckets
Our owner on feel, color and why plastisol is easier to run. - Does Plastisol Ink Expire? Shelf Life and Storage TipsAsk Buckets
Plastisol shelf life and how to store it.
On Press
- What Is Screen Printing? How Silk Screen Printing Works
How screen printing works, step by step. - How to Screen Print T-Shirts: Step-by-Step Printing Guide
Set up, register, flood, print, flash and cure T-shirts. - How to Screen Print at Home: Setup, Supplies & Tips
A home setup, supply list and safe curing. - How to Screen Print Hats (Caps) on a Manual Press
Cap pallets, mesh, flash and cure tips for hats. - T-Shirt Screen Printing: Equipment, Supplies & Process
The equipment, supplies and process for T-shirt printing. - Rear Clamp vs Side Clamp Screen Printing Press
Rear clamp vs side clamp press heads compared. - How to Set Up a Vastex V-2000HD Press
Leveling, off-contact, micro-registration and a first test print. - How Long Does Screen Printing Last? Prints, Screens & InkFix
Why prints crack or fade, and how long screens and ink last.
Curing
Cleanup & Chemicals
DTF
- What Is a DTF Transfer? How Direct-to-Film Transfers Work
How a direct-to-film transfer is made and applied. - What Does DTF Stand For? Direct to Film, Explained
What DTF stands for, in plain words. - What is the Direct-to-Film Technique?
Print, powder, cure and press: the DTF process. - What Do You Need to Start DTF Printing? (Checklist)
Checklist: printer, RIP, ink, film, powder, curing and press. - What Are the Components of a DTF System?
Each part of a DTF system and what it does. - What Is a DTF Printer? How It Works and What It Prints
What a DTF printer is and what it prints. - What Are the Key Advantages of DTF Printing?
No weeding or pretreatment, many fabrics, darks. - How to Make DTF Transfers: Step-by-Step (Shop or Home)
Design to pressed transfer, step by step. - How to Make a DTF Gang Sheet (and Save Film)
Sizing, spacing and nesting designs to save film. - How to Cure DTF Powder: Temperature, Time and Methods
Shaker, oven or hover method, and signs of a full cure. - How to Press DTF Transfers (Direct-to-Film)
Time, temperature, pressure and peel for DTF transfers. - How to Apply DTF Transfers to Hats
Hat press vs flat press, settings and curved crowns. - How to Wash DTF Shirts and Transfers
Wash and dry DTF shirts so transfers last. - How Long Do DTF Transfers Last?
DTF life on the shirt and on the shelf. - How Long Do DTF Transfers Last? A Shop Owner's AnswerAsk Buckets
A shop owner's answer on DTF durability. - What Fabrics Can You DTF Print On?
Fabrics that take DTF, with press tips for each. - Can You DTF on Polyester, Nylon or Leather? Press Settings from Our ShopAsk Buckets
Press settings for polyester, nylon and leather. - Do You Need DTF Powder for DTF Film? | Do You Need DTF Powder?
Why DTF powder is still used. - Hot Peel vs Cold Peel DTF Film: What’s the Difference?
When to peel, finish and which film to choose. - How to Store DTF Film, Powder and Printed Transfers
Keep film, powder and transfers flat, cool and dry. - DTF Transfer Size Chart: Sizes for Shirts, Hats, Sleeves & YouthChart / tool
Common DTF sizes for shirts, hats, sleeves and youth. - DTF Printing Cost CalculatorChart / tool
Estimate film, ink and powder cost per print. - DTF vs DTG: Which Garment Printing Method Is Right for You?
Fabrics, pretreatment, cost per print and durability compared. - DTF vs HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl): Which Is Better?
DTF vs heat transfer vinyl: weeding, feel and cost. - DTF vs Sublimation: Differences, Fabrics and Costs
Fabric limits, dark garments and cost compared. - UV DTF vs DTF: What’s the Difference?
Rub-on UV DTF stickers vs apparel DTF transfers. - DTF vs Screen Printing: Plastisol vs DTF Print Examples
DTF vs screen printing, with real print examples. - Epson i3200 vs XP600 Printheads for DTF
Two common DTF printheads compared. - Best DTF Ink for Professional Printers (2026 Guide)
What to look for in DTF ink. - Best DTF Powder – Professional Hot Melt Adhesive
Choosing hot-melt adhesive powder. - Best DTF Printer for Beginners
What to look for in a first DTF printer. - Best DTF Printer for Home Use
Small-format DTF printers for home use. - Best DTF Printer for Small Business
Production DTF printers for a small shop.
DTF Troubleshooting & Maintenance
- DTF Powder Not Sticking? Causes and FixesFix
Fix fast-drying ink, low ink load, humidity and static. - Why Are My DTF Transfers Cracking? (And How to Stop It)Fix
Under-cured powder, press settings and heavy white ink. - DTF Film Not Feeding or Jamming? Causes and FixesFix
Fix roll loading, tension, curled film and sensors. - DTF Printer Banding: Why Lines Appear and How to Fix ThemFix
Fix lines from clogged nozzles, feed calibration and head height. - How to Unclog a DTF Printer Head (Step by Step)Fix
Nozzle checks, cleaning cycles, capping and wiper care. - DTF White Ink
White ink opacity, circulation and clog prevention. - DTF Printer Maintenance Checklist: Daily, Weekly and Monthly
Daily, weekly and monthly DTF maintenance checklist. - DTF Printer Capping Station: Cleaning and Replacement Guide
Clean and replace the capping station. - DTF Printer Dampers: When and How to Replace and Prime Them
Replace and prime dampers without air bubbles. - When and How to Replace a DTF Printer Wiper Blade
When and how to swap a worn wiper blade. - DTF Printer Fumes and Ventilation: How to Keep Your Shop Safe
Where DTF fumes come from and how to ventilate. - DTF Printer Repair, Service and Parts — Tempe & Phoenix
Repair, service and parts for DTF printers.
Embroidery
- What Is Embroidery Digitizing? A Beginner’s Guide
How artwork becomes a stitch file. - How to Embroider Hats With a Machine: Step-by-Step
Cap frame vs flat hooping, backing and needles. - How to Make Embroidered Patches With an Embroidery Machine
Twill, satin borders, cutting and heat-seal backs. - Machine Embroidery Applique: Step-by-Step Guide
Placement line, tack-down, trimming and satin finish. - 3D Puff Embroidery: Foam, Digitizing, Hats & Clean-Up
Puff foam, digitizing for puff and clean-up. - Trucker Hat Embroidery: How to Embroider Mesh & Foam Trucker Caps
Mesh-back and foam-front trucker caps. - Embroidery Hat Hoop vs Cap Frame: Which One You Need
Flat hat hoops vs cap frames and drivers. - Happy Cap Frame Setup
Fit the cap driver and hoop caps on Happy machines. - Hoops for Happy Embroidery Machines
Hoops, fixtures and cap frames that fit Happy machines. - Magnetic Embroidery Hoops vs Traditional Hoops: Are They Worth It?
Magnetic hoops vs traditional hoops. - Embroidery Stabilizer & Backing
Cut-away, tear-away, wash-away, cap and foam backings. - What Stabilizer to Use for Machine Embroidery (Fabric-by-Fabric Chart)Chart / tool
Fabric-by-fabric stabilizer chart. - Cutaway vs Tearaway Stabilizer: Which Embroidery Backing to Use
Which backing to use for tees, polos, towels and hats. - Water Soluble Stabilizer for Machine Embroidery: Topping & Washaway
Topping and wash-away stabilizer. - Iron-On Backing for Embroidery: Fusible No-Show Cover Backing
Fusible no-show cover backing and how to apply it. - Machine Embroidery Needle Size Chart: Ballpoint vs SharpChart / tool
Needle sizes and points by fabric and thread. - Embroidery Tension Guide: How to Do the I-Test (H-Test)
Read the I-test and balance top and bobbin tension. - Embroidery Bobbin Thread Guide: Weight, Styles & Bobbin Showing on Top
Bobbin styles, weights and bobbin showing on top. - 40 wt vs 60 wt Embroidery Thread: When to Use Each
When to switch to 60 wt for fine detail. - Polyester vs Rayon Embroidery Thread: Which Is Better?
Sheen, strength and colorfastness compared. - Polyester or Rayon Embroidery Thread? A Shop Owner's TakeAsk Buckets
A shop owner's take on polyester vs rayon. - Best Embroidery Thread for Machine Embroidery
Thread types compared by job. - Metallic Thread Embroidery Tips: How to Sew Metallic Without Breaks
Needle, speed and tension settings for metallic thread. - Isacord Thread To Madeira Thread Conversion ChartsChart / tool
Convert other thread brands to Madeira colors. - How to Store and Organize Machine Embroidery Thread
Store and organize thread cones. - How to Thread a Happy Embroidery Machine
Step-by-step threading for Happy machines. - Happy Embroidery Machine Setup
Placement, power, leveling and first test sew. - Happy Embroidery Machine Maintenance
Oiling, cleaning and needle changes.
Embroidery Troubleshooting
Heat Press
Starting a Business
Equipment Buying
- Screen Printing Machine for Beginners: What to Buy First
What to buy first: press, flash, dryer, exposure. - Vastex V-1000 vs V-2000HD: Which Manual Press?
Two Vastex manual presses compared. - ROQ NEXT vs ROQ Oval Evolution
Round vs oval ROQ automatics compared. - What Comes With a ROQ Automatic Press (and What to Add)
What is included and what to add. - What to know before buying an embroidery machine?
Heads, needles, training and support. - Which Happy Embroidery Machine Should I Buy?
Pick a Happy machine by needles, field and output. - 10 Needle Embroidery Machine vs 12 and 15 Needles: How Many Do You Need?
10 vs 12 vs 15 needles: how many you need. - Embroidery Machine for Beginners: Commercial Machines That Are Easy to Learn
Commercial machines that are easy to learn. - Best Embroidery Machines for Business: How to Choose
How to choose an embroidery machine for business. - Embroidery Machine Cost: What You Pay and What Changes the Price
What drives the price of an embroidery machine. - Single-Needle vs Multi-Needle Embroidery Machine: Which Do You Need?
When a business should move to multi-needle. - Happy Voyager vs Journey
Two Happy single-heads compared. - Happy Japan vs Tajima Embroidery Machines
Happy Japan and Tajima compared. - Barudan vs Happy Embroidery Machines
Barudan and Happy compared. - 6 Needle Embroidery Machine vs the 7-Needle Happy Journey
6-needle machines vs the 7-needle Happy Journey. - What kind of machine is used for embroidery?
The machines shops use for embroidery. - Genuine Mimaki Ink vs Compatible Ink
Genuine vs compatible ink for Mimaki printers. - Mimaki Maintenance: Liquids, Wipers, Dampers and Daily Care
Maintenance liquids, wipers, caps and dampers. - Mimaki Test Print Problems: Causes and FixesFix
Missing nozzles, bent lines and banding fixes.
Talk to a person
Call 480-229-7806 · Live answer Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM Arizona time.
Tempe showroom: 906 S Priest Dr, Suite 101, Tempe, AZ 85281 · Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM Arizona time. Closed weekends.
Or send us a message. Have a question you don't see here? Ask Buckets has straight answers from our shop.
Help Center FAQ
Where do I find screen printing troubleshooting help?
Start with the group for the step you are on: Screens, Emulsion & Darkroom for stencil and exposure problems, Curing for prints that crack or wash out, and Cleanup & Chemicals for ghost images and haze. Guides marked "Fix" are troubleshooting pages.
Do you have DTF and embroidery guides too?
Yes. The DTF and DTF Troubleshooting & Maintenance groups cover the process, press settings, printer care and common problems. The Embroidery and Embroidery Troubleshooting groups cover hooping, backing, thread, tension, thread breaks, bird nesting and puckering.
Can I talk to a person about my problem?
Yes. Call 480-229-7806, Monday to Friday 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM Arizona time, or send a message through our contact page.
Where is the Buckets of Ink showroom?
Our showroom is at 906 S Priest Dr, Suite 101, Tempe, AZ 85281, open Monday to Friday 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM Arizona time. Call ahead and most in-stock supply orders are ready for same-day pickup.
How do I choose between screen printing, DTF and embroidery?
Read Embroidery vs Screen Printing vs DTF in the Starting a Business group. It compares cost, durability, look, minimums and the best garments for each method.
