THE JOURNEY

The journey from idea to shirt is actually a very detailed one. But we will make it easy. We start with the customers idea (that’s where you and your imagination come in) next we move to the art dept. who takes your idea and starts shaping it into the final design that can be put to screen and actually printed. The following is e-mail we received as instruction for art that needed to be created.

1st CONTACT FROM THE CUSTOMER

To refresh your memory....I run a web site for San Jose State sports (spartafans.com). I want to design and market T-shirts from my site. What I have in mind is developing a character (rugged looking, square jawed spartan-helmeted guy) that can be used during the different sports seasons. For example, during baseball season he could be swatting a ball with a sword, during football season he could be running with the ball, basketball dribbling down court, etc. I know that this is a tall order, to help me create a character and then incorporate him in different T-shirt designs. Is this something that you can do? I am particularly interested in getting a design for baseball as the Spartans are currently playing in the College World Series and I can see some quick sales developing from their success. Please let me know if this is something that Triple J can do. I will attempt to call you again tomorrow to further discuss this.

AND SO IT BEGINS

From this point we contacted the customer to secure the order and get a verbal idea of what the customers expectations were. We then write the work order and the art instruction sheet.

NOW WE START THE ART PROCESS

Now that we have a really good idea of the way the art is supposed to look we turn the art dept. loose on the project. After getting some ideas together, Mike (one of the talented members of our art staff) e-mailed the customer with some ideas. 

After a couple of changes the customer picked this

MOVING RIGHT ALONG

After the art has been approved. We need to output the film that we use to make the screens. the One Time film fees are $12 each 

Just to give you an idea of what we are saving you, take a look at these prices taken from another film output business

THESE PRICES WERE ACTUALLY A QUOTE FROM A FILM OUTPUT SITE

Again, Triple J only charges $12 each

PLAYING IN THE DARK

All of the art is then pre-registered and checked for detail and quality. 

Once the art is completely approved in-house we send the job to our screen dept. The first step in the art dept. is to coat the screens with a photosensitive emulsion.

After the screen dries it is placed on the vacuum light table and exposed with a 3000 watt metal halide light.

The vacuum frame insures that the art is an exact reproduction.

SLIPPERY WHEN WET

After being exposed the screens are then washed out with a pressure washer at around 1300 psi. Once the image is washed out it is double checked with the films for accuracy.

Now each screen gets hand painted with block-out to fix any imperfections on the actual screen screen.

Each screen is now taped off and ready for setup

IMPORTANT the art is now set up and sample printed for your customer service person to actually approve before production. Triple J is watching your project right up to the point it’s put on the truck for shipping.

Final print after your customer service rep approves the art.

There you have it. Most companies charge much more for this process. Triple J is truly in the business of saving you money. It is rare in this day and age to actually get great quality and a decent price.

No Strings, No Gimmicks, No Kidding