Rocket Science Screenprinting : T-Shirts + Ink + Your Great Idea = Cool Stuff !

Rocket Science Screenprinting offers full-service graphic design options and collaboration that help you get exactly the look that you want. Besides high quality screenprinting and apparel, nice artwork and design is what's going to determine whether people wear your shirt or whether it goes out in the next bag to Goodwill. That's why we are happy to work with you, picking up the artwork preparation at any stage, so that we help make your shirts look the best they can possibly be.

NEW FOR 2012 : YOU CAN DESIGN YOUR T-SHIRTS ONLINE !!

CUSTOMIZE T-SHIRTS WITH YOUR OWN DESIGN
TEST DRIVE YOUR ARTWORK ON EVERY ITEM IN OUR CATALOGUE

Press Parameters
We can print up to 4 spot colors per side. And hand mix any color of custom ink at no additional charge. Maximum print size is usually around 18" vertical and 14" horizontal. Minimum is, well . . . really small.

Submitting Electronic Files
The most important principle for digital art is that we receive a file that allows us to output high resolution color separations. For instance, if we were to print an American flag, we would need to create 3 separate plates. One for just the red stripes, one for just the blue field minus the stars, and one just for the white stripes and stars. If you are unsure whether or not this is possible, just let us know and we will be happy to walk you through it.

Receiving original program files (ie Illustrator, Photoshop) allows us more flexibility should we need to tweak the files to make them press-ready. Otherwise, we should be able to translate most standard file exchange types. Usually, we just say 'send whatcha got', and go from there. If we can't work with it or if we have doubts about the final print quality, we'll let you know. (Please note that we are a Mac based shop, so some Windows files won't talk to us.)

A Few Please Do's For Submitting Files:

Send everything over in one nice bundle, rather than piecemeal emails. It gets confusing otherwise.

Convert all fonts to outlines or include a copy of your fonts with the file.

Save any Adobe CS files as version CS2.

Either size the images the same size that you want them printed, or specify the print size in the file. (In any way that will be clear to us.)

Include copies all supporting files. (For instance, we may not have the same clip art installed in our system that you have in yours.)

Please have a little Plan B tucked away. Just in case your original files can't be reproduced as hoped for.

And A Few Please Don'ts For Submitting Files:

Avoid low rez jpegs (don't pluck a tiny 72dpi jpeg off a website, and expect it to look good printed on an XXL shirt.)

Halftones and gradations are tough. (A 50% black makes an awesome grey on a monitor, but it doesn't work like that in screen print.)

Huge files (Anything over about 8mg can crash our email system.)

We really can't do photographs. (Or at least, we wouldn't recommend it.)

If only you and 12 other people on Earth still use an application that was discontinued in 1989, we're probably not among the 12.

Submitting Paper Etc. Files:
Not every bit of artwork is digital. We still use Scotch tape and Exacto knives when we need to. If you have an original drawing or print, it's not required that you scan it into a digital file. We've made great shirts out of things brought in on the back of napkins and envelopes or sketched out on the spot at the shop. Xeroxes, sketches, magazine clippings, what American Apparel color is closest to 'Celtics' green; by hook or by crook, we'll figure out a way to get it done for you.

Since everyone's design and idea is a unique thing, we may not have guessed here exactly what you needed to learn. So if we haven't addressed your concerns with these general guidelines, please do let us know. We'll be glad to offer more answers and advice and maybe even some unsolicited opinions.

For samples of some of the work that's gone through our shop, visit our Portfolio Page.
info@rocketsciencescreenprinting.com
617.625.1957