Note: For this project, you’ll need three colors of ink: white, green, and gold/brown, with Speedball or xTool being the recommended brand. Additionally, you will require an xTools screen printer, three coated screens, and a drying tool, which could be a hairdryer, heat press, or heat gun. Finally, a dark-colored shirt is recommended.

To start this project, follow these steps in xTools Creative Space:
    1.    Change “Process on Flat Surface” to “Screen Preparation.”
    2.    Click “Calibrate Origin” and use the on-screen buttons to align the laser to the top right.
    3.    Adjust the Easy Set settings to 100% power and 135 speed. I find these parameters more effective.
    4.    When I used the Air Assist, it did not work for me, but it might work for you.

Steps to Position a Design on a Shirt
Using a Projector:
    •    Project the design onto the shirt using a low-cost projector.
    •    Mark the design’s position with small pieces of white sticker paper or tape from Amazon.
    •    Measure the size of the design.
Without a Projector:
    •    Estimate the size of the design.
    •    Measure one dimension with a ruler.
    •    Adjust the design size to fit different shirt dimensions for the best outcome.
Centering and Alignment:
    •    Fold the shirt in half to find the center.
    •    Mark the center with two pieces of tape or sticker paper for alignment.
Tip: Ensure to resize the design in xTools Creative Space to fit your shirt correctly.
 

Using D1 Pro for Multi-Color Screen Engraving:

    •    To engrave screens for our multi-color design, use the D1 Pro.
    •    This process requires separating the design into individual colors, aligning and scaling each color accurately, and engraving the screens.
    •    Follow these steps to ensure precise engraving and setup for screen printing.

    1.    Prepare Screens: Engrave three separate screens—one for each color used in the design.
    2.    Separate Colors: Click and drag each color from the combined file to separate them for individual engraving.
    3.    Align and Scale: Ensure the origin is aligned and the design is scaled and positioned correctly within the green engravable area.
    4.    Flip and Orient: Make sure the design is flipped horizontally and correctly oriented for your shirt.
    5.    Start Engraving: Begin the engraving process. Time will vary based on shirt size; mine took just over an hour.
    6.    Watch Tutorial: Watch a YouTube video on screen printing with the xTools Screen Printer during the engraving process, as the next steps can be technical.

    1.    Mount Engraved Screens: Extract your engraved screens from the laser cutter and attach one securely to the Screen Printer.
    2.    Prepare the Shirt and Plate: Place a sticky mat on the wooden plate to prevent the shirt from moving during the printing. Lay the shirt on the sticky mat. This is essential when printing multiple colors to keep the shirt in place.
    3.    Align the Shirt: Adjust and align the shirt using the three knobs at the bottom of the plate. Center the shirt accurately with the tape-marked center.
    4.    Apply First Color: At a 45-degree angle, flood the screen with the first color of ink. Ensure even coverage by adding more ink at the design’s bottom.
    5.    Print and Dry: Lower the screen onto the shirt and pull the squeegee across the design to deposit the ink. Lift the screen and dry the ink using a hair dryer, heat gun, or heat press. Repeat steps 3, 4, and 5 for each additional screen and color.
    6.    Finish: Carefully remove the shirt from the plate and let it dry completely.