GUIDE

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about SURIMACCA and screen printing.

SURIMACCA Screens and Printing Inks
Others

Screens and Printing

Can I print different colors using the same screen?

Yes, you can wash the screen and use it again with different inks. If you plan to use the screen more than once, make sure to wash it right after printing, otherwise ink dries on the screen and makes it impossible to reuse.

How durable is the screen? How many prints can I make with one screen?

It depends on many aspects, but you should be able to print a couple of hundreds of prints. (When our staff experimented, we managed to deliver 500 prints in a row without a problem.) Fine details and types tend to get clogged easier than the rest.
If an important area of the design is clogged or damaged, it cannot be fixed, so you need to remake the screen.
If small holes appear on the screen, you can mask it with masking tape from the backside for a quick fix. Holes are more likely to appear when you print on a bumpy surface. Repetition of printing and washing will wear out the screen faster than printing many in a row.

What mesh count should I choose?

You can choose depending on which ink you will use. A mesh count chart is available for your reference. Please feel free to contact us if you are not sure about your choices.
*Currently available only in Japan.

シルクスクリーン製版の選び方

Can I use the screen that I took off from the frame again?

The SURIMACCA’s screen is basically disposable, but if you take it off and stretch it back carefully, you should be able to reuse it.
We recommend doing test prints before the actual prints, because the screen might have been distorted, damaged or have holes from the process of removing and re-stretching.

Can I make my own screens?

SURIMACCA’s screen making requires a special machine, so it is not possible to make them by yourself. The good thing about SURIMACCA is that you don't need to own any special machines or tools for screen making, as we will do it for you.
It takes only a few minutes if you come to the store, or 2~3 days if we send it to you. Please order the amount of screens you need, whenever in need.
*Currently available only in Japan.

Can I use any ink?

You can use both regular water-based and oil-based inks.
If you use an oil-based ink, dispose of the screen after you are finished printing, because solvent cleaners for oil-based inks might melt the plastic of SURIMACCA.
To clean oil-based inks from SURIMACCA, use waste cloth to wipe it off and do not use any solvents.

What is the material of the mesh?

It is polyester.

Inks

Can I wash printed fabrics?

Yes, you can. SURIMACCA ink will set on fabric once it’s dried, so you can wash with a washing machine. However, if the fabric itself is bumpy, like heavy cotton or coarse linen, friction may easily occur. Friction may cause fibers to come out to the surface, making the ink look like it has faded.
This is not because the ink has been washed away, but because it has been scratched off. To minimize the friction, turn the fabric inside out and put it in a laundry net before washing. How strong the ink sets also varies depending on the fabric, so be sure to test the compatibility of the ink and the fabric before use.

How many prints can I pull out of a bottle of ink(100ml/ 3.3oz)?

It depends on how much surface area you are printing, but as a reference, you should be able to print 20 of 10×10cm(3.9”) squares. You can print more when the image is mainly lineworks and less of fill.

Can I mix inks?

Yes, you can mix SURIMACCA inks with each other.
In rare cases, the color of mixed ink may change once ironed. Test prints are recommended when you want to mix inks. Please do not mix SURIMACCA inks with inks from other brands.

Can I wash the inks down the drain?

Chunks of ink might clog the drain pipe and cause trouble. If you want to get rid of ink chunks, transfer them onto waste paper and dispose into a bin. Or if you want to wash them down, make sure to dissolve the ink in water before draining.

Ink got on my clothes. Can I get it off?

Unfortunately, it cannot be removed.... Be sure to wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty when working. (You might be able to get it off if the ink is not completely dry. Try washing it with soap or detergent and rinse thoroughly with water)

How long does the ink last?

It depends on how and where they were stored.
When using inks that have been stored for a while, we recommend mixing them well and running test prints to see if they work fine before the actual prints. Please do not use inks that have obviously hardened or separated into parts.

Is it safe for infants to touch the inks?

Generally speaking, it is safe to touch, but since all the components are chemical substances, if you have chemical sensitivity or allergies, we do not recommend using it. The same goes for people with sensitive skin, who may get a rash due to the additives.
We are unable to make concrete judgments on this matter, so please consult your doctor. Also, since ink is made of chemical substances, it is not good for babies or even adults to put in their mouth. It is safer to refrain from printing on items that come in direct contact with the mouth.
*This standard applies only in Japan.

What is the difference between water-based inks and oil-based inks?

The finish and durability are different. Water-based inks, when printed, absorb into the fabrics.
The more you wash the print, the more it wears with the fibers and the color will seem faded. It is easier to work with as it can be washed with water.
Oil-based inks have higher coverage and can print bright colors even on dark materials. This is because the ink sits on the surface of the material, which means the breathability of large printed areas will become poor. Special cleaners are required for cleaning, which makes it harder to work with compared to water-based inks.
SURIMACCA inks are made water-based so everyone including beginners can work with them easily. Our studios in Osaka and Tokyo also stock oil-based inks.
*Only for use in the studios. Sales for taking out are not available.

What is the difference between regular inks and KOTTERI ink?

Regular inks emphasize work efficiency, whereas KOTTERI ink emphasizes color vibrancy. The basic components are the same, but the viscosity and the drying speed are different.
Regular inks are made soft to slow down the drying time, which prevents clogging on the screen, making it easier to work with even for beginners. The ink is absorbed into the material, so when printed on dark materials it would look muted.
On the other hand, KOTTERI ink has a higher viscosity and a faster drying speed so the ink can stay on the surface of the material before getting absorbed. It can create bold and vibrant prints because of this but it also means you will need to work faster. You can learn more about this from the link below.

Playing with KOTTERI White Ink

Is ironing always required?

It is not required since SURIMACCA inks cure by air-drying.
However, SURIMACCA inks take longer to dry and there may be cases where inks look dry but are not completely.

Can I use Gold/Silver/Copper inks with screens that are not 70 mesh count (with a cleaning)?

Unlike other inks, the metallic inks contain glitter, so they cannot pass through the holes properly unless the mesh is coarse-enough. If you use them with a 70 mesh screen without a cleaning, or with a 120 mesh screen, you might get faint images because of the glitter not passing through, or clogging the screen.
We highly recommend using a 70 mesh screen with a cleaning for Gold/Silver/Copper inks.
A coarser mesh (70~80 mesh count) is also recommended when using your own inks from other brands.
*Currently available only in Japan.

How do I use metallic foils and flock sheets?

Print with adhesive instead of inks, let it dry, place foils or flock sheets on top, and heat press. You can learn more about it here.

Playing with Metallic Foil Transfer
Playing with Flock Sheet Transfer

Having a hard time registering. Any tips?

Multicolor printing can be quite difficult without the right equipment.
There is an article documenting experimentation done by our staff. Please take a look as a reference.

【LAB】Tips to align multi-color prints – part 1
【LAB】Tips to align multi-color prints – part 2

Can I print with paints?

Printing with paints should be possible, but since paints are made to dry fast, it might clog the screen quickly. There are some paints which you can use as screen print inks by mixing with special mediums.

Can I print CMYK(4 color process printing) images?

In screen printing, you cannot print like inkjet or laser printer since you print one color/ink at a time, but you can use multiple colors/layers to get a similar effect.
There is an article documenting experimentation done by our staff. Please take a look as a reference.

【LAB】Print photos on fabric

Others

Where are the open access studios?

The company-owned studios are in Osaka and Tokyo, Japan.
There are also studios across the country, which we have partnership with. Hours and services vary depending on the studio, so please check the website for each store.

STUDIOS

Are waste cloths disposable?

We wash and dry to use repeatedly at our studios. We dispose when they are too dirty, or used for oil-based inks.

Can you print on T-shirts and send them to me?

We do not accept any screen printing jobs at JAM. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

Can I rent the products for holding a workshop?

We have products available to rent. As part of our support for education, we are offering 10 units for free to educational institutions. Please check the product page for details.
*Currently available only in Japan.

SURIMACCAレンタル（5組1セット）

I want to introduce SURIMACCA to a school.

Please contact us from here.
*Currently available only in Japan.

Contact Us