Rocket Science Screenprinting : You Imagine It

Rocket Science Screenprinting offers full-service graphic design and collaboration that help you get exactly the look that you want.

Besides high-quality screen printing 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 to make your shirts look the best they can possibly be.

We can pick up the artwork preparation at any stage.

If you don't know where to start, we'll work with you to create a great looking custom design that you'll be proud of, and that is appropriate to both your needs and to your budget. If you've pretty much got it, but your art is a little rough around the edges, or perhaps you wished that you had a better font, we can spiff it up and fill it out to just what you want. And if you need your logo or artwork reproduced exactly to specs; well, send it on over!

We can print up to 4 spot colors per side.
And hand mix any color of custom ink at no additional charge.

For samples of our work visit our Portfolio page.

When Rocket Science first started shirt printing, nobody had email. So submitting artwork meant making an appointment and dragging all of your art sheets in. Now through the wonder of modernity, you can easily email your files in and we can get started on your job today! And of course, you are still welcome to come by the workshop and drop stuff off if you would like. (Call ahead for fresh coffee.)

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 holler 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 like .eps, .pdf, and others. (Please note that we are a Mac based shop, so some Windows files won't talk to us.)

Usually, we just say 'send whatcha got'. If we can't work with it or if we have doubts about the final print quality, we'll let you know. (We always seem to figure out a way to make it work somehow.)

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 Old School 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 'Packers' green; by hook or by crook, we'll figure out how to get it done.

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.

info@rocketsciencescreenprinting.com
617.625.1957