Why Photoshop's CMYK Fails for Screen Printing
If you convert to CMYK in Photoshop (Image → Mode → CMYK Color), you'll get separations designed for offset commercial printing on paper—NOT textile screen printing. Here's what goes wrong:
- ✗ Wrong ink density limits (400% TIC vs 280% max for screen printing)
- ✗ Incorrect color profiles (commercial press inks vs textile water-based/plastisol)
- ✗ No underbase generation for dark garments
- ✗ Wrong halftone frequency (150 LPI vs 35-65 LPI for screen printing)
CMYK Screen Printing Requirements
Cyan Channel
Mesh: 230-305 mesh white or yellow
Screen Angle: 105°
LPI: 45-55 (adjust based on detail)
Ink: Process cyan (transparent water-based or plastisol)
Magenta Channel
Mesh: 230-305 mesh white or yellow
Screen Angle: 75°
LPI: 45-55 (adjust based on detail)
Ink: Process magenta (transparent water-based or plastisol)
Yellow Channel
Mesh: 230-305 mesh white or yellow
Screen Angle: 90°
LPI: 45-55 (adjust based on detail)
Ink: Process yellow (transparent water-based or plastisol)
Black (Key) Channel
Mesh: 230-305 mesh white or yellow
Screen Angle: 45°
LPI: 45-55 (adjust based on detail)
Ink: Process black (transparent or semi-opaque)
White Underbase (for dark garments)
Mesh: 156-230 mesh white
Screen Angle: 22.5° or 67.5°
Print Order: First (flash cure before CMYK)
Ink: Opaque white (plastisol or high-opacity water-based)
Common CMYK Screen Printing Mistakes
❌ Mistake #1: Too Fine Halftones
Using 85+ LPI like offset printing causes dot bridging and muddy prints. Screen printing meshes can't hold tiny dots consistently.
✓ Solution: Use 45-55 LPI for optimal detail without clogging.
❌ Mistake #2: Excessive Ink Coverage
Total ink coverage over 280% causes wet-on-wet printing issues and long flash times between colors.
✓ Solution: InkSplit limits TIC to screen printing-safe levels.
❌ Mistake #3: Wrong Screen Angles
Incorrect angles create visible moiré patterns that ruin the print. Precision is critical.
✓ Solution: InkSplit applies perfect screen angles automatically.
❌ Mistake #4: No Underbase Strategy
Printing CMYK directly on dark garments results in dull, faded colors due to fabric show-through.
✓ Solution: InkSplit generates intelligent underbases automatically.
InkSplit's CMYK Advantage
Screen Printing-Specific Profiles
Custom CMYK color profiles optimized for textile inks, not offset press inks. Produces vibrant, accurate colors on fabric.
Automatic TIC Reduction
Intelligently reduces total ink coverage to safe levels (220-280%) while maintaining shadow detail and color fidelity.
Perfect Halftone Angles
Applies industry-standard screen angles (C=105°, M=75°, Y=90°, K=45°) to eliminate moiré patterns and ensure clean prints.
Smart Underbase Generation
Analyzes your design and garment color to create optimal white underbases—preventing transparency issues and color shifts.
CMYK vs Simulated Process: When to Use Each
| Use Case | CMYK Process | Simulated Process |
|---|---|---|
| Photographic Images | ✓ Best Choice | Good |
| Vector Graphics | Okay | ✓ Best Choice |
| Light Garments | ✓ Ideal | ✓ Ideal |
| Dark Garments | Complex (needs underbase) | ✓ Easier |
| Color Count | 4-5 (CMYK + white) | 4-8 spot colors |
| Print Vibrancy | Softer, photorealistic | ✓ Bold, vibrant |