My first print - CD cases

[Pantrybarn]

I have been wanting to get into printing for a while, so I asked a local band if I could design and print CD cases for them. They agreed, so I designed a cover for them:
They're a grunge band, and I thought a big fly would be pretty grungy.
I burned my screen, but I used old emulsion so I had some washout issues. I fixed it so it would print fine, but now I can't reclaim it. Bummer! I had Andy's book and decided to build a vac table:
The table works really well. Definitely a good move to build one of those. I printed the green blocks:
Then I printed the lighter green designs:
Then I printed that grungy fly! For those wondering, I hand drew the fly, inked it, then scanned it into Illustrator where I did everything else except for the back of the case. The back of the case is a scan from a piece of paper that the band was using to keep track of what they were recording at the studio. I work for a sound company, and we have a studio, which is actually where they recorded it so I was very much involved with the recording. I also played bass on the recording because their bass player wouldn't show up. I guess it's a grunge band thing, those guys have been through like 5 bass players.

My biggest problem during the run was registration, but I'm happy with how they came out. Any tips on registration? I think they turned out pretty rad though. It was a run of 50, I used speed ball ink and a 305 screen (that can't be reclaimed! errgh). What do you guys think?

[boatdreams]

Pretty ambitious for your first print! Nice work.
Regarding registration, don't be afraid to move your registration tabs during the run. Usually some adjustments are needed after the first pull. You can determine the direction to adjust the tab position by looking at how your current color is landing on your stock. They also make clamps with micro reg, too. Also, check out some of the process threads and existing threads about registration by searching the forums here. There is lots of good information here.
I like that fly drawing -- really nice.

[peter worth]

nicely done! I think the slightly off registration works in your advantage here.

[caribou]

nicely done

[standard]

good job.

muddwater is a terrible, terrible name.

[peter worth]

thats quite a setup for this being your first print.

[standard]

That an Ariens snowblower? Those babies make great drying racks.

[Pantrybarn]

Muddwater IS an awful name for an album. You should've seen what their idea for the cover was. Think pixelated MS Paint collage of hobos and mud. Thanks for all the kind words guys. Financial aid checks are really great for building your setup lol

[steve w]

hooray for socialism!

[standard]

So that's partially MY screenprinting setup.