Need info on printing "silk screened" Mego bodysuits

[reevefan78]

Does anyone know the process of printing Mego "silk screened" body suits for 8" figures?

I have no idea how this is done but would like to learn. Please help me with the following questions I have regarding this process:

1. How are the costume designs created (i.e. what computer software is used to make the patterns)? I have Adobe Illustrator CS and know how to use the program quite well.

2. What kind of fabric is used and where would I purchase it?

3. What kind of printer is used and where would I purchase one? Can I use my ink jet printer or do I need a special kind of printer? If an ink jet printer can be used will the ink be permanent on the fabric or will it need to be treated to keep the colors from "running" should any moisture get to it (even from handling)?

Any help or tutorial would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance for any advice or tips on this process.

[Neutron X]

I'll get the ball rolling. I know many here can help with some of your questions. I have Googled it in the past and found several online tutorials. I remember the cloth is attached to some kind of wax paper ect to go through printer.

[Bizarro Amy]

I think you need a special kind of printer, or at least ink. Pretty sure the ink is alcohol-based, at the very least. That would keep the colors from running.

[almitysufx]

Epson printer, and get the inexpensive one. It's all about the ink. Epson ink is alcohol based. Water based ink will wash right off. I use a fabric called jet set abd I use thin cardstock as a backing. I was taped for a demo at this years megomeet but haven't seen it yet.

[almitysufx]

the more costly epson printers have a sensor that will not allow printing multiple times on the same sheet and there are times when a suit will need to be run through a few times

[EMCE Hammer]

You make it sound (and look) way too easy Edward.

[jacoblb]

I would be most interested in seeing the fabric printing video.

And any other Mego Meet videos taken like the one done on casting. Incidentally, has anyone created a helpful all-video thread featuring Youtube links from the last Mego Meet?

[reevefan78]

I love the Mego Museum and all it's members....always a nice group of folks willing to lend a helping hand with any customizer's questions or projects. Thanks to everyone for their kindness in posting a response to help me out.

[Cosmicman]

I would listen to Ed Nagy up there (almitysufx). I don't think I've seen anything quite as good as his work. If he is offering advice in videos or what not, I would advise you to learn.
I own several suits he did for me including my own character Cosmicman. I have bought stuff from other "silk screeners" on here....not using names but their ink is running and fading now, and for the money I paid I would have expected better but I'm holding no grudges. As far as the silk screen costume master nothing is compared to whatever almitysufx has designed.

Just my opinion and two cents.

[almitysufx]

Wrath, that's some pretty high praise, truth is there is nothing like good old silk screening and even then its not always right. It was a big desire of mine as a customizer to find a way to reproduce the look of a silk screen suit without the work and cost. I may make it sound easy, and really it is now, but I put alot of work into getting my process where it is now, and I'm still learning new tricks.
I haven't seen the video taken, it was the same guys who taped Austin molding heads and it was a quick deal at the end of the day. I don't even know if it turned out. If I get time ill make one myself and get it put up here.

[reevefan78]

I'm with you Wrathdemon! I had no idea this was Ed Nagy until you told me. He did sign his name as Ed in his pm to me but I am still learning people's names here on the Mego Museum. I happened to see a few of his works of art in the custom section of this site and I was completely floored.....great stuff! Ed was very, very kind and pm'ed me some tricks of the trade. I really appreciated that and I pm'ed him back to thank him greatly for the kind advice.

Based on the quality of his work and your "two cents" I'll definitely try his technique with my project in hopes that I can achieve similar results as he has managed to perfect. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for your post in letting me know that I was speaking directly to the great Ed Nagy! His work is top notch for sure! I just hope I can do him proud by learning his technique well enough to make it work for me as he has managed to do for himself. Only time, effort and money will tell.

I would listen to Ed Nagy up there (almitysufx). I don't think I've seen anything quite as good as his work. If he is offering advice in videos or what not, I would advise you to learn.
I own several suits he did for me including my own character Cosmicman. I have bought stuff from other "silk screeners" on here....not using names but their ink is running and fading now, and for the money I paid I would have expected better but I'm holding no grudges. As far as the silk screen costume master nothing is compared to whatever almitysufx has designed.

Just my opinion and two cents.

[reevefan78]

Oh Great and Powerful Ed Nagy.....thank you, thank you, thank you for your selflessness in sharing your technique with me. I do hope you are able at some point to do some kind of video tutorial for your printing technique. That would be wonderful!

I really appreciate customizers like yourself that don't mind sharing your experience with others. You're a kindred spirit. I'm an art instructor myself (I teach out of my home studio 3 days a week and paint for a local gallery the other days I'm off) and I just finished having my first instructional portrait painting (in oil) DVD filmed by a local video production company. I too enjoy sharing my experiences with others......it's very rewarding. I hope at the end of my life that I can look back and know that in some small way I was able to help someone else realize their dream of tapping into the artist that was within them.

Being a creative person is a gift and I believe our talents and gifts are meant to be shared with other creative minded people. Thank you again for your kind and most generous pm in sharing your method of printing Mego suits with me that mimic the silk screened costumes of yesteryear.

As far as I'm concerned you are definitely an artist's artist and you've set the bar pretty high for the rest of us.

Wrath, that's some pretty high praise, truth is there is nothing like good old silk screening and even then its not always right. It was a big desire of mine as a customizer to find a way to reproduce the look of a silk screen suit without the work and cost. I may make it sound easy, and really it is now, but I put alot of work into getting my process where it is now, and I'm still learning new tricks.
I haven't seen the video taken, it was the same guys who taped Austin molding heads and it was a quick deal at the end of the day. I don't even know if it turned out. If I get time ill make one myself and get it put up here.

[livnxxxl]

I also find this thread interesting. Is there some way we can get specifics as to what Epson printer model(s), links to order the special fabric paper and possibly the template or outline of a suit to get started?