Screen Printing Chemicals Deep Dive with Alan Howe

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:42 — 60.1MB)

Please find some links and notes from the 2 Regular Guys Podcast. We welcome back Alan Howe of Saati USA Chemical Division to the show. Alan has shared a great deal of information with us over time and this week we are going to learn all about screen printing chemicals. We are going to cover topics ranging from telling the difference between screen wash and ink removers to dealing with the safety concerns and storage of chemicals. Alan will tell us about how to adhere to rules and regulations all while providing your customers the best screens possible because you are using the correct chemicals.

Sponsored by: Equipment Zone and Pic The Gift

Our regular listeners know this, but 2 Regular Guys are all about garment decorating, a bit of fun, and no rants or lectures or selling. We are not doing this for our employers, but rather for our industry. For the past three and a half years, 2 Regular Guys have been the first and the most listened to garment decorating industry podcast on this planet! We are humbled by all of you tuning in each week. We work hard to bring you information that will make your business better, and our industry better. Take a look at our incredible weekly guest list and you’ll understand where this industry goes for news, interviews and the heartbeat of garment decorating. Thanks for listening!!

Screen Printing Chemicals Deep Dive

Tell us about the screen printing chemicals needed for cleaning screens.
- Screen wash, ink remover, ink degradent. (how can you tell the difference?)
How about the screen printing chemicals used while the screens are on the press? And are they different from press washes, on press cleaners, screen openers?
Could I not just use one product for all of those things?
Tell us some more about the reclaiming process.
- Degreaser
What screen printing chemicals can a screen printer use to rid themselves haze or ghost images?
- Haze removers
We get asked a lot by folks how to deal with the chemicals if they have a septic tank. Suggestions? A second question here, talk to us about eco-friendly products.
Can you talk to us about safety data sheets? We remember them being called MSDS.
- SDS – Safety Data Sheets – 16 sections

Alan Howe is a native of Detroit Michigan with 29 years of industry experience. He entered the industry in 1987 with an equipment manufacturer and has since held technical-sales and management positions with well-known companies including Jay Products and Easiway Systems. Alan resides in Columbiaville Michigan and is a Technical Sales Representative for SAATI CHEM. a division of SAATI Americas. As a seminar speaker and with many articles published he is a familiar face at trade shows and industry events.Alan has also traveled the world as a short-term missionary and still is involved in humanitarian efforts locally, domestically and worldwide.

Other News/Events

Complete Screen Printing Business Course – Atlas Screen Supply in Chicago – November 12-13
Complete Screen Printing Business Course – Reece Supply in Dallas – November 19-20
Complete Screen Printing Business Course – Workhorse Products in Phoenix – December 10-11
The New World of Digital Decorating – Mind’s Eye Graphics in Decatur, IN – February 24-25
The New World of Digital Decorating – Equipment Zone in Franklin Lakes, NJ (NYC Area) – :::Coming Soon:::
Epson free all-day training Seminars
- October 26 NBM Charlotte – theNBMshow.com

Trade Shows

NBM Charlotte Oct 27-29
NBM Denver Nov 11-12
PPAI Expo Jan 10-12
ASI Orlando Jan 19-20
ISS Long Beach Jan 20-22
CREATIVATION (CHA Show) Jan 21-23
NBM Ft Lauderdale Feb 16-18 (Co-Locate with GOA)
DAX Kansas City Mar 3-4

Terry’s Books

Screen Printing: A Practical Guide to Starting Your Own T-Shirt Business Just $4.95 as an e-book.

Direct to Garment: A Practical Guide to Starting Your Own T-Shirt Business Just $4.95 as an e-book.

Scheduling and Estimating Production Time for Garment Screen Printing Just $2.99 as an e-book

This show is brought to you for a full hour by: Equipment Zone, with 20 years experience selling garment printing equipment nationwide. Equipment Zone offers the new Epson F2000 SureColor direct-to-garment printer, their own VelociJet-XL DTG printer, and the all new SpeedTreater-TX automatic pretreat machine with a full 16”x24” pretreat area. Equipment Zone also carries a full line of DTG inks and supplies. Go to EquipmentZone.com

This show is for the listeners so please make sure to ask us some questions or give us some topics you would like us to discuss. Also, if you have any event or upcoming items related to our industry that you would like us to bring up on the show, please contact us via our Facebook Page. Also, make sure to interact/follow us on Twitter or Google +. You can also find information over at our YouTube Page.

From Purpose to Profit: How to Build a Profitable Business on PurposeFrom Purpose to Profit: How to Build a Profitable Business on Purpose

January 23, 2026| Aaron Montgomery| 0 Comment| 10:00 am

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:07:03 — 57.4MB)

Powerfully-simple email marketing for ecommerce businesses by AWeber

What if profit came from clarity, not hustle? This week, we are joined by Becky Kotzer of BK Custom T’s to talk about what it really looks like to build a profitable business on purpose. Becky shares her garment decorating journey and how getting clear on her purpose changed the way she thinks about pricing, profit, and the role money plays in her business. In this conversation, we get practical. We talk about profit first thinking, a simple “need to earn” approach, and the unique budgeting system Becky uses to manage cash flow, expenses, and future goals. If you’re tired of guessing where the money goes and want systems that support better decisions and peace of mind, this episode will give you a clear picture of what’s possible.

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Busting the Biggest Myths in Garment DecorationBusting the Biggest Myths in Garment Decoration

October 3, 2025| Aaron Montgomery| 0 Comment| 10:00 am

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:17:42 — 69.6MB)

This week on the 2 Regular Guys Podcast, Aaron and Terry are joined by industry expert Erich Campbell for a no-nonsense look at the myths that keep decorators stuck. From the belief that you have to be the lowest price, to the idea that buying more equipment is the fast track to success, to trusting that YouTube or a supplier’s rep has all the answers, we’ll tackle the stories that sound good but cost shops time, money, and energy. Together we’ll break down why these common assumptions don’t hold up, and share what actually leads to growth, balance, and long-term success in this business. If you’ve ever wondered whether small shops can compete, if you should accept every order, or if working harder is really the key to getting ahead, this conversation is for you.

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April 11th, 2014 Show Notes – Niche Markets and an SGIA Update with Johnny ShellApril 11th, 2014 Show Notes – Niche Markets and an SGIA Update with Johnny Shell

April 11, 2014| Aaron Montgomery| 0 Comment| 12:00 pm

April 11th Show Audio

Please find some links and notes from the 2 Regular Guys Podcast where Aaron and Terry presented our popular month show about available niche markets in our industry based on Terry Combs weekly newsletter, plus we will also talked with Johnny Shell from SGIA about their new website, and other happenings at SGIA.

Sponsored by: Equipment Zone (Use Coupon code GUYS)

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