| Few hobbies are as enjoyable and artistically | | | | variety of processes. If you choose to make your |
| challenging as screen printing. Screen printing uses a | | | | own stencil, remember to burn or photocopy the |
| screen, frame, stencil and inks in order to print an | | | | image onto a transparent material, such as vellum or |
| image onto an item such as a piece of paper, shirt, | | | | film positive. |
| or tote bag. For those with a do-it-yourself streak or | | | | Creating the Screen Print |
| for those who want to find a way to mass produce | | | | Follow these steps to fashion your own creation: |
| their wears themselves, screen printing is the right | | | | 1. Secure the screen to the frame. |
| medium for the job. | | | | 2. Create the stencil. |
| Screen Printing Tools | | | | 3. Mix the emulsion and sensitizer and apply to both |
| The basic materials necessary for screen printing are: | | | | sides of the mesh, using the art squeegee to even |
| · Aluminum or wooden frame | | | | out the emulsion. Emulsion is sensitive to light, so this |
| · Fabric mesh - the screen in screen printing. The | | | | step needs to be done in a dark room in order for |
| tighter the mesh, the more detail will show up on the | | | | the emulsion to dry without hardening. |
| print. | | | | 4. Once the emulsion is dry (usually in about two |
| · Stencil made of film positive (a transparent | | | | hours), place one side on the black cloth. |
| material like vellum also works) | | | | 5. Place the stencil on top of the frame and the glass |
| · Bottle of emulsion fluid | | | | on top of the stencil. |
| · Bottle of sensitizer fluid | | | | 6. Expose one side of the screen to a light source. |
| · Piece of glass to fit in the frame | | | | This can either be done outside, or inside using lamp |
| · Black cloth | | | | above the glass. If exposing the screen outdoors, |
| · Lamp (250 watt photo bulb is recommended) | | | | make sure to keep the screen away from anything |
| · Garden hose, sink, or access to some type of | | | | that will cast a shadow. |
| water supply | | | | 7. Once the emulsion dries (about 15 to 20 minutes) |
| · Gloves (keep emulsion off hands - it burns) | | | | remove the stencil and glass. |
| · Art squeegee | | | | 8. Rinse off the emulsion and allow the screen to dry. |
| · Screen printing ink (fabric ink or paper ink, | | | | 9. Put the piece of cardboard inside the t-shirt or |
| depending on the material) | | | | tote bag to prevent the ink from bleeding through. |
| · T-shirt, embroidery, tote bag, cardstock, or any | | | | 10. Place the screen on the material being printed. |
| other flat material to be used for printing | | | | 11. Squeegee the ink onto the screen. |
| · Piece of cardboard to put inside the t-shirt, | | | | 12. Lift the screen and voila! A great image printed on |
| sweatshirt, etc. | | | | the material. |
| · Clothes that can get really dirty as you prepare | | | | If you are printing using multiple colors, rinse off the |
| your project | | | | screen and allow the material to dry before adding |
| A Note On Stencils | | | | another color ink and reprinting. When you are |
| A good stencil can mean the difference between a | | | | finished, clean the screen and the frame for reuse |
| great design and a terrible design. Remember to use | | | | next time. |
| images with large areas of contrast, as they will | | | | Screen printing embroidery, t-shirts, or cards is a |
| show up on the t-shirt or tote bag better. Stencils | | | | great way to create something truly unique, whether |
| can be purchased or created on your own using a | | | | for yourself or family and friends. Enjoy the process. |