How to Do Screen Printing on Fabric

Making your own screen print t-shirts gives you the option to customize and create one-of-a-kind designs, and it doesn't take a lot of money or time. This method is easy, cheap and quick to learn. You'll be making t-shirts for your friends in no time.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• T-shirt
• Spoon
• Acrylic fabric paint such as Speedball brand
• Squeegee

Make a Screen Printing Stencil

1. Print from a computer or draw your image on a piece of paper. Use an image that is simple, with clear lines. (Hint: Use a heart or star for your first try.)

2. Trace this image onto a thin piece of drawing paper, making use of positive and negative space. Trace the outline, not specific details.

3. Cut out the pieces you want to be colored. You're creating a stencil for your print so cut through only where you want the paint to go. Make sure the stencil is small enough to fit inside your embroidery hoop.

4. Stretch a pair of pantyhose over one section of your embroidery hoop. Place the stencil upside down on top of the inner loop and place the outer loop around it, fastening the two circles together tightly.

5. Turn the hoop over so the pantyhose are smooth on top, the stencil underneath. The picture should be right side up, showing through the pantyhose.

Make a Screen Print on Fabric

6. Place your embroidery hoop stencil on top of your t-shirt where you want your design to show. Make sure it's in the correct spot because once you paint there's no turning back.

7. Mix the silkscreen color you want and spoon a blob onto your stencil. Use a large enough amount to cover the area but not too much--you don't want excess paint to soak through and ruin your design.

8. Push the paint over the stencil with a squeegee or piece of cardboard. Press firmly, at a 45-degree angle, to cover the area without getting paint under the stencil.

9. Slowly pull the stencil away from the shirt, carefully peeling it off the fabric. Don't worry about imperfections--they become a part of your one-of-a-kind design.

10. Finish by following the manufacturer's directions on the paint. Often you allow the paint to dry and iron with a piece of fabric between the iron and the paint. This setting process allows you to wash the shirt without the paint washing away.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice this technique with simple designs until you feel more comfortable. Eventually you can work up to multiple colors--create a unique stencil for each color, cutting out only the pieces that should take on that color. Start with the lightest color and let paint dry before applying the next color.