How to Do Screen Printing

Screen printing is a great way to reproduce an image many times without losing the quality of the print between the first print and the last. While you can add many layers of colors, the screen printing task obviously becomes more difficult with additional colors. You may want to start with a one-color design for your first project.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Picture
• Embroidery hoop large enough to go around the picture
• Tulle, sheer curtains or old pantyhose
• Pencil
• Old newspapers
• Non-water soluble glue
• Old paint brush
• Good paint brush
• Screen printing ink
• Paper
• T-shirt

1. Choose a simple image you would like to use for your project. You can draw your own or you can find a simple graphic online and use the "Paint" program on your PC edit it.

2. Make the image into the size you need to fit on the paper you are using or the T-shirt you are screen-printing. You can use a photocopier to shrink or enlarge your drawing or use the "Paint" program to size it.

3. Cut a piece of tulle, sheer curtain material or old pantyhose to fit into the embroidery hoop. Tighten the material in the hoop as tight as possible.

4. Lay the pattern face up on a table. Place the embroidery hoop centered over the design with the fabric lying right on top of the pattern. Trace the design onto the fabric with the pencil. Turn the embroidery hoop over when you finish this step to make sure you can see the design.

5. Cover your table with old newspapers. With the embroidery hoop raised from the table, use the old paintbrush to glue the areas of the design you don't want painted. Think of your picture like a photo negative to help you paint the correct areas. Let the glue dry.

6. Center the embroidery hoop over the paper or T-shirt that you are going to screen print. It's a good idea to put a piece of newspaper between the front and back of the T-shirt in case some of the ink runs through the fabric.

7. Stipple or dab screen print ink onto the design. Use only enough paint to barely cover the surface. Pull the embroidery hoop straight up. Let the paint dry. Set it according to the directions on the package. Repeat the screen printing process as many times as you want with the same pattern.

Tips & Warnings

• Any kind of finely woven fabric works for Step 3.

[jgerard]

on 6/5/2008 I don't understand Step 5, specifically, why you would apply glue to the parts of the design you don't want painted. Needs clarification.