How to Make a Silk Screen Frame With Hinges

With a few tools and supplies, you can build a wood frame and stretch synthetic screen mesh over it--also known as a silk screen frame. For ease of use and best results, you can also build a baseboard with silk screen hinges on it. The silk screen frame can be mounted in the hinges for stability and ease of use while silk screening.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wood frame Wood glue Screen print hinges with wing nuts Wood screws Brad nails Synthetic screen mesh Staple gun or tacks Reinforcing fabric tape Sturdy plywood baseboard 1/4-inch Masonite Drill Hammer Screwdriver Scissors Saw Polyurethane Brush

How to Make a Silk Screen Frame with Hinges

1. Construct your wood frame to a size 6 to 8 inches larger in width and height than the paper or fabric on which you will be printing. A 1-by-2-foot or 2-by-2-foot board makes a good wood frame for silk screen printing. Use wood screws or nails to fasten the frame and wood glue to reinforce it. If using wood screws, drill pilot holes with a small drill bit.
   Painting stretcher bars made of wood may be used in place of wooden boards; reinforce them with wood glue.

2. In this step, stretch synthetic screen mesh over the wood frame using tacks or a staple gun. Begin with a piece of screen mesh about 2 inches larger than your screen in width and height all around. Tack the corners first, then drive tacks or staples on one side using reinforcing fabric tape between the tacks and the screen mesh to avoid tearing it. Next, tack or staple the opposite side. Continue to fasten the screen fabric around the frame until it is taught. Cut away excess mesh at the edges of the silk screen frame.

3. Cut a baseboard measuring about 8 inches larger than the screen frame in width and height. Measure in about 2 inches from one edge of the baseboard, and draw a straight line with a pencil. Position the screen print hinges along the straight line, equidistant between the center of the baseboard and the edge of the screen frame. Fasten hinges to the baseboard with wood screws, making sure they align with one another along the straight line.

4. Cut a piece of Masonite to cover the baseboard except where the screen hinges are. Fasten with wood glue and small brads at the corners and edges. The brads should not be nailed in the middle of the baseboard in the live print area. Cover with two coats of polyurethane to add in smooth printing and easy cleanup.

5. Select a method for creating a stencil on your screen frame, and you will be ready to print. Stencil methods include drawing fluid, light sensitive emulsion and paper stencil.

Tips & Warnings

• Silk screen hinges with wing nuts are manufactured specifically for silk screen printing. The wing nuts allow for easy removal of the silk screen frame from the hinges and for more than one frame to be used in your baseboard print surface.
• Silk screening is also known by the names screen printing and serigraphy. In order to print, a design must be put on the screen using one of several stencil methods that are not covered in this article.

Resources

• Silk Screen for Schools
• Preparing Screens
• How to Make a Screen, Video