How to Make a Silk Screen Kit

Silk-screening is a fun way to be creative and make cool gifts. You can silk-screen on cloth, such as T-shirts and sweatshirts, or on paper for greeting cards and posters. It's not difficult to make a silk-screen kit, but you do need a few basic tools, such as a silk screen frame. This can be easily made out of inexpensive materials in just a few minutes.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Large wooden embroidery hoop that can be tightened (available in craft stores)
• Fine mesh tulle or old nylon stockings---enough to cover the hoop
• Strip of medium-weight cloth that will fit around the inside of the hoop
• Craft glue

1. Open the embroidery hoop so that it is in two pieces, the inner hoop and the outer hoop

2. Stretch the tulle across the inner hoop.

3. Hold the tulle in place while you replace the outer hoop. Tighten the hoop as tight as you can.

4. Tug on the edges of the tulle until it is taut in the frame.

5. If you can't get the tulle taut, remove the outer ring and glue the strip of medium fabric around the outside of the inner hoop. Then try stretching the tulle again.

Tips & Warnings

• To finish the kit, add screen printing ink, a small squeegee that will fit inside the hoop and a bottle of screen filler. All of these should be available at a craft or an art store. You will also need a flat board larger than the hoop. Throw in a package of T-shirts and heavy construction paper if this is a gift.

References

• How to silk screen