How to Silk Screen With Paper
Printers typically silkscreen on paper when they want to create an edition of handmade concert posters, stationary or art prints. Silkscreening allows you to create multiple prints in a short period of time, and it doesn't require as many specialized tools as other printmaking methods. Beginners who want to explore printmaking on paper can try the technique at home.
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Things You'll Need
- Silkscreening screen, 230 mesh count
- Degreaser
- Black-and-white image
- Graphic design software
- Transparent film
- Liquid emulsion and sensitizer
- Squeegee
- Black felt or paper
- Piece of glass
- Lamp
- 250-watt lightbulb
- Acetate
- Tape
- Hinge clamps
- Printing ink
Instructions
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1
Rinse a 230 mesh count screen with cool water and a degreaser, such as Mr. Clean, to remove any grease or residue that might otherwise affect the quality of your image.
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2
Prepare a high-contrast, black-and-white image. All of the parts of the image you want to print should appear in black, and any unprinted area should be white. Use Adobe Photoshop or similar software to adjust your image to size and clean up any ragged edges. If you're creating a print with multiple colors, separate each color into a different black-and-white image.
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3
Transfer the black-and-white image(s) onto transparent film. Take your digital image file to a copy and print store, and get the image printed or photocopied onto the appropriate material.
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4
Mix liquid emulsion and sensitizer, following the directions on the emulsion bottle. Complete this step while in a dark room where the sensitizer will not be activated.
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5
Cover the mesh screen with the emulsion mixture, using a squeegee to apply a thin layer to each side of the screen.
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6
Allow the emulsion to dry for at least 15 minutes.
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7
Position the printed transparent film right side up on the side of the screen with the raised wooden frame surrounding it; this is the squeegee side, or the front side, of the screen.
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8
Place the screen on a piece of black material; felt or paper work equally well. The squeegee side should face up. Cover the transparent film with a piece of heavy glass.
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9
Position a lamp with a 250-watt lightbulb 1 foot directly above the screen.
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10
Turn on the lamp for 15 minutes to burn the image into the screen.
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11
Run a gentle stream of cold water over the screen to rinse out the unexposed emulsifier.
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12
Repeat steps 6 through 12 for any other screens you might need for a multicolor paper silkscreen print.
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13
Cover your work surface with a piece of clear acetate, and tape down on one side.
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14
Attach two hinge clamps to the upper edge of your work surface, and secure the edges of your first screen into the clamps with the squeegee side facing upward.
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15
Lift the screen off the work surface, and deposit a line of printing ink across the top of your screen.
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16
Lower the screen onto the acetate surface, and beginning just above the line of ink, run your squeegee across the length of your screen. This will flood the screen with ink and create a registration print on the clear acetate.
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17
Let the acetate registration print dry for 15 minutes. Lift it from the unsecured side, and slide your printing paper underneath.
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18
Position the paper so that the registration print sits exactly where you want to print. Lift the acetate carefully. Don't shift the paper as you remove the acetate.
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19
Follow steps 16 and 17 to print your image, and repeat until you've printed your entire edition of prints.
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Tips & Warnings
If you're printing a multicolor silkscreen on paper, make a new acetate registration print for each layer. This will help you accurately place your paper and result in well-registered silkscreen prints.
Look for silkscreen materials at fine art supply stores.
You can print on any paper, but choose a heavyweight printmaking paper for the best results. If you can't find an appropriate paper in a local art supply store, look for paper at Talas or New York Central.
