The Method for How to Silk Screen Print

Silk-screen is perfect for printing T-shirts.

Silk-screen printing is a fun, straightforward and versatile method for printing brilliant inks on myriad surfaces from paper and fabric to plastic. You can create a graphic image, coat and expose a silk screen, and print with materials available at an art supply store or screen-printing supplier. Some items used in screen exposure may come from a hardware store. Silk-screen, commonly known as screen-printing, is a the perfect medium for making multiple prints.

Things You'll Need

• Graphic image
• Clear vellum paper
• Computer
• Printer
• Silk-screen frame with mesh
• Photo emulsion
• Emulsion-coating tool or stiff card
• Foam rubber to fit the screen, 4 inches thick
• Clear tape
• Glass to fit the screen, 1/4 inch thick
• Halide light
• Spray bottle filled with warm water
• Newsprint
• Screen-printing clamps
• Screen-printing ink
• Squeegee

Instructions

1. Create a graphic image in a word-processing, illustration or graphics program. You may also create a graphic on paper and scan it into a computer. Start with a one-color design, as you must make one screen for each ink color. Load the printer with clear vellum paper and print your design on the clear vellum to create a film positive of your image.

2. Rinse a silk screen and let it dry. Read the directions for your photo emulsion, as some emulsions come with a sensitizer added to activate it. If so, add the sensitizer as per the instructions, which may vary from emulsion to emulsion. Usually, you just add water to a plastic jar of sensitizer powder and stir it into the emulsion. Also note the recommended exposure time. When the silk screen is dry, coat the screen on both sides with photo emulsion in a dark area, and set it aside to dry.

3. Set up a screen-burning station in a dark room. Trim a piece of foam rubber to fit inside the screen frame. Lay the foam rubber on a flat surface and place the silk screen on top of it, face-down. Put the clear vellum print face-down on the silk screen, centered, and use clear tape to secure it. Lay the glass on top of it. Hang the halide light 18 inches over the screen-burning station.

4. Turn on the light for the recommended exposure time, then turn it off. Put the glass and clear vellum aside and remove the silk screen. Still in a dark area, develop the image on the silk screen with a spray of warm water. Once the image appears, check details to make sure all areas of the design are free of emulsion. Blot both sides with newsprint and put the silk screen in a well-lighted area to dry.

5. Fasten the screen-printing clamps to a wooden table or bench with wood screws, about 8 inches apart along a straight line. Put the imaged silk screen inside the clamps and tighten. Lift up the screen and place the item to be printed on the table or bench in the area where the print will fall.

6. Lower the silk screen flat and add ink to the end of the screen nearest the clamps. Pull the ink toward you with the squeegee angled at 45 degrees toward you. Put pressure on the squeegee to force the ink through the screen onto the item to be printed. Lift the screen to check your print. Multiples may be printed in this manner.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean the screen completely after each printing session. Some inks clean up with water, while some require mineral spirits.

• If your screen does not develop properly, you may need to try making another screen, adjusting your exposure time. If your screen will not develop, with emulsion stuck in the image area, shorten your exposure time. If you screen washes out, ruining the image, increase your exposure time.

References

• Reuels.com: Introduction

Resources

• Silkscreeningsupplies.com: Screen printing starter kit