Step-by-Step Screen Printing
Screen printing is a process of applying a design to a shirt, transforming a plain, mono-color t-shirt into a new design, which can range from the very simple to complex designs that require the application of multiple stencils. While large scale production of t-shirts is done through mechanical screening, if you are looking to make your own t-shirt design cheaply, you can do your own screen printing at home, using some inexpensive materials to transfer fabric paints to your shirt.
Things You'll Need
- T-shirt
- Paper
- Printer or art supplies
- Sheer fabric
- Embroidery hoop
- Fabric shears
- Pencil
- PVA glue
- Paintbrush
- Fabric paints
- Art sponge
- Grease paper
- Iron
Instructions
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1
Design your T-shirt, and either print the design on a piece of paper or hand draw it on the paper with art supplies.
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2
Cut a square of sheer fabric that is larger than the embroidery hoop, then secure the fabric in the hoop.
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3
Place the hoop over the design on the paper, and trace the design onto the fabric with a pencil.
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4
Paint around the outer edges of any areas you want colored in with PVA glue and allow it to dry. The glue will serve as a barrier to prevent paint from passing through the fabric onto your shirt in areas you don't want it to, meaning you want to paint over any area near a point that will be colored in that you do not want colored in.
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5
Place a piece of cardboard inside the shirt, to prevent ink from transferring through the side you are dying and onto the other side as well. Place the hoop over the shirt so your design is positioned where you want it.
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6
Apply fabric paint with a sponge, dabbing over the area you want colored in. The PVA will serve as a stencil so that the paint holds your desired shape.
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7
Remove the hoop, and allow the shirt to dry.
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8
Place a piece of grease paper over the painted area, and iron over the paper.
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References
- Photo Credit Normally/Photodisc/Getty Images
