Step-by-Step Guide to Screen Printing

Screen printing uses a mesh silkscreen and ink to place images on paper or fabric. The benefits of screen printing are that you can choose exactly what design you want, where you want it, and what you want it on. It's also a fun hobby and, if you get good at it, you can sell your homemade designs.

Things You'll Need

• Emulsion
• Scoop coater
• Silkscreen
• Image
• Transparency paper
• Lightbulb
• Shower
• Ink
• Squeegee

Instructions

1. Pour the emulsion in the scoop coater so it is spread evenly. Sweep the scoop coater over the silkscreen and let the silkscreen dry horizontally for about 45 minutes.

2. Choose the image you want and print it on a transparency sheet. Place this sheet on a clear surface over an exposed lightbulb.

3. Place the dried silkscreen over the image. Expose the silkscreen for a few minutes over the lightbulb. The image will be burned in reverse into the silkscreen.

4. Wash out the rest of the emulsion under a high-powered shower head.

5. Place the silkscreen over the intended item you wish to screen print on. Apply ink to the silkscreen and spread it once, evenly with a squeegee. Then, in one swoop again, apply a larger amount of pressure and swipe the ink across the image with the squeegee.

6. Let the screen-printed item dry.

References

• YouTube:Learn how to screenprint