How to Make Large Print Shirts
You can make shirts with a large print on them using the silk screen printing technique, also known as screen printing. For each step of the design and printing process, you will use tools and materials geared toward a large print. The large format materials are a little more expensive than those for a standard size print, but the dynamic impression made by a large print shirt is well worth the time, effort and expense.
Things You'll Need
- Computer
- Word processing or graphic program
- Large format printer, optional
- Film positive
- Silk screen frame with mesh 23 x 31 inches
- Photo emulsion
- Squeegee
- Foam rubber four inch thick
- Tape
- Halide light
- Glass 1/4 inch thick
- Newsprint
- Screen printing ink
- Shirt or T-shirt
Instructions
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Create a large-format design to print on a shirt. Open a word or graphic file on a computer at tabloid size, 11 by 17 inches, and save it as a gray scale image. It may be vertically- or horizontally-oriented. Use any combination of typography, illustration, photo or graphic elements to make your design. Save the design.
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Print a film positive of your design by printing the image on a piece of clear vellum paper. Print the design to clear vellum at home if you have a large-format printer. If not, save the design to a CD, take it to a copy or computer shop with a large-format laser printer, and ask them to print the design on clear vellum. You may email the design to them if you prefer.
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In a dark area, coat a 23 by 31 inch silk screen frame on both sides with photo emulsion using a squeegee or a stiff piece of cardboard. Spread the emulsion evenly on both sides of the frame. If the emulsion drips, remove excess emulsion. Place in a dark area to dry overnight.
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Perform this step in the dark. Cut a piece of 4-inch foam rubber to fit inside the silk screen frame. Place the foam on a flat surface and fit the silk screen frame over it face down. Put the film positive face down on the back of the frame. Center it, and tape it in place. Put the thick glass over the film positive.
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Hang the halide 20 inches over the glass, film positive and silk screen frame, and turn it on. Expose the silk screen for eight to ten minutes, or the exposure time recommended in the photo emulsion instructions. Turn off the light, and spray the screen on both sides with warm water under medium pressure until the image develops. Blot both sides of the frame with newsprint. Set the imaged silk screen frame in a well-lit place to dry.
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Fasten screen printing clamps to a flat wooden surface or table, along a straight line about 12 inches apart. Put the imaged silk screen into the clamps and tighten.
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Place a shirt or T-shirt on the flat surface so that the silk screen can be pulled down over it. Position the shirt so the print will fall on the area of the shirt to be printed. Add screen printing ink to the end of the frame by the clamps. Position yourself on the other end of the silk screen frame and pull the ink towards you with the squeegee, forcing the ink through the frame to print the shirt. Multiple prints may be made.
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Clean the silk screen frame and squeegee after printing. Let the prints dry on the shirt.
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Tips & Warnings
Designs with photographic images should be printed to clear vellum with a 55 lines-per-inch screen setting. This setting can be indicated in Photoshop from the print dialog box.
Although your design is prepared in black and white, you can use any color silk screen ink when you print.
Use water based silk screen ink for fabric from Speedball or Versatex for ease of use. Iron the shirts on cotton setting when the ink is dry to make the print wash fast.
