What I Need for Screenprinting at Home
Screen printing allows you to print designs and pictures onto fabric, clothing and canvas. You can perform the printing in your house by purchasing basic supplies and tools. Screen printing is an economical way to produce custom shirts and clothing rather than hiring an expensive professional printer.
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Screen
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The screen is the essential item to screen printing that regulates the ink or paint onto the printing surface. You can purchase a screen printing box at most hobby stores and online art and printing sites. The boxes include a basic wood platform for the printing piece to rest on with tightly suspended screen on top of it. The finer the screen, the more detail you are able to see from a stencil.
Image
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The image you are screen printing needs to be in black and white and have as much contrast as possible. You can change color images to black and white versions using a copy machine. The image needs to be changed into a transparency image so it can be transferred to the screen. Special transparency sheets are available at office supply stores, big box retailers and teacher supply stores. You use the transparency sheets like normal paper in a copier or printer to make the black and white image.
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Supplies
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You use fabric screen printing ink to create the image on the article. The ink is available at most major craft stores and comes in a variety of colors and sizes. A squeegee and rubber gloves allow you to apply the ink and keep your hands clean. Supplies to create the image on the screen include light-sensitive emulsion, a dark room and portable light. Other supplies that make the process easier include a spray bottle for the emulsion and cleaning supplies to clean the excess ink from the screen and squeegee.
Area
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You need an area in your home to perform the screen printing. Choose an area such as the basement, garage or back yard to prevent the ink from ruining your home furnishings. A utility sink is the ideal place for screen printing as you can wash the apparatus off when you’re done and allow it to dry without worry of staining your sink.
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