Comments on How to Make a Silk Screen Frame

We have made a silk screen frame from an old cupboard door, the ones with the center insert. Or, if you need a larger one, use an old window frame without the glass.

We have made a silk screen frame from an old cupboard door, the ones with the center insert. Or, if you need a larger one, use an old window frame without the glass.

Take a two by two (long enough so that you can saw all needed pieces from it) and using a table saw, put a groove down the middle the width of the string you're using to tighten the screen. Then using a radial saw, cut 45-degree angles to make the frame.

Here is a tip on how to apply pre-cut silk to the frame with contact cement. You will need to leave around 4 inches from each side of the fabric. Mark the existing frame on the silk with a marker but take into consideration that silkscreen does STRETCH. Apply glue on the screen and frame once (let it dry till when you place your finger it feels dry). When it does dry, repeat the process. And now take a wooden spoon or something similar and place a corner of the silk to the one corner and press it hard with that spoon. Make sure that you DO NOT make contact with other parts (you can place meat paper or anything that will keep things apart). When one corner is done diagonally, do the same with the other corner but try to use force to stretch the silk to the desired hardness.Pull the paper out from the third corner and apply the pressure and try to stretch the screen again. Apply the pressure again so the contact cement (glue) will make a better bond. If you see a light spot, this means that the glue is not holding anything. Apply pressure again and rub down with lots of force. Repeat the same thing with the fourth corner and anything inbetween. Leave a stretched screen for 24 hours to bond together. The next day cut off the extra silk. Be sure that you are applying glue in a well ventilated space. If you are suffering from asthma or any other difficulty, do not get yourself into the silk screen printing.

Here is a tip on how to apply pre-cut silk to the frame with contact cement. You will need to leave around 4 inches from each side of the fabric. Mark the existing frame on the silk with a marker but take into consideration that silkscreen does STRETCH. Apply glue on the screen and frame once (let it dry till when you place your finger it feels dry). When it does dry, repeat the process. And now take a wooden spoon or something similar and place a corner of the silk to the one corner and press it hard with that spoon. Make sure that you DO NOT make contact with other parts (you can place meat paper or anything that will keep things apart). When one corner is done diagonally, do the same with the other corner but try to use force to stretch the silk to the desired hardness.Pull the paper out from the third corner and apply the pressure and try to stretch the screen again. Apply the pressure again so the contact cement (glue) will make a better bond. If you see a light spot, this means that the glue is not holding anything. Apply pressure again and rub down with lots of force. Repeat the same thing with the fourth corner and anything inbetween. Leave a stretched screen for 24 hours to bond together. The next day cut off the extra silk. Be sure that you are applying glue in a well ventilated space. If you are suffering from asthma or any other difficulty, do not get yourself into the silk screen printing.

Take a two by two (long enough so that you can saw all needed pieces from it) and using a table saw, put a groove down the middle the width of the string you're using to tighten the screen. Then using a radial saw, cut 45-degree angles to make the frame.

I live on an island in Maine and I don't have easy access to art supply stores or lumber yards. I am also not adept at carpentry. I was once stuck without a frame when the muse struck. I used a wooden embroidery hoop to secure the fabric. This is good for making small prints.