The emulsions are light-sensitive liquid chemicals that are applied to the screen, and they become more sensitive as they dry. Spread the Photo Emulsion onto the Screenįirst, users should mix the sensitizer and the emulsion thoroughly according to the directions on the containers. The screen should also be allowed to dry thoroughly.Ĥ. It is important to keep the fabric straight so that the holes in the mesh of the fabric allow the ink to pass through it evenly.Ī commercially prepared screen that has already been used should be prepared for printing by washing it thoroughly with a mild abrasive to ensure that none of the holes are clogged with dirt, grease, or previously used ink. Users should make sure that the fabric is stretched as tight as possible and is secured thoroughly with a staple gun applied all around the frame. Some people make their own mesh screens for printing by taking an old wooden picture frame and covering it tightly with an organdy silk screen fabric, or even cut-up old gauzy nylon curtains. Squeegees are available in several different sizes, and they are made from a single piece of vinyl or from a comfortable wooden holder with a rubber blade. It is used to apply and spread the ink through the screen onto the T-shirt or other object. It might be fun to choose several different colors and make several versions of the screen print art.Ī squeegee is an important tool in screen printing. Users need to buy enough screen printing ink to transfer the design to the object being printed. Users must make sure to mix enough to thoroughly cover the screen. The sensitizer and emulsion come separately and must be mixed together and applied to the screen. It is the surface on which the screen is placed to burn the image onto the screen. This flat black object should be large enough on which to place the frame. Metal screens are the most durable and stand up to many washings and printings. This is the screen through which the ink is transferred onto the object to be printed. The screen frame is usually made of wood and is very tightly covered with a fine mesh material. The object should be clean and ready to absorb the ink. The screen printing can be done on paper, on canvas, or on just about anything made from fabric, like a T-shirt, a tablecloth and napkins, a scarf, a tote bag, or simply a piece of fabric that is framed and hung as art. Once the artwork to be screen printed has been selected and prepared, it is time to gather the rest of the necessary materials and equipment.

Gather the Materials Needed for Screen Printing Whether it is printed or hand-drawn, the artwork blocks the emulsion on the screen and the emulsion is washed off the design, allowing the ink to pass through the screen and transfer the design onto the T-shirt or other object that is imprinted.Ģ.

The objective is to create what artists call a 'film positive' of the artwork, which is 100 percent black on a clear background. Beginners should create simple designs with fairly clear, thick lines since screen printing delicate, fine-lined artwork can be tricky. Original artwork can be painted directly onto a transparency or onto any piece of sturdy, clear plastic. Most copy shops do this for a very small fee.

The best way to prepare artwork to be screen printed is to have it copied onto a transparency. Choose or Create the Artwork to Be Screen Printed The process of screen printing using mesh stencils made with photosensitive chemical emulsions are explained below, with helpful tips for each step to enable any artist (whether novice or expert) to achieve success in screen printing.ġ.

Large photo emulsion screen printing