Central Art Supply


Tutorials

How to Screenprint

Materials you will need:

Screen
Screen 		Squeegee
Squeegee
Photo Emulsion Kit
Photo Emulsion Kit (Photo Emulsion and Photo Synthesizer) 		Paint
Paint (Textile if you are doing t-shirts)
Photoflood Light
Photoflood Light 		Lamp
Lamp with Reflecting Tray
Photo Transparency
Photo Transparency 		Mixing Supplies
Mixing Supplies (Cheap brush and tray)


Instructions:

  1. Mix emulsion with sensitizer - you can make a smaller batch if you mix the parts in the same ratio as described on the package. You'll have to add water to the sensitizer as described on the package.
    Instructions Instructions
  2. Spread mixture onto your screen, making sure to cover more than the size of your image. Use the squeegee to get a nice even coat.
    Instructions Instructions
  3. Let the screen dry in a dark place (a fan can help speed up the process).
  4. Once dry, place the photo transparency reverse side up on the screen (screen side up) and place a piece of glass on top to make sure it is flush.
  5. Place the light about 12 inches above you image for about 10 minutes.
    Instructions
  6. Now the area around your image should be "burned" in.
  7. Using a strong, concentrated water source, like the showerhead, wash away the stencil of your image. You may have to massage some of the hard to wash away areas, but don't scrub too hard.
    Instructions
  8. You should be able to see your image through the screen if you hold it up to the light.
  9. Now let it dry again.
  10. Place the screen on top of the shirt or paper you're going to screenprint on screen-side down
  11. Put a healthy amount of paint of the edge of the screen (make sure you're still on the blocked out part).
    Instructions
  12. Use the squeegee and pull the paint down hard. Make a pull in the opposite direction, making sure the paint is even. The less strokes, the better your clarity, but you have to make sure to make hard strokes or your image will be light.
    Instructions Instructions
  13. Peel the screen off and survey the damage.
    Instructions
  14. You've got your image! If you've done a t-shirt, you'll have to bake the image in by using an iron for several minutes on it.
  15. Wash the paint off the screen, then use bleach to clean the emulsifier off.
    Instructions


Stencil Technique:

  1. Make a stencil (paper is okay, adhesive paper would be better).
    Stencil
  2. Squeegee the paint through the stencil.
    Stencil
  3. Voila
    Stencil