Mass produce your own print media that is both unique and consistent.
Screen printing at home can open a new world of print media possibilities. You can use this process to make artistic prints, multimedia and layered prints, personalized cards and invitations and interesting photographic adaptations. Once you get the process down, the speed and amount of prints you can make will grow as your ideas for using this medium grow. Not to mention, once you get the basic equipment, the only expenses will be more ink and paper, which are easy to find and reasonably priced at most art supply stores.
Instructions
1. Attach the screen bracket to one of the long edges of your work table with screws. There are two holes on one side of the bracket that allow for drilling. It can be placed on whichever long edge you want. Be sure to place the screen bracket on the table with enough room for the screen to be secured without hanging over the table.
2. Prepare the design you wish to print by finalizing it with a dark ink pen, or by making a photocopy, for easy visibility. The easiest designs are high contrast black and white images, and can be based on photographs or drawings. As long as it is high contrast, you can use any design. If you require more detail or wish to add more color layers you will need separate images of each intended layer. This will require repeating this process for each layer, but the prepared design will become more and more specific to a layer. For example, if you prepared a drawing of a flower, you may choose to do the leaves in a separate color run.
3. Place the screen face down on you work surface and slightly elevate it with bottle caps or shims. Slide the paper with your chosen image under the elevated screen, checking that they do not make contact. Apply clear packaging tape to the inside of the screen around your image to cut down the printing area.
4. Use the screen filler (blocking liquid) to paint your design on the inside of the screen. Paint only the area you wish to remain white after printing. Blocking fluid typically comes in blue or brown so that you can see what you are doing. Allow the filler to dry thoroughly, in front of a fan if necessary, but drying should only take a few minutes.
5. Secure the screen to the screen bracket with the tightening bolt. Let the screen, now secured, lie on the table. Apply masking tape to the table around the corners of the screen so that you know where it will fall each time you print. Lift the screen, place your printing paper within that taped parameter and apply a tape border around the paper as well so that each time you print the paper will be properly placed.
6. Lay the screen over your paper and spoon some ink onto the screen, preferably at the top of the image. A little goes a long way, but the first run you make will create a "proof" that will show you any adjustments that need to be made to ink quantity or design. Use the squeegee to draw the ink down from the top to the bottom of the printing area. Apply good, consistent pressure the whole time.
7. Inspect your proof for any adjustments that need to be made to amount of ink used, missing detail to be filled in with screen filler or amount of pressure applied when you used the squeegee. When you are satisfied with a proof you can pull as many copies as you like, or experiment with printing on different types of paper.
8. Wash the screen thoroughly with a spray nozzle, detergent and a bristle brush.
