What is screen printing?
Screen printing is a process of pushing ink through a fabric mesh that has an image attached to it. It is a way of printing multiples of one image. You can screen print on to materials such as paper/card/fabric or wood. It is a straight forward process that creates some brilliant affects, each image being unique as it is printed by hand.
Materials required;
- pencil/pen
- cutting mat/ durable surface
- craft knife
- quality paper
- paint (system 3 acrylic paint & medium solution)
- screen
- squeegee
- palette knife
Screen printing step by step;
Step 1
Design your print. (keep the design simple at first, geometrical shapes are ideal).
Step 2
Using a craft knife, carefully and precisely cut out your design. Keeping the surrounding outer area intact.
Step 3
Use masking tape to tack-down the stencil on to your material. (tip - make sure the mesh of the screen and the stencil are in contact. If there are any gaps use masking tape around the edges of the stencil to stop the ink leaking through underneath).
Step 4
Position the screen carefully on to your material.
Step 5
Using a palette-knife throughly mix the colour & medium solution together (ratio 50/50) (tip - left over ink can be kept and stored for about a month or even longer when placed in a sealed air-tight container).
Step 6
Pour out, or spoon out sufficient ink on to the top of the screen in a line (make sure there is enough ink to cover the stencil evenly). Try avoid getting any ink onto any part of the stencil at this stage.
Step 7
Choose a squeegee that fits the width of the screen & stencil. Find the middle of the squeegee and hold it with both hands (placing hands either side). Hold the squeegee at an angle of 45 degrees and draw the ink down the screen in a continuous movement and with firm pressure. Do not remove the screen just yet. Instead evaluate and repeat the process again if necessary (i.e if any areas of the stencil have been missed). (tip - it is important to use the squeegee skilfully when drawing the ink down in one continuous movement whilst keeping the pressure constant. Stopping the squeegee will cause imperfection in the final print.
Step 8
Carefully remove the screen by lifting it off the material (if you drag the screen the print will smear).
Step 9
Very carefully remove the stencil by lifting it from the screen & remove any waste masking tape. The print should be left for the ink to dry throughly. It is advisable to clean the screen and squeegee immediately using water to gently clean off the residue ink. It is good practice to wash the screens and squeegees often to prolong future use. Dry ink will ruin the mesh surface possibly causing visible imperfection in any future prints.
Here is the result;
