MATERIALS:
1 Screen (see note)
1 Kit containing photo emulsion and activator
1 Squeegee
1 Printing inks (see note)
1 Duct tape (a.k.a. "Duck" tape)
1 Whatever you want to screen on to
PHASE 1: PREPARING THE SCREEN
Mix up the photo emulsion according to directions on the box. Keep
in a cold, dark place (i.e. the fridge). Usually, the emulsion stays
good for about a month or two depending on brand, but in my experience,
it has a quality curve. During about the first week or two, it's too
goopy on the screen and washes out easily. Also, within the final
weeks of its life, it gets harder and is more and more difficult to
wash out. Try it out and find your best experience.
Wash the screen in water with a little mild soap. This washes out
any manufacturing residues and helps with emulsion adhesion. Set in
a breezy spot to dry.
Select the design you want to screen and photocopy it onto a transparency.
This can be done at your local Kinko's, etc. Make sure the design
looks okay and keep in mind that although silkscreening is a fairly
precise art, it is impossible to achieve perfect resolution in your
own home. Again, play around with it.
When the screen is dry, apply the emulsion to it using the squeegee.
START WITH A SMALL AMOUNT! As with anything, a little goes a long
way. Make sure to spread it on both sides of the screen and get it
into every corner. Watch out about using too much, if you use too
much it will drip all over the place and get very nasty. Once you
get a nice coating, set it in a cool, DARK place to dry (i.e. the
cupboard). Make sure it stays out of the light as the emulsion is
light-sensitive.
Get yourself a large piece of black paper and set up several bright
lights above it.
When the screen is dry, place it on the black paper (the paper should
be big enough so it covers the surface underneath the screen and absorbs
any stray light) with the "bottom" side up. Use tape to
secure the transparency (making sure it is backward) to the screen
in the area you want to use. Any part of the screen that is not exposed
to light (areas covered by the black on the transparency, taped areas)
will wash out. Try to keep the tape to the boarders. Tip: Instead
of tape, use a large piece of glass or plexiglass to press the transparency
to the screen. MAKE SURE THE GLASS IS CLEAN!
Expose the screen under the bright lights for approx. 30 min. Follow
the instructions on the emulsion.
When the time is up, wash the screen under a steady stream of lukewarm
water. The stream will wash out where the transparency blocked out
the light. It does take a little time for it to wash out, so be patient
when washing. Lightly rubbing the areas you want to wash out will
speed up the process, but be careful as you may rub out an area that
you want to keep.
When the screen is washed out, set it aside to dry. The emulsion should've
formed a plasticy coating on the fabric.
When the screen is dry, take the duct tape and tape all around the
outside edge where the screen meets the wood. This will prevent any
ink from seeping under and coming out when you don't want it to. Also,
tape anywhere else where there isn't a design as this will strengthen
the screen and make it last longer. When this is done, you are ready
to print!
PHASE 2: PRINTING
Before producing a final product, the screen must go through several
test prints to check for leaks, etc. This is done on paper. Try to
use a heavier paper as it absorbs the ink better.
Place the screen on the test paper, making sure to protect the surface
you are doing this on.
Take a spoon or similar utensil and place a fair amount of ink across
the top edge of the screen. The ink should be anywhere from thick
but flowing to peanut butter consistency
Take the squeegee and use it to drag the ink across the screen. You
should do this once the first time and then, depending on the thickness
of the ink application, you can repeat back and forth as many times
as you need.
Check the printed product: Is there ink where you don't want it? Tape
those areas (after washing the screen). Is there too little ink on
the paper? Do more passes with the squeegee. Once you are satisfied
with the product, get ready to test it on the final items you want
to screen.
FOR A POSTER: Simply repeat the test procedure on the poster paper.
FOR A TEE SHIRT, ETC: Wash the shirt first. Place a thick piece of
cardboard inside the shirt under where you want to screen so the ink
does not seep through. Make sure the shirt is flat and perform the
procedure used to make the test print.