Screen Printing: Instruction Guide
Screen Printing: The Simpler, Less Expensive Method
Screen printing is a method that many people use to recreate designs on t-shirts, pillow cases, blankets, etc. Some big companies use complex machines in order to carry out this process, but there are easier ways. The method of screen printing described in this set of instructions is a much simpler method that takes less time and money and generally anyone can do it.
Materials: • Computer/Printer • Embroidery Hoop • Mesh/Sheer Fabric • Pencil • Water Resistant Glue
• Paint Brush • T-shirt • Fabric/Screen Printing Ink • Cardboard/Notecard • Iron
Step 1: Create An Image
The very first thing to do is choose an image to recreate. This can either be drawn out by hand or created/found on the computer. Print this image, but make sure it is the actual size that it should be on the t-shirt. This means it must be smaller than the embroidery hoop, but not bigger than the t-shirt, and not too hard to trace by hand.
Step 2: Build A Screen
Next, take the mesh/sheer fabric and stretch it over the embroidery hoop, making sure it is tight and has no overlaps. Then screw the hoop shut as tight as possible so that the fabric will not slip out of place.
Step 3: Creating A Stencil
Once the screen is built, it is time to create a stencil. Lay the image of choice down and place the screen from step 2 on top of it so that the fabric is touching the image. Use a pencil to careful trace the image onto the screen. Once the image is completely traced, remove the image and make sure the outline in pencil is easy to see.
Step 4: Prepare The Screen
The next step is one of the most important steps! Flip the screen over so that the fabric is not touching the table. Use the water resistant glue (Mod Podge) and a paint brush to fill in all the places around the image that are not supposed to show up on the shirt. This is called “negative space” and if a spot is missed
Screen printing is a method that many people use to recreate designs on t-shirts, pillow cases, blankets, etc. Some big companies use complex machines in order to carry out this process, but there are easier ways. The method of screen printing described in this set of instructions is a much simpler method that takes less time and money and generally anyone can do it.
Materials: • Computer/Printer • Embroidery Hoop • Mesh/Sheer Fabric • Pencil • Water Resistant Glue
• Paint Brush • T-shirt • Fabric/Screen Printing Ink • Cardboard/Notecard • Iron
Step 1: Create An Image
The very first thing to do is choose an image to recreate. This can either be drawn out by hand or created/found on the computer. Print this image, but make sure it is the actual size that it should be on the t-shirt. This means it must be smaller than the embroidery hoop, but not bigger than the t-shirt, and not too hard to trace by hand.
Step 2: Build A Screen
Next, take the mesh/sheer fabric and stretch it over the embroidery hoop, making sure it is tight and has no overlaps. Then screw the hoop shut as tight as possible so that the fabric will not slip out of place.
Step 3: Creating A Stencil
Once the screen is built, it is time to create a stencil. Lay the image of choice down and place the screen from step 2 on top of it so that the fabric is touching the image. Use a pencil to careful trace the image onto the screen. Once the image is completely traced, remove the image and make sure the outline in pencil is easy to see.
Step 4: Prepare The Screen
The next step is one of the most important steps! Flip the screen over so that the fabric is not touching the table. Use the water resistant glue (Mod Podge) and a paint brush to fill in all the places around the image that are not supposed to show up on the shirt. This is called “negative space” and if a spot is missed
Cited: G, Kristy. "Cheap Screen Printing Tutorial." Web log post. Live Journal. 1 June 2004. Web. 17 Sept. 2009. .