Introduction: (Kind Of) Screen Printing on the Cheap
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About: I'm ridiculously picky about some things and sometimes the only way to get stuff the way I want it is to do it myself. Other times I'm just procrastinating.
Usually, if I want a design on a t-shirt I will paint it, however there came a time when I found myself in a position of having volunteered to make 30 or so t-shirts with the same design and could not be bothered to paint them all freehand so I researched screen printing and have put this method together with what things I had to hand/were cheap
The only thing I had to buy for this was some black fabric paint (I had other colours but I wanted black!) and a sponge.
So, here goes...
The only thing I had to buy for this was some black fabric paint (I had other colours but I wanted black!) and a sponge.
So, here goes...
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
You will need:
Something for the screen
This needs to be a thin mesh. I used tights because that's what I had in the house.
Something to hold your screen
I used an embroidery hoop but you can use a wooden frame and staples
A design
Unless you're very good with a paint brush and thick paint, go for something simple!
Something to block the design with
You can use Mod Podge or PVA or special stuff but I used acrylic so I could see where it was
Paintbrushes
Mine were ones I bought in the pound shop
Fabric Paint
In the colour of your choice. You could probably use other paint but it might clog your screen up.
A sponge
It doesn't need to be duck shaped like mine, that's just what Wilkinson had...
Something for the screen
This needs to be a thin mesh. I used tights because that's what I had in the house.
Something to hold your screen
I used an embroidery hoop but you can use a wooden frame and staples
A design
Unless you're very good with a paint brush and thick paint, go for something simple!
Something to block the design with
You can use Mod Podge or PVA or special stuff but I used acrylic so I could see where it was
Paintbrushes
Mine were ones I bought in the pound shop
Fabric Paint
In the colour of your choice. You could probably use other paint but it might clog your screen up.
A sponge
It doesn't need to be duck shaped like mine, that's just what Wilkinson had...
Step 2: Create Your Screen
I forgot to take a picture of this before I painted BUT
Stretch your pair of tights or whatever screen material you are using over your embroidery hoop and trim so you don't have excess bits of tights everywhere getting in the paint!
Lay your assembled screen on to your design and paint the negative of the design with your acrylic (the bits you DON'T want on your final product)
For this I went round a few things I had made on Illustrator. Fancy adobe program however not required. Word, paint or anything else would do, or you can draw your design, or if you're a daredevil you can go freehand.
At this point try not to get too much paint on your embroidery hoops or the person you've borrowed them from will not be too happy!
When I did my first screen I pulled the paper away from the paint before it was dry, this turned out to be a clever move, on my third I left it attached to the paper and had a bugger of a job trying to fix it up. Perhaps you could put some cling film underneath so it sticks to that instead of paper? I haven't tried that way though so don't blame me if it goes wrong!
When you peel away the screen from the design you will only be left with a very thin amount of paint on your screen. At this point, I tend to turn it over and apply a thick layer of acrylic on the back.
Top tip: leave your acrylic out for a while so it thickens up, it's easier to get a nice coat on the tights!
Top tip number 2: don't leave your acrylic out where your cat can walk in it...
Stretch your pair of tights or whatever screen material you are using over your embroidery hoop and trim so you don't have excess bits of tights everywhere getting in the paint!
Lay your assembled screen on to your design and paint the negative of the design with your acrylic (the bits you DON'T want on your final product)
For this I went round a few things I had made on Illustrator. Fancy adobe program however not required. Word, paint or anything else would do, or you can draw your design, or if you're a daredevil you can go freehand.
At this point try not to get too much paint on your embroidery hoops or the person you've borrowed them from will not be too happy!
When I did my first screen I pulled the paper away from the paint before it was dry, this turned out to be a clever move, on my third I left it attached to the paper and had a bugger of a job trying to fix it up. Perhaps you could put some cling film underneath so it sticks to that instead of paper? I haven't tried that way though so don't blame me if it goes wrong!
When you peel away the screen from the design you will only be left with a very thin amount of paint on your screen. At this point, I tend to turn it over and apply a thick layer of acrylic on the back.
Top tip: leave your acrylic out for a while so it thickens up, it's easier to get a nice coat on the tights!
Top tip number 2: don't leave your acrylic out where your cat can walk in it...
Step 3: Go to Sleep
Or read a book, or watch your paint dry...
Step 4: Repaint Your Screen
At this point your screen with it's first layer of paint should be nice and dry.
It's worth then going over your paintwork, not that it isn't wonderful already which I'm sure it is, just that tights are not the easiest things to paint and you may have some little holes in the negative.
It's worth painting on both sides to get a good thick resilient negative
It's worth then going over your paintwork, not that it isn't wonderful already which I'm sure it is, just that tights are not the easiest things to paint and you may have some little holes in the negative.
It's worth painting on both sides to get a good thick resilient negative
Step 5: Wait, Again
I'm afraid this is not an instructable for the impatient!
You need to let your screen dry or you will screw up anything you try to print.
But don't worry, you're nearly there.
Use the time to collect lots of things that DEFINITELY need some screen printed design on them.
You need to let your screen dry or you will screw up anything you try to print.
But don't worry, you're nearly there.
Use the time to collect lots of things that DEFINITELY need some screen printed design on them.
Step 6: You're Ready to Print!
When your screen is dry you are ready to print! This is remarkably simple.
Pour a little of your fabric paint into a shallow dish so you can get to it easily with your sponge
Place your screen on your item of fabric that you wish to print, with a bit of cardboard between layers of fabric so that it doesn't bleed through
Sponge the paint on to the screen and over the design
When you've gone over the whole design, you're ready to see your results!!
Peel off your screen very carefully, you can use it again as is if you're doing a large batch all at once but if you don't want to use it again right then but will do in the future it's worth giving it a rinse before it dries and clogs up the whole thing.
You should have your design!
Pour a little of your fabric paint into a shallow dish so you can get to it easily with your sponge
Place your screen on your item of fabric that you wish to print, with a bit of cardboard between layers of fabric so that it doesn't bleed through
Sponge the paint on to the screen and over the design
When you've gone over the whole design, you're ready to see your results!!
Peel off your screen very carefully, you can use it again as is if you're doing a large batch all at once but if you don't want to use it again right then but will do in the future it's worth giving it a rinse before it dries and clogs up the whole thing.
You should have your design!
Step 7: Make More!
Now you've made your screen you can make as many items as you want with that design, as long as you care for your screen.
Now go show off your new skills.
The finish won't be perfect, but I like the retro/distressed look!
Now go show off your new skills.
The finish won't be perfect, but I like the retro/distressed look!