DIY Screenprinting Screen (for under $5)
Nov. 18th, 2007 11:42 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
tiffanyharvey.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
craftgrrlWell craftgrrls, I am sad to say that I have decided to step down as moderator. After 2 years I feel like it is time to move on & put the extra time towards my creations. This is not a final good-bye, I will be dropping by from time to time, but will not be as active in the community. I will still be posting all of my crafts in my journal, and am leaving you in the very capable hands of my fellow mods ;)
But first, I wanted to leave you with a tutorial!
Here is a step-by-step guide to build your own screen for screenprinting. I hate seeing people shell out $20 for something you can easily build for under $5. (I've tried the embroidery hoop method, but would not do again)
1) First, you need to buy some canvas stretchers (art supply store, near the canvases). You will need two bars for the height and two for the width of your screen. They run about $.50 - $1 each (up to $2 for really large sizes).
I recommend getting at least 6 inches larger than your design (both ways) ~ why so much? The stretchers are about 2 inches wide, and the measurements given are for the outside dimensions. Adding 6" will give you a 1" border around your design, and you may want more.
2) Slide the bars together at the corners. You may want a hammer to help align them.
3) Now you will need the fabric for your screen, as well as a staple gun. The fabric should be sheer, without noticable holes. I use organza, which is about $8-10 a yard, but that will make a lot of screens.
Cut off a piece of fabric a little larger than your screen. Staple the fabric down at one side, at the center of the bar. (The bars usually have a ridge along the edge, which is a nice guide for your staples) At the opposite end of the screen, pull the fabric taut & staple at the center of the bar. Repeat for the other two bars.
4) Pick any side of your screen and add a staple on each side of the center staple (about a staple's width apart). Repeat on the opposite side of the screen, pulling the fabric taut. Repeat on the other two bars. Keep working around the screen, in this way, working from the centers to the corners of the screen.
5) Once you have stapled all the way to the corners, I like to add another staple across the corner just to make sure those bars aren't going anywhere. Trim off the excess fabric.
6) You will want to wrap the front & sides of the screen with duct tape to keep any paint from squishing out during printing. It also helps hide those ugly staples! Tape all the way up to the edge of your design, which also helps fill in the negative space.
Now, what do you do with your screen?
Here is a great tutorial on preparing your design and painting out the negative space with Mod Podge. (I would not recommend using the embroidery hoop or nylon)
Feeling a little more ambitious?
Here is a tutorial on burning the image into your screen using photo sensitive emulsion.
But first, I wanted to leave you with a tutorial!
Here is a step-by-step guide to build your own screen for screenprinting. I hate seeing people shell out $20 for something you can easily build for under $5. (I've tried the embroidery hoop method, but would not do again)
1) First, you need to buy some canvas stretchers (art supply store, near the canvases). You will need two bars for the height and two for the width of your screen. They run about $.50 - $1 each (up to $2 for really large sizes).
I recommend getting at least 6 inches larger than your design (both ways) ~ why so much? The stretchers are about 2 inches wide, and the measurements given are for the outside dimensions. Adding 6" will give you a 1" border around your design, and you may want more.
2) Slide the bars together at the corners. You may want a hammer to help align them.
3) Now you will need the fabric for your screen, as well as a staple gun. The fabric should be sheer, without noticable holes. I use organza, which is about $8-10 a yard, but that will make a lot of screens.
Cut off a piece of fabric a little larger than your screen. Staple the fabric down at one side, at the center of the bar. (The bars usually have a ridge along the edge, which is a nice guide for your staples) At the opposite end of the screen, pull the fabric taut & staple at the center of the bar. Repeat for the other two bars.
4) Pick any side of your screen and add a staple on each side of the center staple (about a staple's width apart). Repeat on the opposite side of the screen, pulling the fabric taut. Repeat on the other two bars. Keep working around the screen, in this way, working from the centers to the corners of the screen.
5) Once you have stapled all the way to the corners, I like to add another staple across the corner just to make sure those bars aren't going anywhere. Trim off the excess fabric.
6) You will want to wrap the front & sides of the screen with duct tape to keep any paint from squishing out during printing. It also helps hide those ugly staples! Tape all the way up to the edge of your design, which also helps fill in the negative space.
Now, what do you do with your screen?
Here is a great tutorial on preparing your design and painting out the negative space with Mod Podge. (I would not recommend using the embroidery hoop or nylon)
Feeling a little more ambitious?
Here is a tutorial on burning the image into your screen using photo sensitive emulsion.
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