Today I cut a paper stencil of a whale and printed many variations of that one stencil.

I used copy paper to make the stencil because it is easy to cut. If I like the design then I might cut another stencil out of Tyvek®. That way it will be reusable.

I printed the watery background first. I used transparent base to create the unpredictable swirls in the impression

I had fun dribbling the ink on to the screen to see what kind of impression I could get.

I tried leaving a horizon line, going beyond the blue and even other papers.

I like to approach screen printing with the idea of discovering what is possible. How can I combine materials and process to make a unique expression?

Get support from an online class. Check out the current offerings on the printmaking workshop page.

When I screen print, I still prefer unique prints and prints with variations.

So I:

• print freely with eyeball registration
• start without a plan
• play with overlapping shapes
• print on different and found papers
• embrace surprises
• see the process as a tool to serve my expression

I like the crisp lines that are characteristic of screen printing. I love when I can convert a delicate drawing into a screen and then use it in many different types of work. The brush below is is a line drawing that I made into an emulsion screen.

I especially like the details and photographic imagery available with emulsion based printing. This print is derived from a photo of the family cottage.

We will:

• start with paper stencils and a traditional screen, then
• make lots of little stencils with hoop screens
• discover the benefits of using screen filler and drawing fluid to make imagery/screens
• create registration systems that fit your style and needs
• learn to use photo editing to create emulsion screen with EZscreens.

Get support from an online class. Check out the current offerings on the printmaking workshop page.

Screen Printing can be done in your home studio with a few tools and a bit of planning.

You may even have some items that make screen printing at home easier. Here are 10 tools for screen printing:

1. Masking tape and clear packing tape is great for blocking of areas of the screen. It saves on clean up time.
2. Wax Paper – is good for paper stencils and testing out design ideas.
3. Old t-shirts torn into small rags are essential for taking care of inky fingers and tools.
4. Small plastic containers are great for resting your ink coated squeeze on
5. An old book is great for printing on the pages. This allows you to print with abandon and not be worried about precious and expensive print paper.
6. Plastic page protector is helpful for creating simple registration systems.
7. Wooden sticks are good for scooping ink and medium out of the jar.
8. Bondo scrapers and old credit cards can work as squeezes for small screens.
9. Round embroidery hoops function as stretcher frames for quick impressions.
10. And small round plastic containers are great for saving small amounts of ink.

Get support from an online class. Check out the current offerings on the printmaking workshop page.

Most folks are familiar with screen printing. We all have screen printed t-shirts and bags and things.

The basic idea is to attach a design to a finely woven screen and then pull ink through the design.

If you have the right inks and screens you can print on paper, fabric, ceramics, glass, wood and more.

The design is a stencil and can be made from paper, contact paper, screen filler, acrylic paint or light sensitive emulsion.

Screen is usually stretched on a frame, but it can be framed with duct tape, as with EZscreens or stretched on an embroidery hoop. Get a free tutorial on making paper stencils and embroidery hoop screens below.

We will:

• stretch screens
• print on paper or fabric
• use paper stencils
• explore drawing fluid and screen filler type stencils and
• make emulsion based screen with pre-coated screens like the EZScreen.

Get support from an online class. Check out the current offerings on the printmaking workshop page.