It is very possible to print t-shirts in a home style studio. You just need a little space planning.
You might want to print a bunch of shirts for a party or fundraiser or to share your message. You can use very simple cut paper method, as I did in the gecko and squares printed shirts above.
If you have a delicate drawing or intricate design then it is easy to use pre-coated emulsion screens, like those found at Ezcreenprint.
If you are ready to explore screen printing t-shirts and much more, then join us in the upcoming online screen printing class, Pulling Screen Prints. This is a 4 week class that creatively explores several different methods of screen printing on paper or fabric.
Screen printing can take up a lot of space if you are pulling multiple prints. And those prints need a place to dry.
I have used the floor.
I have use table tops and sheets of foam core for horizontal drying.
And recently I figured out a quick, effective system that you can use in your home/studio. It is a modified clothes line made with a long piece of cord and bull clips.
In this quick video I show you how to wrap the cord around the clip handles to hold it in place, when the cord is stretched and tied between two sturdy items.
You can tie the the print drying line between stable shelvesw or two heavily weighted chairs. (Make sure you tie the ends of the cord to something that will not fall over with the weight of your prints.)
Screen printing is great for projects where you on want to make a lot of print of the same image.
You may even have enough supplies at home to get started with a screen printing project.
9 everyday items that you can use in simple screen printing projects
1 – Tightly woven curtain sheers
You can use curtain sheers instead of regular screen printing film/mesh. Just remember big loose weave means more ink will pass through the design. So get the tightest weave you can find at the thrift store.
2 – Plastic containers
These are essential for balancing screens and inky squeegees on when you are moving from one print to the next. Go find some in the recycling bin. You will be happy that you did. Ink management is crucial when screen printing.
3 – Small round lidded containers
This type of container is great of saving little bits of ink. Sometimes it is nice to have a little ink in a little jar for a quick test print. Round containers are better than square because ink will not get stuck in the corners.
4 – Bondo scrapers
You can find these at an auto parts store. The Big Box hardware stores may have them too. These plastic scrapers can be used in place of a squeegee. They come in different sizes, which is nice because you can pick the size you need for a specific design/screen. You can even cut them to size.
5 – Old gift cards
Used up plastic gift cards can be used as a squeegee too. These are great for small designs.
6 – Cosmetic sponge
These small dense sponges are great for tiny designs. They are used in place of squeegee.
7 – Embroidery hoops
I love these in place of the standard frame. Combine these with the a piece of curtain mesh and you have yourself a very quick screen. You can use these with paper stencils, drawing fluid method and screen filler methods and you will have a reusable screen. And no scrubbing to remove materials to reclaim the screen. Less work, more printing.
8 – Mod Podge
I often struggled with screen filler. It was messy and always seemed to be too thick or too thin. I recently found that I could use Mod Podge instead. BUT make sure you use this with screens that do not need to be reclaimed. You can not wash out the Mod Podge. So this works great with embroidery hoop style screens.
9 – Big Fat waxy crayons
I use these crayons to make rubbings. This creates an experimental resist style of screen.
I move through most of my day on autopilot not really seeing what is before me. How about you?
There are times though when something crosses my path and makes me pause. These are times when I am really “seeing.”
I think as artists and printmakers that is our job and gift in life. We get to see things that most others do not notice. Then through our art making we help others to see differently too.
What do you think?
Sometimes I forget that seeing things differently is my gift and that it is my job to share it. But it only takes a few moments in nature or even a city street to remind me.
I challenge you to be open to seeing things differently today. I don’t think you can force it, just be open to it. I think something magic will happen for you.
One way artists see differently is we see shadows, shapes, textures and lines when others see things as whole objects. If you are building your artistic eyes, look for those elements instead of seeing objects.
We then use these elements of design to create something new. In screen printing we can focus on shapes and lines to create a matrix to pull lots of impressions of the same image. Then we can share that image with lots of people.
Here I took a drawing and photocopied it, reduced it and printed it on a transparency so I could burn an EZscreen for printing cards and mixed media art pieces.
This is a simplified emulsion based process that uses sunlight to harden the emulsion coated mesh in all the areas except for where the black design is. Then the screen is soaked in water and the soft emulsion under the design washes away. This leaves your with a screen for printing.
The blue screens above are examples of some images that I turned into screens. I use these for making cards, tea towels, napkins, and to add a detailed line drawing to mixed media work.
