I have been screen printing some shipping envelops for the online printmaking course, Pulling Screen Prints.
When I start a printing project, I ask myself what process would be best for the image that I want to produce? Screen printing is a good method when you want to print a lot of the same image/mark. I have used screen printing for:
Business cards
Marketing materials
Mailers
Yardage of fabric
Series of Mixed media prints
Banners
Scarves
Wrapping paper
Note cards
If you would like support and guidance in developing your screen printing skills, in the comfort of your own home or studio, then read the details and register for Pulling Screen Prints – the online printing class.
I recently purchased a Simply Screen Printing kit from Plaid. I am experimenting with home based emulsion screen printing kits as an alternative to Thermofax screens.
I did a couple of quick tests and was pleased with how the kit worked.
It comes with everything that you need to burn delicate screens
You can use photo copy on paper as your stencil
The box works as a Light unit, so you don’t have to wait for good sunlight
In 25 minutes you have a screen
The emulsion rinses out easily and you can print as soon as it dries
So after I discovered all these good things, I found that it is a discontinued item. That is good and bad. You can get the kit a a good discount right now. But you won’t be able to get more screens when the stock is gone. ( I am testing another supplier of pre-coated emulsion as an alternative for the future.)
So if you are thinking that you might like to burn delicate screens at home with this kit, buy the kit before it is too late. (I am not an affiliate.)
But in the end, it may be easier to have you screens burned by one of the many thermofax screen vendors that you can find online.
Oh…. Plaid is discontinuing their line of Simply Screen printing inks too. I really like the squirt container. It eliminates a lot of waste and mess for small runs.
If you would like to explore several methods of screen printing, then join Pulling Screen Prints, the online printmaking course.
Early bird rate is $178 and this includes the 4 weeks of lessons and a 8 piece Thermofax kit.
Though I do have a huge studio, I still work pretty small. I like art work that can be handled, that is intimate and draws you in closer.
When I took my first printmaking class, I bought a very big screen and I have not used it since. It is just too big. It is the yellow screen shown in the picture. I am glad to have it if I need it, but for my everyday screen printing projects I use much smaller screens.
The picture shows a 11″ x 14″ 11o mesh screen, a 6″x 6″ homemade screen with tulle, and an embroidery hoop screen with a drawing fluid image.
When I use Thermofax screens, I like to layer lots of small images and print quickly with a small squeegee.
What about you? What size screen prints do you like to pull? Do you have a system to maximize your space?
Window as light box for image transfer – Linda Germain
The sun and a window make a great light box for transferring drawings to new contact paper.
Here I –
taped my original sketch to the window
tape contact paper on top of the original and
Trace the original on to the contact paper
Then cut out the stencil
apply to screen and
print
This print is a compilation of many experimental screen printing stencils. The brown jug is a contact paper stencil. If you would like to explore experimental screen printing then join us in the next session of Pulling Screen Prints – the online printmaking class. Register today and save! Read the details here.
Lay them on fabric that is dampened with vinegar and water and let the magic happen. This takes a little planning and patience.
Today, I ironed the fabric and played with screen printing over the whole piece of cloth.
This is a thermofax screen that I made with a photocopy of actual grass. I also played with attaching the thermofax screen to a bigger screen to stabilize it for printing.
I have been screen printing some shipping envelops for the online printmaking course, Pulling Screen Prints.
