Screen printing can be considered an art form. Screen printing is a remarkable process that produces high-quality products in minutes. It also allows for incredible attention to detail. Many people shy away from screen printing T-shirts as they feel it is too difficult and should be left to professionals. We could be wrong. You could make your own beautiful t-shirt designs right from your home.
Screen Printing: What does it mean?
Screen printing, also known as Silk Screening is a technique for printing graphics or designs on a T-shirt. Instead of soaking the shirt in inks, screen printing uses thick inks which are applied to the shirt. Screen printing is usually done on paper or fabric. But, you can print on metal, plastic and glass with some specialized chemicals.
How does a Screen Printing Machine work?
The screen printing process involves creating a stencil using fine mesh screens and then pressing the paint or ink through to leave an imprint on the shirt below.
Get a 15-Day Free Trial!
Each color printed on a screen will typically require one screen. Registering the screens is necessary before printing to ensure that all colors align correctly. Once printing is started, ink is pushed through each color onto the fabric. To cure the inks, each piece must be dried thoroughly.
How to Screen Print T-Shirts at Your Home
Many people mistakenly believe that screen printing requires expensive materials and is difficult so that it cannot be done as a DIY project. Screen printing isn’t as difficult as you think.
Supplies are required
- A frame and screen can be purchased at a local art gallery.
- Photo Emulsion and Sensitizer
- Gloves
- A 150-watt bulb
- T-shirts
- Squeegees
- Silk Screen Fabric ink
- Use cardboard to hold the shirt in place
- Design Software
- One piece of glass
- Dark Room
The Process
- First, choose an image. CorelDRAW, a high-quality design software, can help you create the ideal image, slogan, or other idea to put on your shirt.
- Print the image or shape and cut it out on a piece of regular paper.
- Then, coat the frame with Photo Emulsion. As the material reacts with light, make sure to do this in a dark place. You will need to apply the photo emulsion using a squeegee. Follow the instructions on your bottle.
- Once the screen is dry, transfer your image onto the screen. Next, place a clear glass over the image to secure it. Next, use a 150-watt bulb to expose the image. Depending on your screen size, you will find the exposure time in your photo emulsion instructions. It will also tell you how far your light source should remain from your screen.
- Remove the glass and cut out your paper when the timer is over. A faint image of your picture will be visible.
- The screen can be washed with high-pressure lukewarm, tap water. Focus on the image area. The image will eventually become brighter and the rest of your emulsion will evaporate.
- Make sure your t-shirt is flat.
- The silkscreen should be placed over the shirt so the recessed side is facing up.
- Tape the paint on top of your screen.
- You can drag the paint on the image using a squeegee, but don’t apply pressure.
- Take the screen off the shirt slowly by lifting it gently.
- Hang your shirt to dry, then wash the screen immediately with cool water.
- Place a dry iron over the ink to ensure it sets.
Screen Printing: Making it Perfect
Screen printing can be used to create unique tshirts and logos for your company. You can make professional-looking clothes with the right materials.
