Fascinating yet easy to perform—even for beginners—screen printing is a printing technique that involves the use of a fabric matrix. It can be applied to customize surfaces such as wood, metal, fabric, plastic, glass, ceramics, and much more! Through this article, you can discover with Keygadgets all the steps to successfully create screen printing at home with great satisfaction and without making mistakes.
Screen printing materials: here's what you need
- A frame — either wood or aluminum
- A squeegee
- Photosensitive emulsion
- Emulsion remover solvent
- An emulsion spreading tray
- Ink or acrylic paints
- Thinner
- A screen printing lamp
- Sponges, including one abrasive sponge
- A spray bottle
- Adhesive tape
- Acetate sheets for printing
Step 1: Apply the emulsion to the frame
Pour a generous amount of emulsion into the tray until half full. Position the frame vertically against a wall, tilt the tray and spread the emulsion from bottom to top. Repeat on the opposite side, then let it dry away from direct light.
Step 2: Prepare the exposure unit
Print your design in black on a transparent sheet using a laser printer. Place the frame with the etched side up on black fabric, position the acetate sheet, and place a glass plate on top for better contact.
Step 3: Expose the frame
Position the lamp about 65 cm away and expose for the time recommended by the manufacturer — around 8 minutes for a 500W halogen lamp on an A3 frame.
Step 4: Wash out the frame
Wet both sides of the frame in a tub. After a few minutes, gently remove the excess emulsion with a sponge, then let it dry away from heat.
Step 5: Mask the frame and prepare the ink
Cover the inner edges with adhesive tape. Mix 40% acrylic ink with 60% thinner.
Step 6: Print
Place your surface under the frame, apply ink at the edge, and pull the squeegee firmly from top to bottom.
Step 7: Clean the frame
Rinse immediately with water, remove the tape, and apply emulsion remover before