How to Do Silkscreening
- 1). Take your design, and turn it into a negative on a computer graphics program. Make sure the parts that you do not want printed are blacked out on your screen, while the parts you do want printed are left open.
- 2). If you wish to make a design with more than one color, black out everything except the things in the same color. Do this for each color you wish to print.
- 3). Print your design onto the transparencies.
- 4). Pour the photo emulsion into the photo-emulsion coater. Angle the coater onto the silk-screen, and run it down the length of your silk screen.
- 5). Allow the photo emulsion to dry in a clean place.
- 6). Set up a silk-screening light box. They are usually made from plywood and fluorescent lights. See the Resources section for more information on how to make one.
- 7). Sandwich the transparency between the coated photo emulsion screen (emulsion side down), and the top of the lightbox.
- 8). Turn the lightbox on. The length of time you leave it on will depend on the lightbox, so test a screen first. Do this on a different screen for each color you wish to print.
- 9). Run the screen under a strong blast of running water to clear out the design on your screen.
- 10
Insert the screen into a set of table clamps attached to a table. - 11
Pour silk screening ink onto the top edge of the screen. - 12
Take the squeegee and press it against the screen, pulling it toward you to prep the screen. You will want a thin coat of paint to start. - 13
Lift the screen and make a test print by inserting a sheet of paper under the screen and running the squeegee across the screen. - 14
Use blue tape to create a set of registration marks where you can line up your prints. - 15
Lift the screen again, remove the sheet and insert what you wish to print under the screen along the registration marks. - 16
Pull the squeegee across the screen once, firmly and tightly. - 17
Lift your screen, remove your printed item and set it to dry. - 18
Remove the screens, and repeat Steps 12 through 17 with any new screens and colors once each layer is dry.
Source...