Lesson One: Preparation
Introduction
Getting to Know Your Supplies
Creating an Image to Print
Transferring Your Image Onto the Screen
First, we will talk about how to create the perfect image for screen printing. I’ll show you many examples of what will work and what won’t work so that you will have a crystal clear idea about what type of image will be perfect for your first attempt at screen printing. We will talk about drawing original images for screen printing and we’ll also discuss how to appropriate images you find elsewhere, in case you aren’t comfortable with drawing. After we have our images, I’ll teach you how to transfer your line drawings or Xerox copies of images onto the screen itself.
Lesson Two: Creating Our Screen
Method One: Drawing Fluid and Screen Filler
Method Two: Screen Filler Only
During this lesson, we will turn the drawings on our screens into useable screens that are ready for printing! I will teach you the super fun processes of using drawing fluid and screen filler to make our images a reality on our screens. You’ll learn how to paint with drawing fluid to create your image, and then I’ll show you the best way to coat your screen with screen filler. You will learn two different methods of getting images onto your screen, and you will be able to choose which one works best for you. Our screens will be all ready for ink and printing during the next lesson!
Lesson Three: Printing
Choosing the Right Fabrics to Print On
Setting Up a Printing Station
Printing
Heat Setting
The magic of printing will happen this week! Once we have our screens ready, we will talk about how to choose the right fabrics to print on. We’ll set up a printing station and get to work printing our images onto t-shirts and tote bags! You will be amazed at how much fun it is to pull your very first print with a squeegee! To wrap things up this week, we will talk about how to heat set our designs so they won’t come off in the wash.
Lesson Four: Reclaiming the Screen + Taking it Further
How to Reclaim Your Screen
Reusing Your Screen
Stretching Screens
Printing More Than One Color
Color Mixing
Conclusion
Think of this lesson as “extra credit.” I will show you how to take the process even further than you imagined! We will talk first about how to reclaim our screens for re-use. (You can use a screen over and over again as you get tired of your images!) We’ll also talk about how to line things up for printing in more than one color. And finally, I will share my special trick for mixing ink (and paint) colors to get the exact shades that you desire.
Screen printing is an art form that is full of possibilities, and I can’t wait to share them all with you!