Silk Screening Tips: How Does Silk Screening Work?

Silk Screening - What is it?

This term is used to denote a decorative technique that uses a direct impact stencil made out to cloth or a wire mesh adhesive. The name was designated to this process because in the early days silk was used for the stencil. Today silk is rarely used.

History of Silk Screening

Adopted by the American graphic artists in the early 1900's, silk screening basically began as an industrial revolution. This process is now popular in both commercial and fine arts printing. T- shirt silk screening and cd/dvd silk screening are common.

How can I learn the process of silk screening?

The basic silk screening process involves creating a screen from a porous fabric such as nylon. Nylon is used because it can be stretched out and held in a wooden frame.

Silk screening can be learned in a number of ways, of course the course of action depends on whether you want to learn it as a hobby or to learn how to create your own promotional items that you can sell in the market. Here are some ways:

• The Written Word
  If you like reading, then books are a good way to learn silk screening. These books can be found in bookstores or craft supply shops. If you are not keen on spending money, you can borrow the book from the nearest bookstore. Books on silk screening have information about the history of silk screening as well as detailed and illustrated instructions. Ensure that the book you are taking home is recent. Doing this will help you learn the most up-to-date techniques.
• Specialized Classes
  You can enroll for various specialized classes that are offered at a few art galleries, art museums and schools. These classes cover the basic and advanced stages of silk screening. To procure information about the silk screening process and classes check online or your local telephone book. Search for galleries, museums and schools.
• Picture and Sound
  Silk screening videos are available at craft supply stores and print and dye shops. These videos make learning how to silk screen much easier because someone actually performs the process in front of you!
• The Internet
  Various online tutorials are surely a boon for people who are interested in learning the process of silk screening. Most of these sites will have an active forum with people who answer your questions.

Silk Screening - How does it work?

The traditional silk screening approach begins with a square wooden frame that is about the size of a T-shirt over which a piece of sheer fabric is stretched. When silk screening, you are required to put a thin sheet of plastic into which holes have been cut. These holes enable ink to appear on the t-shirt where you want it to be.

That done; place your t-shirt on a flat board and press the screen onto the fabric. Coat the screen with a thick ink using a sponge, this causes the ink to flow through the screen onto the T-shirt. You can follow these steps multiple times for multi-color designs. Move from the lightest color to the darkest.

There are other products that can be used such as iron-on transfers. These are available in various T- shirt shops and tourist attractions. All you need to do with these is to iron the picture onto a t-shirt. Once you do that, the designs bond to the fabric of the shirt.

Silk Screening Tips

So you have finally decided to learn silk-screening...here are some tips to help you out. Some silk screening equipment you will require have been listed below.

• Plenty of table space is what you will require first. In order to make this possible you can buy two door hinges. Screw the one half into the table and the other part into the top edge of the screens, keeping the hinge pins to secure the screen.
• Next you will need a screen that is strong. To ensure that it is, turn the screen and check that there is a thin rubber cord running in a groove.
• A squeegee is another prerequisite. When buying one make sure it is at least about ¼ inches thick.
• Now you will need some sort of a mask (you can use contact paper, freezer paper or the kind available at most art stores). Since this is an adhesive film you can cut pretty designs into it.
• For a better design, you can also use masking tape. It is advisable to use the blue painter's tape that is available at art stores. Use this to mask out the borders of your image (if required). Ideally it is better to mask along the sides of the edges because this method prevents ink from getting in under the wood and ruining the design. You can also use masking tape for other purposes like under the table and screen to register the prints correctly.
• Have a wood clay tool or bone folder to run along the edge of the masking tape to see that the area has been sealed.
• Now comes an important element in the process....ink! When just starting out, begin with water-based inks because they are easier to clean. To have a wide range of colors at your disposal, include basic colors like magenta/red, cyan/blue and yellow.
• Keep a heat gun to speed things up.
• Keep a sink or large plastic tub to wash the equipment in.