DIY Silkscreening

Here are helpful ideas and instructions on how to Screenprint without a fancy get-up.   You can add your own sparkles though.  This is from my experience so whatever you do that works for you is right.  Also, I have done this many times and without a power washer.  However, that means you REALLY can't let the pigment sit in your screen, you can't get it out if it starts to dry. 

There are always multiple ways to do something.  Please share if you have other tips or let me know if you have questions!

Exposing and Washing without a darkroom or exposure unit….WHAT?!

Coat screen at night (ULANO QT-X from Blick)
Put a fan on it and then wrap in double black plastic bags to store under a cabinet, under your bed, or wherever it’s dark.

For Exposure:
Have 1 clamp lamp with bug light (yellow) to see.
Have 1 clamp lamp with 250 watt bulb for exposure.


Exposure times From: http://www.reuels.com/reuels/Silk-Screen-Printing-Instructions.html

Screen Size . .  Lamp Height . . Exposure Time
8"x 10". . . . . . .12 inches . . . . . 10 minutes
10"x14". . . . . . 12 inches . . . . . 10 minutes
12 "x 18" . . . .. 15 inches . . . . . 16 minutes
16"x2O" . . . . . 17 inches . . . . . 20 minutes
18"x2O" . . . . . 17 inches . . . . . 20 minutes

What you need to expose:

Transparency with your image (black tones only)
Foam (in the well of screen) Buy from JoAnn
Glass (from frame or glass company for safe edges)

Order:
1. Foam on the inside of the screen. This means it should fit inside the frame.
2. Transparency on the flat side (opposite side of where the foam is).
3. Glass on top of transparency. This causes the image to lay perfectly flat since there's no vacuum.

Rig your set up for clamp lamp to be positioned parallel to your screen with proper distance (safely)
You will need a dark room or do it at night.  Block outside light by putting sheet up on windows.

Washing out after exposure

Sink or bathtub that’s big enough to accommodate your screen.
Rinse front and back first.
Go back and forth and you may need a scrubber that isn’t to abrasive.
No need for power washer except for half-tone dots….

Printing pigment: my recipe

Golden Medium: GAC 900 (Blick)
1 to 1 (acrylic to medium)
Speedball transparent base for less opaque
Blick student grade acrylics: primary, black/white, neons

Reclaiming your screen:
Lightly coat with Ulano Stencil Remover (the blue bottle at Blick) one side evenly, and then the other.  Scrub (with gloves!) until it breaks down.  Rinse.