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Screen Printing/Silk-Screen Printing

Discussion in 'Tools and tips' started by Cesk, Jun 9, 2009.

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  1. Cesk

    Cesk Banned

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    This is the thread where you shall discuss anything screen-print/silk-screen related.

    Enjoy!

    How To Screen Print.

    [Broken External Image]:http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2037/168/96/796795605/n796795605_1846959_3802753.jpg

    First you cover up any part of the screen you don't want printed with tape and cardboard, this will make clean up easier.

    [Broken External Image]:http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2037/168/96/796795605/n796795605_1846960_907623.jpg

    I recommend you get some acetate and tape one side (the oposite side of the part of the screen where you're printing on) later on you'll see why.

    [Broken External Image]:http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2037/168/96/796795605/n796795605_1846961_1406344.jpg

    Also, if you're a cheap mofo like me and cannot afford adhesive spray just tape a piece of tape sticky side up so that can hold your sticker.

    [Broken External Image]:http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2037/168/96/796795605/n796795605_1846962_6276072.jpg

    So now with a piece of cardboard or a pencil mix your ink and apply it on top of your design and not directly.

    [Broken External Image]:http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2037/168/96/796795605/n796795605_1849842_4133219.jpg

    Now with very little pressure scoop the ink across your image, make sure most of it is covered.

    [Broken External Image]:http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2037/168/96/796795605/n796795605_1849843_3048093.jpg

    Now the way to get a clean print is to use the edge of the squeege to press down and not with the bottom of the squeege, with the bottom you'll get a sloppy print and with the edge you can carry all the ink and quickly move it back to where you first applied the ink.

    [Broken External Image]:http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2037/168/96/796795605/n796795605_1849844_6981416.jpg

    I printed on the acetate so that it will help me center my sticker into where the screen is going to be printing. So before you print eye-center your sticker and then put the acetate on top and make sure it's in place.

    [Broken External Image]:http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2037/168/96/796795605/n796795605_1849845_675585.jpg

    Now start printing.

    [Broken External Image]:http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2037/168/96/796795605/n796795605_1849846_7524834.jpg

    Usually prints take 3-5 minutes to dry on paper or vinyl.

    [Broken External Image]:http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2037/168/96/796795605/n796795605_1849855_3639993.jpg

    When your done with a piece of thick paper (usually bussines cards work swell) take out all the ink left on the screen and put it back on your ink bottle.

    [Broken External Image]:http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2037/168/96/796795605/n796795605_1849856_4264465.jpg

    Now with the tape and cardboard method you just take that out and leave it to dry so that you can use it on your next print. And now thatll make cleaning a lot easier.

    [Broken External Image]:http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2037/168/96/796795605/n796795605_1849857_1967726.jpg
    To clean up just get some vinyl solvent and paper towels, wet a block of paper towel with your solvent and wash around the left over ink until most of it is gone. Make sure the top is clean then there should be a bit at the bottom of the screen that you can clean up with another block of paper towel with solvent and apply a bit of pressure to get the ink off. After that get some piece of cloth (a sock in the picture haha) and wash off more left over ink until its done and then you can just wash it with water to get the solvent off.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 17, 2009
  2. Werse

    Werse Elite Member

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    Thanks youuuu.
    Btw empty your pms so I can send you my address.
     
  3. NouveauP

    NouveauP Elite Member

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    I just printed my first shirt today. New jobs rule.
     
  4. peacebomb

    peacebomb Senior Member

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    Thanks so much for making this Cesk! I just got into it. So much fun wayyyy better then printing your shit.
     
  5. zenne

    zenne Elite Member

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    lol come on mods. i tried making this thread like a week ago and it never got approved >.<

    while we're on the first page, can someone post some guides or tips or something?
     
  6. TESTER

    TESTER Senior Member

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  7. tha wite rabbit

    tha wite rabbit Senior Member

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    just finnd my first silkscreen print today ill have flics 2morrow, its easy as hell just time consuming
     
  8. wired_615

    wired_615 Senior Member

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    i never heard of this before? what is it
     
  9. Chocolate Icing

    Chocolate Icing Senior Member

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    Wired use Google.

    What are other ways to wash out a screen after using it without using emulsion remover?
    How long should it take to burn a screen with direct sunlight?
    Is it easy to apply emulsion with a squeege? Or is it really hard unless you have an emulsion spreader thing?
    How longish does a bottle of ink last sticker wise?
    Do you apply the emulsion to both sides of the screen?

    Anybody that can help me out here, thanks :D
     
  10. Werse

    Werse Elite Member

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    Bleach and water 1:1
    Dont know
    No get a scoop coater.
    Not sure, but if your not on vinyl use arcylic paint.
    emulsion only goes on the back.
     
  11. Cesk

    Cesk Banned

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    1) -
    2)Give it 45 minutes to an hour.
    3) should be easy just try to apply the same amount of pressure on the whole spread. I would recommend you make a cheap spreader with some cardboard or bristol board.
    4)All depends, but tbqh like a quarter of ink should like last you 400-500 sticks if its a simple char. Usually bright ink wastes less. If you run low you can use some vinyl solvent and put some in your ink bottle shake it around and youll get like 30 or 40 more slaps depending on how much you add.
    5)One side, the bottom and the top is optional, but if you do it on the top chances are it might come off over time with the squeege pressure.

    :)
     
  12. Cesk

    Cesk Banned

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    BTW:
    If my father can get me some adhessive paper during the week I'll post a how-to print tutorial with pics and everything soon.
     
  13. skull-e

    skull-e Elite Member

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    beautiful, thank you
     
  14. zenne

    zenne Elite Member

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    thatd be great. online tutorials are too vague.
     
  15. Lady LSD

    Lady LSD Member

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    screen and silk is it like the Andy Warhol method?

    didnt understand, its like you paint something then you burn something like a drawing on it?
     
  16. xBOTOMx

    xBOTOMx Senior Member

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  17. Germz Yo

    Germz Yo Elite Member

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    thanks for starting this cesk!!
    props to the silk screening wizard :D
     
  18. Chocolate Icing

    Chocolate Icing Senior Member

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    Thanks for answering my questions! :)
     
  19. JayAyDubZed

    JayAyDubZed Senior Member

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    I do this in art class haha.
    I'm doin a graff mural with silk screen, dry point etching and wood etching and lithograph. Ima post it up here when I'm done.
     
  20. "Mafi"

    "Mafi" Senior Member

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    Your stuff is ridiculous.............ly awesome
    Haha I dig it a lot.