Textile screen printing is a fantastic technique that allows you to enhance the look of your garments and personalize them, creating any type of design you prefer. You will need to carve out some time and find enough space to be able to dedicate yourself to this work. You will have to be prepared to get very dirty, but you will see that the end result will be worth the effort! This article tells you how.
Steps
Step 1. Place a wooden frame on the fabric of your choice to create your screen
Step 2. Secure the fabric to the frame with a paper clip
The fabric should be so taut that it feels like it could tear at any moment. Start with one of the corners of the frame, spread it out, and then pin it in the opposite corner. Return to the first corner, stretch the fabric well and place another paper clip about an inch clockwise from the first. Repeat the same operation in the second corner and then proceed along the entire perimeter of the frame, going back and forth until you have a well-stretched canvas fixed in every part. You may have to go back to the first two staples, as they may have come loose from the rest.
Step 3. In a completely dark room, apply a very thin layer of emulsion to the fabric (some emulsions can also be used in low light / daylight environments)
The package should contain all the instructions on how to prepare it. Spread it on both sides of the canvas, making sure it is completely wet, taking care not to leave any uncovered spaces. To be able to see what you are doing you can use an inactinic darkroom light.
Step 4. Let it dry in a dark place overnight
Step 5. Spread some black paper on the floor and lay your screen on top of it, making sure the part with the staples is facing up
Step 6. Using adhesive tape, fix your design printed on transparent paper on the now dry surface of the screen
Step 7. Place the lamp directly on the screen; follow the indications regarding distance and time of exposure to light given in the instructions for the emulsion
Step 8. Rinse the screen with very hot water and let it dry
Step 9. Lay the screen on the side of the paper clips on the garment of your choice
Now with a spatula apply the color in a jet on the inside of the screen, exerting a slight pressure. This should be done with a steady and slow motion, so that the color can be imprinted on the fabric through the screen.
Step 10. Lift the screen and see the image printed on your garment
Let it dry.
Step 11. Iron the wrong side of the garment for as long as necessary, following the directions on the color packaging
Step 12. Wash it
Advice
- Use a heat lamp to focus the heat on a specific area, and print twice.
- Hold the putty knife at an angle of between 45 and 90 degrees.
