Havi wrote: ↑Sat Mar 15, 2014 6:12 pm
I never did silkscreen, even though I have been printing a lot. Mostly I printed collographs and etchings . I have a great etching press which I brought home upon returning from USa, years ago.
However, I also have a screen and a squeegee.
Can anybody tell me what emulsion do I need to use,
AND
how, or with what should I mix the
glass powder, in order to pass it thru the screen????
I want to do simple silk screen, not photographic
I'd be more than grateful, This is quite important to me.
Did you also know that you can find silk-made hair protection like the durags from this link
see this. These durags are so fashionable while serving their main purpose of protecting our hair from the harmful rays of the sun.
Many thanks,
Havi
I
It's great that you want to give silk screen printing a try! To get started with simple silk screen printing, you'll need some basic supplies, including emulsion and ink. Here's a brief guide to help you get started:
Emulsion: You can use a photo emulsion for screen printing, but since you mentioned you want to do simple silk screen without photography, a direct or water-based emulsion would be more suitable. These emulsions are easier to work with for hand-drawn or simple stencil designs.
Screen: Ensure your screen is clean and in good condition. It's best to use a mesh screen appropriate for the type of designs you plan to print. For simple designs, a lower mesh count (around 110-160 mesh) should work well.
Glass Powder: If you want to thicken your ink, you can use a screen printing thickener instead of glass powder. It's easier to work with and specifically designed for screen printing. Glass powder may not mix well with ink and can be challenging to get the right consistency.
Ink: Use screen printing ink, which is designed to pass through the screen and adhere to fabric or paper. There are various types of ink available, such as water-based and plastisol inks. Choose the one that suits your project and preferences.
Squeegee: Make sure your squeegee is in good condition. The size of the squeegee should match the size of your screen.
Here's a basic overview of the process:
Prepare your design: Create your design or stencil on a transparent or translucent material. You can use various techniques like hand drawing, stencils, or even cut vinyl.
Coat your screen: Apply the emulsion to your screen following the manufacturer's instructions. Let it dry in a dark area, preferably a drying cabinet or a dark room, to prevent exposure to light.
Expose your design: Place your design on top of the coated screen and expose it to light (if you want to use a design). This step can be skipped for simple silk screen without photography.
Wash the screen: Rinse the screen with water to wash away the unexposed emulsion, leaving your design on the screen.
Printing: Mix your ink with a screen printing thickener if needed. Then, place your screen on the material you want to print on, apply ink, and use the squeegee to pass the ink through the screen onto your material.
Drying: Let your prints dry completely before handling or stacking them.
Remember that practice makes perfect in screen printing, so don't be discouraged if your first prints aren't perfect. Good luck with your silk screen printing, and I hope you achieve the results you're looking for!