Screenprinting

ORANGE EQUIPMENT

Training optional, but you must feel confident in the use of the device and must have read the equipment instructions.

Risk assessment

Warnings

Waterbased screenprinting does not have serious hazards as a process, but without due care the ink can permanentely damage various items in the Space. This includes yours and other peoples' workpieces. 

Take care when moving the larger and heavier pieces of equipment, especially if there are other people passing through the Space. 

What is screen printing?

Making stencils

A screen is a frame with a fine polyester mesh stretched across it which carries a stencil. The printing process applies liquid ink/paint in one colour at a time using a squeegee.

There are many ways to create stencils - at Makespace, we support vinyl and paper stencils. Vinyl stencils can be made on the vinyl cutter. Paper stencils can be cut with scissors, craft knives or on the laser cutter. 

How to create a paper stencil

Use newsprint paper. This is thin (50gsm) and will cling the screen when wetted with ink. Office paper (80gsm) is too think and wrinkles. Cut your paper manually using scissors or with the help of the laser cutter (recommend cutter settings: speed 64% power 15%)

Tape the paper to the underside of the screen using masking tape.

This method works for design without "islands" (for example, the middle of a letter 'o')

No manual peeling is required to transfer to screen, and the design does not need to be reversed.

How to create sticky vinyl stencils

Can support stencils with 'islands' but not that larger lettering and designs work better than more of the detailed ones. 

Reverse the design before cutting. Putting the stencil on the print side (underside) of the screen gives a more precise print. 

Ensure that the vinyl is stuck as well to the screen as possible by rolling with the brayer or by burnishing using a smooth object.

Screenprinting process

If you are new to screenprinting, read this page fully before starting a session. Once there is wet ink on the screen, the actual printing needs to be done without any breaks to read instructions etc. or the ink will dry into the screen and damage it. 

1. Create a stencil and attach it to the screen. More details below.

2. Select or mix the appropriate ink for fabric or paper (by default should be a 50/50 mix of pigment/paint and print medium)

3. Print things. More details for printing on fabric and paper/non-fabric

4. Clean up - reclaimink where possible. Clean screens and tools immediately. Wash the ink from your hands afterwards.

5. Log prints done and materials used in the session in the log book. this helps the owners know which items are popular and to keep things in stock.

6. Pay for any Makespace materials used (ink, paper, cotton bags, etc.)

7. Fabric only - once the ink has dried, head-fix any prints using the iron or the heatpress

Videos

Daler Rowney System 3 Screenprinting Demo (video)

Screenprinting with vinyl cutter stencil (instructions)

Safety

• The main printbed and platen are solid and relatively heavy. Take care when using them.

• The drawers in the plan chest are heavy and can be pulled all the way out of the chest. Be careful, pull them out slowly and not beyond around half-way. 

• After cleaning ink from the equipment, wash it off your skin. Pigments might cause irritation if used regularly. 

• After washing up the equipment, ensure the floor is not slippery. Clean up using the mop. 

House rules

The facilities are shared and the printing area is small and located in a busy area. Make sure to follow the following house rules for this equipment.

Ink/Paint

Use only inks that can be removed from the screen using just water and washing-up liquid. Non-water based printing will damage our equipment. 

You may bring in and use your own ink only if it's waterbased. If it's not one of the inks already in stock, check the rules for bringing chemical products into Makespace. If in doubt, reach out to Management. 

Makespace has a small number of shared screen which are intended for short-tem use and learning. As they are shared, this means that:

• No permanent stencils should be applied to screens. 

• You should aim to finish your printing in one session if possible, and remove the stencil at the end of the session. 

• for large print runs and longer-term use, we recommend buying or making your own screens. 

Our equipment

Screens - Outer w x h (max printable area w x h) 

Thread-count: Approximately 28T

• 1 x 31cm x 32cm (21cm x 22cm)

• 2 x 45cm x 58cm (35cm x 48cm)

• 3 x 56cm x 77cm (40cm x 60cm)

Screeprinting frame:

• Hing clamps to hold the screen during the session

• Reversible baed with:

  • Flat surface for printing onto paper and other single-layer materials and smaller items, such a tote bags and t-shirts smaller than XL.

  • Hinged platen for printing larger (XL+) t-shirts

Print-drying rack 

20 spring-loaded A2 wire shelves. 

Plan chest

A1 primarily for storage of papers, stock and temporary storage for personal screenprinting projects.

Blades

For textile printing, D or V-profile blades are used. These blade profiles lay down extra ink which is used to get a solid print on the fabric surface. 

• 1 x 8" (20cm) width, V-profile blade

• 1 x 12" (30.5cm) width, V-profile blade

• 1 x 15" (38cm) width, round profile blade

For printing on paper and other non-fabrics and less absorbent surfaces use square-profile blades which lay down less ink and give a sharper print:

• 1 x 8" (20cm) width

• 1 x 12" (30.5cm) width

Squeegees 

Communal blank screens for use with temporary paper or vinyl stencils.

Our supplies

• Unprinted newsprint paper, A2+ sheets

• Washing up liquid

Inks, pigments and mediums - free to use for learning

• System 3 Acrylic print medium (paper/general use)

• System 3 Acrylic print medium (fabric)

• System 3 Acrylic pigments for colour mixing: black, white, yellow, red, blue and silver

• Permaset Aqua Fabric Magic -- print-ready (pre-mixed) fabric inks: black, green