How to Silkscreen Posters & T-shirts is a many-step process. I have tried it several times now, and I find that working along a tutorial is the way to go for me. This tutorial on how to silkscreen, ahem, screen print as it is also called, is one of the better ones I have found. Silkscreening has like 500-500 steps in the process. So that while it is not difficult, it is easy to forget what steps come next in the silk screening process.
As I said, personally, I'm not that versed in using this medium yet. However, I love the creative and artistic results one can obtain with the silk screen process.
How to Silkscreen ~ Free Tutorial
This article on 'how to silkscreen posters and shirts' by Artist Shannon Gerard at No media Kings is a superbly detailed and well-illustrated tutorial on the process of silk screening is provided by Shannon Gerard at No Media Kings. It is a must-read for any artist interested in the process.
This well-written 'How to' account states 4 phases in the silk screening process:
STAGE 1. Choosing and Preparing Your Screen
STAGE 2. Preparing Your Artwork
STAGE 3. Burning the Stencil
STAGE 4. Printing the Image.
It tells you what materials you need along with "how to"s and "what not to do"s at every step along the way. Let me know if it works for you. Follow the above link for details.
For example, for Stage 1, you'll need What you need:
- A screen with the right mesh count for your printing surface. Go for aluminum frame as it lasts longer. For printing on paper, use a screen with a mesh count of approx. 230. For printing on fabric, you'll want one that has a mesh count of approx 110 (or 160). Because fabric absorbs more ink than paper, you'll need to let more ink go through. The flat “back” of the screen sits on the printing surface is called the “print side” or “paper side” The “front” of the screen, recessed inside the lip of the frame, is called the “squeegee side.”
- Mr. Clean or any water based degreasing agent.
Learn more about what you need and how to select and use it in the article (link above).
If you prefer videos over articles, check out these videos on silkscreen printing as well. Here is a favorite video:
This one is about How To Screen Print T Shirts Using Hand Cut Paper Stencils, which is a bit different than the method used by Shannon. Google for 'free paper stencils' and off you go. Seems simpler...
