But I'm ready to give it another try. I want to set up a table at home - the only thing is that I'm starting at ground zero and feel at a loss as to what I need or where to find it.
This is me putting it into the universe that I need help getting this set up. Any advice? Links to resources, a list of materials, anything would be helpful.
So far I think I will need:
1. A table
2. A screen
3. Hardware to affix screen to table
4. Emulsion
5. A light to burn image into screen (and general info for an at-home set up)
6. Ink
7. Squee-gee
Image via HOW blog
I love this thing: http://www.whatdoyudu.com/default.aspx You can get it at Michael's. I thought about buying it but I didn't think I'd use it enough. It's also on ebay for a little cheaper.
ReplyDeleteWas so close to buying a screen printing kit when I was at Dick Blick the other day but then I realized I'm a slob and Ill have the ink all over every surface of my house in a blink.
ReplyDeleteBut I can live vicariously through you with pleasure :) Good luck!
hi!
ReplyDeletemy name is katie. i am a printmaking major at art school, and i think your blog is super cute!
here are some, hopefully, helpful resources for screen printing. this is super long though... oh well.
dont buy kits! you can get waaaay better materials that will last waaaay longer if you source separately.
1. any table you can put screws in to to afix screen clamps will work. at mica we have wooden tables with steel tops, but laminate tops will work too, as long as it stays flat after it gets wet.
2. victoryfactory.com has the BEST prices for aluminium frame screens (they hold up so much better and for so much longer than wood.) the investment is better. really for not much more, the aluminium will never warp and you can have your screens restretched if they ever pop.
3. get screen hinges from victory factory. or sometimes you can find similar hardware at the hardware store. look at the pictures online. its really just a clamp that has a butterfly nut on the top that tightens down onto the screen and stay affixed to a table.
4. emulsion is expensive, but worth it. ulano proclaim (green diazo) is what we use in our shop.
5. exposure units are expensive too, but sometimes you can find great deals on ebay or craigs list. you can use halogen bulbs that burn really bright too. the huge exposure unit in my shop looks like a tanning bed table. a smaller exposure unit can be set up in a smaller space. google around for deals to be had.
6. dont buy oil based ink unless you like horrible messes. standard speedball screen printing ink is perfectly fine. use extender base (clear ink) to get really nice translucent colors. extender and metalic inks make a beautiful washy look. i keep my ink in circular gladware type tubs and mix with dollar store spatulas. just make sure your ink is mixed really well. the gladware will keep the ink fresh for a surprisingly long time. dont buy plastisol if you are printing paper. its the type of ink that makes the smooth plasticy type designs on t shirts. it has to be heat set with a flash exposure unit and stains like crazy. if you dont set it, it will literally stay wet for weeks.
7. squeegees, even cheep ones, will stay nice for soooo long if you take care to wash them well and store them where the edge of the blade wont bend, chip or get dull...
poconoscreen.com is another resource for all things screen printing. they have the best price i've found for r-tape...
<3
katie
katiemade.blogspot.com
I love screen printing. I haven't done any since I lost access to the studio at UCO when I graduated.
ReplyDeleteWe hung one of my prints the other day!
Kevin - Jeremy was telling me the other day about how you were going to do a block-print of the Mandragora design. I thought you might be into screen printing too.
ReplyDeleteNice information, I really appreciate the way you presented.
ReplyDelete