Silk Screening: 101

Silk Screening: 101

The Basics of Silk Screening

Concept / Topic for your Learners

Silk screening, also known as screen-printing is a printing technique that involves passing ink through a porous fabric, thus creating a sharp-edged single-color image created from a stencil.  Learners will use You Tube, a Web 2.0 technology to view instructional videos.

General Goal(s)

• Explore materials - experiment with stencil process
• Make at least one quality print
• Use materials, equipment and processes safely when producing

Specific Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate competence in silk screening techniques through the
• 5 prints (for example: t-shirt designs, fabric design, etc.)
• Create and transform visual images, using both new and traditional technologies.
• Use materials, equipment and processes safely when producing artworks. 

Required Materials, including Web 2.0

• Internet (You Tube)
• Water (with pressure)
• Vellum (art to be exposed)
• Exposure Unit
• Wooden or Metal frame
• Screen mesh         
• Screen printing ink
• Squeegees

Introduction to the Activity

This lesson explains the process for printing the stencil for a single color print. It is important that learners review the You Tube videos with this lesson to see the steps of the process.

Step-By-Step Procedures

Spread Emulsion

• In a dim room, place the screen face-up on a covered surface and pour a thin line of emulsion on the top of the screen.
• Use the squeegee or a flat rubber blade to spread the emulsion downward, covering the screen as thoroughly as possible.
• Lift the screen and turn to the other side. Move the rubber blade upwards to spread any emulsion that went through the screen material.
• Scrape any excess emulsion back into the emulsion bottle.
• Place the screen in a dark place to dry for about an hour. When it's ready, the screen will be dry to the touch. 

Expose the Screen

• In a dark environment, remove the screen from its drying place.
• Lay the frame under the exposure lamp, screen-side down on a piece of vellum. Do not turn the lamp on yet or otherwise expose the screen to light.
• Turn on the lamp for the amount of time specified on the emulsion instructions. It is usually about 7 to 10 minutes.
• When the exposure time is up, turn off the lamp and quickly spray the screen with a pressure hose to remove the exposed emulsion.
• Allow the screen to dry.

Print

• Secure the screen on a press. Use hinge clamps to allow the screen to be lifted up or clamp the screen to the flat surface.
• Place the material to be printed, such as a t-shirt, on the pallet.
• Press the screen firmly to the material. Pour a thin line of ink on one end of the screen and spread with the thin rubber blade.
• Lift the screen, and your image will be printed on the material.

Assessment

Student’s assessment will include completion and understanding of concepts.