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.
