This is a new little Matroyska screen print that I designed for some dresses. I just love her! I took some photos of the process I used because I think it is so easy and efficient and I know you all would love doing it. This would be a great way to make Christmas presents for the whole family! I’m making t-shirts for gifts! Also many of you often ask me where I get the cute t-shirts I use for dresses….I often make them and you can too….
I used this Speedball Screenprinting kit from Dharma Trading which included almost everything I needed. There are several methods included in the kit: screen filler method, drawing fluid method, and photo emulsion.
The photo emulsion method usually scares people off but it produces the most amazing results because you can do such detailed images (thin lines, small text, etc.). I’ve tried to break it down here into the most basic of steps and without the fancy lingo:
Just a quick simple explanation of how the the photo emulsion process works: Basically I think of it as film. You use light to expose an image onto the screen to make a stencil. The photo emulsion hardens where light hits it and will wash away where light doesn’t hit it (leaving an image behind). Note: I use natural sunlight for my light source. It is best to wait until the sun is high in the sky (i.e. around noon).
The only other materials you’ll need (besides the kit) are:
:: A piece of glass the size of your screen (I bought an 11″ x 14″ frame glass from the craft store)
:: 4 pushpins
:: A piece of black fabric
:: Screenprinting ink (if you want colors other than the ones included in the kit)
:: A sturdy board or piece of cardboard/foamboard
Step 1: Creating an Image
I designed my little Matryoshka doll in Powerpoint of all things (I don’t have a graphics program) using basic shapes and dingbat fonts….just overlapping white and black shapes. I’ve included a few images at the bottom of the post and I’ll be designing a few more just for you over the next few weeks.
Step 2: Printing A Transparency
Print 2-3 copies of your image to a transparency. I don’t have the best printer so I save my image to a disk and take it to Kinko’s and have them print the transparency for me…..the transparencies run about 75 cents a piece…..they are also much crisper printed from a commercial laser printer! Stack each of the transparencies on top of each other to create a complete “blackout” of the image….I use a little tape on the corners to keep them together.
Step 3: Mixing the Photo Emulsion
The kit has a large bottle of photo emulsion and a small bottle of sensitizer. Follow the directions but basically you add water to the sensitizer and mix it up. This process is a little tedious because the residue in the bottle is coagulated at the bottom….I used a small clean paint brush to mix it so I could “swish” the residue off the bottom.
Mix the sensitizer (black liquid) into the photo emulsion bottle (bluish liquid) until the mixed liquid becomes a slime green color:
Step 4: Prepare the Screen
The bottom of your screen is the non-recessed part (i.e. the screen is flush with the bottom of the frame). Turn your screen so the bottom part is facing up and insert a pushpin into each corner. This will help with the next step of spreading the emulsion (and provide little “legs” for your screen to sit on while it dries).
Step 5: Applying Photo Emulsion to the Screen
You will want to do this step in a fairly dim room since the photo emulsion reacts to light. Spread a small amount of the photo emulsion on one side of the screen bottom……
…..and use the squeegee from your kit to spread a thin layer of the emulsion across the screen. Flip the screen over and repeat on the other side…..
….and keep spreading and flipping until you have a thin even layer across the entire screen.
Place your finished screen right side up (the pushpins will serve as little legs) in a cool dark place for a few hours or overnight to let it dry. I carefully placed mine back in the original box bottom to protect it.
Step 5: Preparing the Screen for Exposure
Once your screen is dry you are ready for the “exposure” part. As soon as you are ready to go (with no distractions), take your screen out of its cool dark place (but still in a dim area) and remove the pushpins. Assemble what I call the “screen sandwich” which is a sturdy piece of cardboard (so you can carry the screen into the sun easily), followed by a piece of black fabric to reduce reflection, the prepared wood screen (bottom side up), the transparencies (face down), and finally a piece of glass to hold your image in place against the screen.
Step 6: Exposing the Screen
Note: I use natural sunlight for my light source. It is best to wait until the sun is high in the sky (i.e. around noon) so the light is direct. See the bottom of the post for links using artificial light.
Cover your “screen sandwich” with a piece of cardboard or paper and carefully carry it outside into the direct sunlight. This is the tricky part because if you expose the screen for too long it will burn the image into place and it won’t wash away…..and if you don’t expose it long enough areas of the image might wash away. Here is how I gauge the exposure: the emulsion is a slime green color and as it exposes it begins to turn to a dark gray/green. Once you see it darken considerably it has been exposed….it should only take 2-3 minutes depending on how strong the sun it. If it is overcast it may take a few more minutes.
Carry the “screen sandwich” back inside quickly and remove the glass and transparency and take the screen directly to the sink. Your image should still be a slime green color and the rest of the screen will be the dark gray/green.
Step 7: Washing the Screen
Using a sprayer or hose apply a forceful stream of water to the screen. After a few minutes the screen will start to open up and the image areas will start washing away leaving your “stencil.” If the areas do not wash away you may have overexposed the screen….and you will need to use the “emulsion remover” from the kit to clean the screen and start the process over……exposing it for much less time.
Step 8: Printing
Hold your dry screen up to the light to see if there are any holes……and use the screen filler included in your kit to touch them up. Use painting tape to cover all the inside edges of your screen to prevent any ink from leaking through.
Cover your work area and get your ink and squeegee ready.
Place your screen flat onto the fabric that you are preparing to print (if it is a t-shirt make sure to place a piece of cardboard inside to prevent ink from soaking to the other side). Apply a small glob of ink at the top of side of the image…..
….and pull the ink down the screen with the squeegee. You might have missed some areas so I like to go over it a few times carefully. Do a test run to get the hang of it before printing on your nice t-shirt!
Carefully remove the screen and admire your image!
Step 9: Heat Setting the Ink
Allow the image to dry and then heat set according to your ink directions (usually just ironing on a high setting for several minutes).
Feel free to email me with questions!
Here are some other links you might find useful:
How to use artificial light for exposure (instead of sunlight)
Excerpts from the Kit Manual
Marilyn says
Is this the same sort of thing as the Yudu Machine? Which would you recommend?
Ashley says
I just thought they would look cuter as hoodies on a twirl dress…..
Ashley says
Marilyn, the Yudo machine can do the same thing. I just like the old process and I think it is more economical. Depends on how much you want to spend 😉
mary says
your ladies are soooo cute. and i love that you made them in powerpoint-so creative. i love that your crafts are economical and your tutorials are so generous (of both your time and creativity).
now if only i had enough patience to try…. : )
(and just ignore the meanies. you are very talented.)
sofia's sketchbook says
this tutorial is great!!!!!!! and i will def buy this product…
now ashley……..you are so detail oriented and a great teacher….will you teach me how to blog???? i can't read those directions on how to add widget…customize your blog, etc. etc….i just want to add buttons similar to what you have at the top of your blog…..i'll pay – please help me!!!
yes, i'm with lisa on sarah's comment….fishy to me too..
Tanya says
Fabulous tute! I'm so impressed w/your blog. 🙂
Tracie says
You never fail to amaze me! The last screen print I made was at summer camp more years ago than I care to remember, but I do recall loving it. Can't wait to try this. Thanks!
Melanie says
Oh my gosh, if I ever get good enough to make cute dolls with POWERPOINT and DINGBATS I'm quitting my day job. Except I dont' think I can quit a mom job 😉
Yeah, I can't afford a Yudu so this is a great alternative.
Looks great!
Kaela says
Great tute! You make it look so easy! Screenprinting was hands down my most favorite class in college. What a clever lady using powerpoint and dingbats, brilliant!
mf says
This is PERFECT TIMING! I just bought that kit at Hobby Lobby and planned to try it this weekend. I barely started reading the instruction manual that came with it but this is MUCH easier to follow — they should have this blog article printed and put in the kit:) Wish me luck!
Dorothy says
Love the ideas Ashley!! I so wish I was as talented as you!
As for Sarah…Jealous much?
Virginia says
Keep doing what you're doing! We love your creativity and willingness to share!
Shelly K says
Yay! A few years ago I made some screens with embroidery hoops, and I think elmers glue??? Can't remember now. IT worked pretty good but it was too much a pain. I always wanted to burn but had NO CLUE.
I'm so thankful for your tutorial.
I also love Courtney…my friend bought one for her little girl and they are just as cute in person. I think you are both fabulous artists 🙂 Rock on.
Kathleen W. says
Great tutorial! My last screen printing attempts were very cut & paste, where I took an embroidery hoop, stretched a scrap of sheer curtain material over it, and painted in the negative areas of my design with screen filler. The images aren't as crisp, but it was an easy solution to do with students and not much money.
Love those dolls too!
Chacoy pronounced: Sha-coi says
L-O-V-E This tutorial! THANK YOU!!
The difference between you, "Sarah", and Courtney, is that you SHARE your great ideas and don't claim them as your own.{Like you invented the process of screen printing}
You are quick to answer ALL of my questions when I don't understand, and I really appreciate it:)
Thank you Ashley, and keep up the awesome work!
BTW Don't forget to block "Sarah"
Jennie says
Thanks for the tutorial. I've been wondering about trying this process but had no idea what it involved!
life_love_art says
Thank you so much for sharing this! I just took a serigraphy class at college, and my professor wasn't able to tell me how I could do this myself at home without a UV table. I'm so excited to try this now since I can't afford a Yudu machine at this time. 🙂
Elle's Mom says
Wow, Michelle! You said it perfectly!
Natasha says
Well send me to blogger craft jail too because I've done the tshirt dress refashions as well!
Keep it up Ash, you certainly have inspired me & how boring would we all be anyway if we couldn't inspire eachother?
Also kudos to you for leaving the nasty comments up, you could've just deleted them but it shows you have nothing to hide by letting everyone see.
Am LOVING mr & mrs roboto btw, there just aren't enough robot designs for girls. I might have to steal that one for a shirt for me too! Uh oh, there I go again stealing, lock me up!
dana says
I have been wanting to try this forever. Thank you for sharing!!!
martin peeves says
Ashley dats a nice tutorial. I've been trying only thing is, I use a 200w bulb n the screens are not opening up after exposure. usually 45-60mins. help please.
gerri.x says
that is a lovely design, may i know what is the tape you stuck onto the inside of the screen? im guessing it helps you get the paint out when you have done your pull? what is a good tape that does stuck on too tightly? did it work out well for you?
Daniel says
Green printing has become a beneficial as well as a safer alternative when it comes to the growing environmental concerns. It is not very expensive and the recycled paper that is used in printing is also very good quality and durable as well.
Printing Company Australia
Lia says
This is brilliant too…u make it look so easy 🙂
KittenJen says
Wow, thanks so much for the in depth tutorial! I've never considered screen printing before, but now feel I have the know how. I REALLY want to make my own damask curtains! One question before I invest in a screen print kit though…When you heat set the ink, do you put something between the image and the iron? Is there a chance the ink will transfer to your iron? Should I have an iron just for screen printing?
Thanks!
KittenJen
Lovely Little Nest says
You are SO talented. I can't believe you made that on Powerpoint ~ incredible!!
Nikki@KreativeKnack says
Hi! I hope you don't mind, but I gave a huge shout out to your blog over at my blog
Thanks again for the great tutorials!
Nikki
sewiknittoo says
I found that kit at michaels on clearance for $5 I was tempted to buy all that were there lol
Silk says
Nice information, I really appreciate the way you presented.
Lynelle Lujan says
Thanks so much for this tutorial (which I realize is a year old but I just discovered it) I have TWO of these kits that I've opened and looked at and never used. I must admit that reading the directions and other tutorials online scared the living day-light out of me, which is why I never attempted it. You've made it so clear and un-frightening to me that I can't wait to get home and give it a try.
My question for you however is, after successfully making the screen and using it, is there a way to remove the hardened emulsion and reuse the screen for a new project (one time use only?) or will I have to purchase a brand new screen each time i have a new design idea?
JohnTees says
This definitely is the best type of tutorial I've seen. Thank you so much you saved me so much time and money.
More power to you.
ARTina says
I am so glad I came across this! I used the drawing fluid method and my design wasn't as sharp as I would have liked it. The photo emulsion technique sounded complicated but it's good to know I can do it without a lot of specialized equipment. I will be trying this soon. Thanks for sharing!
Beth says
Ok, I realize this tute is not new, but I just found it and I'm wondering if the screen is reuseable…like, can you remove THAT image to burn another image onto it? I guess a better way to ask is to say, "What do you do if you decide tomorrow you want to screen print a truck, instead of a doll?"
Cammie@Flutterbys and Frogs says
@Beth, it should wash out with your screen cleaner 🙂
I'm doing this for the very first time today to make shirts for my little fella's birthday bash at Medieval Times Sat night. So far so good! Thank you for giving such a clear and easy to understand tutorial about this, I was lost when I tried to use the directions!
coolquilter says
Thanks for the excellent tutorial.
Marsha
Gabriela Marrosu says
I have no idea what I was searching for and I found this tutorial. It's so easy to follow, congratulations!! All your tutorials are lovely!!
Mari says
I do have one quick question about this tutorial, when you print the image to the transparency paper , how many of the same images you print and why 1 image won’t work..
mrs c. says
love this tutorial – found you through PINTEREST!
can’t wait to look thru the rest of your blog.
thanks for posting.
xox
Toni says
Thank you so much for compiling all this screen print info in one place!
Link back – http://sugartartcrafts.blogspot.com/2011/07/book-worm-wednesday-3-takes-on.html
Jennifer Payton says
Great tutorial!! Much better than the instructions with the Speedball kit! It worked perfect!
georgine says
You make it seem very easy, is it really? Like I could do it? My real question is if the screen is re-usable. More than one print. Can you save screens to use at a later date? (Make a print or two one day and then make some two weeks later?)
I have to say, you make my husband crazy. He hears me say daily, “You wouldn’t believe what Little Blue Boo did, how is she so creative?” (That and all the Paypal notices he gets from Little Blue Boo :). Your blog has given me so many ideas (not that I have followed through on many) and some confidence to try new things. I bought some Jaquard fabric paint yesterday and am going to try to use it to change some white knit into something (cross my fingers) more interesting. So, thanks for all the inspiration and instructions. Oh, and helping cloth my children!
Angela says
I love this tutorial! I also wanted to tell you that I too love doing graphic design in power point. It’s amazing and for a novice like me has all the capabilities I can handle :).
Karlie Robinson says
Did you ever get a graphics program? If not, you should check out The GIMP and Inkscape. (gimp.org and inkscape.org) for publicly licensed software you can download for free. In fact, I use the GIMP for all my graphics and professional graphic designers I know use Inkscape.
Michelle M. Jones says
I am so grateful to have found this. I’ve had an idea for a project that I believe I can turn into an indie biz and it entails screen printing. Which I have zero experience in. SO, I just now finished making my first screen and tried printing on a piece of scrap fabric. Am I right in guessing that in order to multiple pieces, I have to rinse the paint out of the screen between each one. More time consuming than I thought, as you have to let the screen dry, too. Am I wrong? Is there another trick to this I don’t know yet? Thanks!!!!
Inspire Me Heather says
I like all your screen printing projects and your tutorials are so very well written! I have this one linked to my DIY screen printing post too today, thanks!
Lindsay says
Do you think this would work on lace? If I wanted to do a print, say a leopard print….do you think its possible this way? thanks!
Nora says
Just wanted to let you know that I tried this for the first time today and it worked perfectly! Thanks so much for your awesome tutorial! You can see my results here:
Nora says
I just wanted to let you know that I tried this for the first time today and it worked perfectly! Thanks for the awesome tutorial! You can see my results here:
Crystal says
Great tutorial! Thanks so much!
Steph says
Hello…again!
I’ve emailed you before about screen printing (wondering how many shirts I can expect to print).
NOW, I’m wondering how far we can make the ink stretch. Is 8oz. a lot… or a little when screen printing? My gut says a lot, but I have no clue.
HELP!! 😉
Thanks so much!
Steph