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How to Make Positives for Screen Printing

Screen-printing is when a positive silk screen is placed over fabric or paper, and ink is applied and filtered through to create an image. Different colors are applied to different screens with different parts of the image, allowing the flow of ink to reach the medium. This is a popular method of creating art on shirts, as it is quick and easy to accomplish. A screen positive may be used multiple times with varying colors to create items quickly. You can create your own positives at home.

Things You'll Need

  • Silk screen in frame
  • Scissors or hobby knife
  • Card stock
  • Pencil
  • Rubber cement
  • Screen filler
  • Paint brush
  • Drawing Fluid
  • Spoon
  • Plastic spreading card
  • Water
  • Spray bottle
  • Toothbrush
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Instructions

  1. Paper Stencil

    • 1

      Draw the image you want to screen print onto card stock using a pencil.

    • 2

      Cut out the stencil by cutting out the image with scissors or hobby knife. Save the cut out page. You want the ink to pass through where the image was located.

    • 3

      Place the stencil under the frame and brush it with a layer of rubber cement.

    • 4

      Lower the frame onto the stencil and let it dry. The screen is ready to start printing.

    Using Screen Filler

    • 5

      Draw the image you want to print on card stock.

    • 6

      Place the screen over the drawing and trace the image onto the screen using a pencil.

    • 7

      Prepare the screen filler by opening the bottle and stirring the contents with a spoon.

    • 8

      Brush the screen filler on the screen using a paintbrush, avoiding the drawing. Screen filler will keep the ink or paint from passing through the screen in undesired places. By avoiding your drawing, paint will pass through the drawing to create the print.

    • 9

      Flip the screen over and smooth the screen filler over with a plastic spreading card. Be careful to avoid getting screen filler in your drawing.

    • 10

      Allow the screen filler to dry.

    Using Drawing Fluid

    • 11

      Draw the image you want to print on a card stock. Place the screen over it.

    • 12

      Trace your image using a pencil onto the screen.

    • 13

      Paint drawing fluid over the area you want to print using a brush. Allow the drawing fluid to dry completely.

    • 14

      Apply screen filler to the entire screen on the side you applied drawing fluid by spooning it on the screen and smoothing it over the screen with a plastic card in one pass. More than one pass will disintegrate the drawing fluid. Allow the screen filler to dry completely.

    • 15

      Spray both sides of the screen with cool water, especially where drawing fluid was applied. The drawing fluid will dissolve and leave a positive image for the ink to flow through the screen. Use a toothbrush to brush off any areas that do not dissolve. Allow the screen to dry completely before use.

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