Arts >> Art >> Other Art

How to Make Your Own Silk Screen

Make your own silk screen with materials purchased at an art supply store and a hardware store or lumber yard. First you will build the screen frame. You may also buy a silk screen frame already stretched with mesh. Synthetic silk mesh is stretched taut over the wood frame, washed and coated with a light sensitive photo emulsion. A graphic image is put on a piece of transparent vellum paper, then transferred to the silk screen. The silk screen may be used in printing paper, fabric and other surfaces.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 in. by 2 in. lumber or screen stretcher bars, or prestretched silk screen
  • Saw
  • Hammer
  • Nails
  • Staple gun
  • Wood glue
  • Synthetic screen mesh
  • Photo emulsion
  • Stiff card
  • 4-in.-thick foam rubber
  • 1/4-inch thick glass
  • Halide light
  • Black ink or marker
  • Dark room
  • Newsprint
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Cut two 20-inch lengths of 2-inch by 2-inch wood using a saw. Cut two 24-inch lengths of 2-inch by 2-inch wood. Build a square frame with the wood using nails and wood glue at the joints.

    • 2

      Buy 2-square feet of synthetic silk mesh for silk screening form an art supply store or screen printing supply company. Choose mesh with a mesh count between 100 and 200 for best results. Staple the mesh to the corners of the wood frame. Staple every 2 inches along one side of the frame, then staple on the opposite side of the frame in the same manner. Proceed on to staple the remaining two sides. The synthetic silk must be stretched taut. As an alternative, you may buy a prestretched silk screen frame.

    • 3

      Wash the silk screen frame with soap and water and let it dry. In a dark area, coat the silk screen frame on both sides with photo emulsion using a piece of stiff card. Remove any excess emulsion to leave a smooth layer on the screen, free of drips or streaks. Place in a dark area to dry overnight.

    • 4

      Create a graphic image in black and white on a computer. The graphic image may also be hand drawn in black ink and scanned in. Load the printer with clear vellum and print the image on the vellum to create a film positive. Draw on the back side with black ink or marker to insure opacity of the image.

    • 5

      Cut a piece of foam rubber to fit inside the screen frame. In a dark room, lay the foam rubber on a flat surface. Place the silk screen frame over the foam rubber, fitting the foam inside the open end of the screen frame. Place the film positive centered on the silk screen frame face down and tape into place with transparent tape. Put the heavy glass over this assembly.

    • 6

      Hang the halide light 18 inches over the silk screen frame, film positive and glass. Turn on the light for 10 minutes then turn off. Remove the glass and film positive. Still in the dark, develop the image by spraying the silk screen frame with water until the emulsion is gone from the image area. Blot both sides of the silk screen frame and set aside to dry in a well lit area, or better yet in sunlight. Once dry, the silk screen is ready for printing using silk screen ink and a squeegee. Any color ink may be put into the silk screen frame.

Other Art

Related Categories