Prepare a graphic image for silk screen printing. Use words, illustration or photographic images and shapes to create your graphic image. Design your image for printing in one color of ink for your first project. Create the image directly on paper with black ink, or in a graphic program on your computer. Scan any graphic images on paper into your computer.
Load your printer with a piece of clear vellum, or translucent paper. Print your graphic image on the piece of clear vellum. This is your film positive. If there is color in your image, convert the image to grayscale before printing.
Wash your silk screen with soap or a degreasing agent and let dry. In a dark room, coat the silk screen on both sides with photo emulsion and remove excess emulsion. Let the silk screen dry overnight in the dark.
In the dark room, place the silk screen face down over a piece of foam rubber cut to fit inside the frame. Place the film positive face down over the silk screen. Put the heavy piece of glass over the film positive. Hang a halide light 18 inches over the glass and turn it on. Leave the light on for the exposure time recommended in the instructions to your photo emulsion, usually eight to 10 minutes. Develop the image with a spray of warm water. Once the image area is clear of emulsion on the silk screen, blot both sides with newsprint and let dry.
Place the silk screen over the item to be printed. For T-shirts, put a piece of newsprint inside the shirt before printing to prevent ink from bleeding through to the back. Put some ink in the end of the silk screen opposite you. Pull the squeegee sharply towards you, applying strong pressure as you pull. Lift the screen to check printing results. Multiple prints may be made. When finished, clean excess ink out of the screen and wash with the proper solvent for the ink used. Most inks clean up with mineral spirits or water.