Plan your image for silkscreening. Use graphic elements such as drawings, photos, words and logos in your image. Decide whether to use traditional techniques such as drawing by hand or if you prefer to create your image entirely on a computer. You can combine elements of both if you choose.
Create a hand drawn image using pencil and paper. Use black ink or marker to cover the pencil lines. Erase any leftover pencil lines when the ink is dry. Scan the drawing into a graphics program such as Adobe Photoshop on your computer.
Open the file in Adobe Photoshop or other graphics program or create a digital design. Name and save the file. Choose the "Type" tool and enter any text you would like to include in your image. Size and color the words as you like. Choose the "Move" tool if you want to reposition the words in your design.
Open the file of any photo or illustration element inside Adobe Photoshop that you would like to include in your silkscreen image. Cut and paste the image into your silkscreen image file. Use the "Move" tool to rearrange the elements.
To change the color of words or add color to an illustration, select the item. Use the "Move" tool to select words, or select an area of an image with the "Magic Wand" tool. Use the "Eyedropper" tool to select a color from the color swatch menu. Select the "Paint Bucket" tool and click on the selected item to change its color.
Print your design to a piece of clear vellum. If you have more than one color in your design, print each color to another sheet of clear vellum. Spot colors may be printed to clear vellum from the "Channels" pallet in Adobe Photoshop. These vellum prints must be in black, regardless of ink color you will use, in order to function as a film positive.
Coat a silkscreen with photo emulsion in a dark room. Once dry, place face-down over a piece of foam rubber cut to fit inside the silkscreen frame. Place the film positive (clear vellum) face-down over the silkscreen and put the heavy glass on top of it.
Hang the halide light 18 inches over the glass, film and silkscreen. Turn it on for about 8 to 12 minutes to expose the image on the silkscreen. Develop with warm water at medium pressure. Blot both sides of silkscreen with newsprint. Once the silkscreen is dry, it is ready for printing.