Difference between revisions of "CreatingScreenprintingStencils"

Revision as of 19:13, 18 December 2015

These instructions describe how to create a stencil using methods available at Makespace -- cut paper and cut sticky vinyl.

Choose the method best suited to your design
Choose lasercut or handcut paper or cut sticky vinyl. Note: only people trained on the lasercutter can use it.
Remember to pay for any newsprint paper and/or sticky vinyl used

Use newsprint paper (50 gsm). This is thin and will cling to the screen when wetted with ink.

Suited to designs without 'islands' (for example the middle of a letter 'o')
No manual 'weeding' or peeling required to transfer to screen. No masking off required.
Design does not need to be reversed.

Can support stencils with 'islands' but note that larger lettering and designs work better than more detailed ones.
Reverse the design before cutting. We recommend that the stencil is stuck onto the underside of the screen, closest to the workpiece. This avoids the squeegee catching on pieces of the vinyl and peeling them away. Putting the stencil on the print side (underside) of the screen also gives a more precise print.

@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 ==== Advantages / limitations ====
 * Can support stencils with 'islands' but note that larger lettering and designs work better than more detailed ones.
-* Reverse the design beforePrint design in reverse, to be stuck onto the underside of the screen, closest to the workpiece.
+* Reverse the design before cutting.  We recommend that the stencil is stuck onto the underside of the screen, closest to the workpiece.  This avoids the squeegee catching on pieces of the vinyl and peeling them away.  Putting the stencil on the print side (underside) of the screen also gives a more precise print.