Difference between revisions of "ScreenprintingOnFabric"
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==== Preparation ==== | ==== Preparation ==== | ||
| − | # | + | # Check fabric or items are suitable for printing (flat, absorbent) |
# Prepare a screen and stencil | # Prepare a screen and stencil | ||
| + | # Clamp the screen into the printing frame using the hinge clamps | ||
| + | # Ensure layers of fabric are separated to prevent print-through | ||
| + | # Ensure the screen has suitable '''snap''' / '''off-contact''' for the thickness of this fabric or item. | ||
# Select ready-mixed fabric-printing ink or mix ink using pigment and '''fabric''' print medium | # Select ready-mixed fabric-printing ink or mix ink using pigment and '''fabric''' print medium | ||
==== Printing session ==== | ==== Printing session ==== | ||
| − | + | <ol start="7"> | |
| − | + | <li>Prepare some pieces of test paper (of similar size to your design)</li> | |
| − | + | <li>Clear space in drying rack</li> | |
| − | + | <li>Select '''D or V-profile''' squeegee which is the smallest which is wider than your design</li> | |
| − | + | <li>Print on fabric or items</li> | |
| − | + | <li>Wash screen, equipment and hands</li> | |
| + | <li>Log activity and pay for any Makespace materials by items x print size, plus any bags etc. from Makespace stock</li> | ||
| + | </ol> | ||
==== Finishing session ==== | ==== Finishing session ==== | ||
| − | + | <ol start="13"> | |
| + | <li>After items are dry, the design must be fixed into the fabric using heat. This melts the acrylic ink into the fabric, giving a softer texture and also allows the item to be washed (up to 40 degrees C). Cover the printed area with a piece of baking paper (from the kitchen) and use the '''iron''' (5 minutes at hottest setting appropriate to the fabric, moving the iron in the usual way to avoid burning the fabric or paper) or '''heatpress''' (30 seconds) to fix the design.</li> | ||
| + | </ol> | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Detailed instructions === | ||
| + | |||
| + | # '''Check fabric or items are suitable for printing''' For best results paper should not be too thin or it may wrinkle or get waterlogged. Note that typical 'office' or 'computer' paper (80 gsm) is usually too thin and will not dry flat especially if there is a lot of ink in the design. Non-paper items should ideally be somewhat absorbent or the print may scratch off. | ||
| + | # '''Prepare a screen and stencil''' – see [[CreatingScreenprintingStencils]] | ||
| + | # '''Clamp the screen into the printing frame using the hinge clamps''' | ||
| + | # '''Ensure layers of fabric are separated to prevent print-through''' If printing an item with multiple layers such as a bag or t-shirt, ensure that the ink does not print through to the back layer using a '''platen''' to separate the layers. For larger items such as large/adult t-shirts, the print bed can be (carefully) flipped over and the built-in platen used. For smaller items such as shopping bags or small t-shirts, use the small portable platen or a piece of cardboard or board cut to size. | ||
| + | # '''Ensure the screen has suitable snap / off-contact for the thickness of this fabric/item''' To test this press down gently on the centre of the screen. It should depress around 3mm and spring back. Use acrylic pieces (in the small drawer unit) under the edge of screen nearest you to increase the height. If printing on a thick item or using the small platen, also insert acrylic pieces between the underside of the screen inside the clamps. | ||
| + | # '''Select ready-mixed fabric-printing ink or mix ink using pigment and '''fabric''' print medium''' | ||
| + | ## First decide on the colour to be printed in this session. | ||
| + | Note: Items must be dry before printing additional colours so only prepare ink for each colour just before it is needed for printing. | ||
| + | |||
| + | To mix a new batch of textile ink: | ||
| + | * Take an empty clear plastic ink pot to mix your ink mixture in and use a spoon to measure out pigments and mix if needed | ||
| + | * Choose a colour of System 3 pigment (paint) or mix System 3 pigments to create a new colour. For mixed colours mix well until the colour is completely even, so that the print will be consistent on each item | ||
| + | * When the pigment mixture is the colour you want, mix this with an equal amount (1:1) of System 3 Textile print medium. | ||
| + | * Mix well until the mixture looks consistent. | ||
| + | * For printing the mixture should have a consistency similar to domestic emulsion paint or liquid honey and should drop slowly from a palette knife dipped into it. If it is too dry or sticky to drop, mix in small amounts of extra medium or water it is more fluid. This can happen when ink has been stored and reused. | ||
| + | See this video as a guide to judging ink consistency and avoiding ink which is too dry or too wet for printing: | ||
| + | [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ddb6Za4vP4| How to Mix Screen Printing Ink] | ||
| + | <ol start="6"> | ||
| + | <li>'''Prepare some pieces of test paper (of similar size to your design)'''</li> | ||
| + | <li>'''Select the '''D or V-profile''' squeegee which is the smallest which is wider than your design'''</li> | ||
| + | <li>'''Clear space in drying rack'''</li> | ||
| + | <li>'''Print on fabric or items'''</li> | ||
| + | </ol> | ||
| + | |||
| + | <ol start="10"> | ||
| + | <li>'''Wash screen, equipment and hands using washing-up liquid and cold water''' First wash all the ink out of the screen. A shower attachment is available for the tap -- plug the spare tap hole before use. Then wash up the squeegee(s), palette knife, ink-measuring spoons and any other tools used. Wipe up any wet ink on the print frame and platen and any wet ink in the print area. Finally wash ink from your hands.</li> | ||
| + | <li>'''Mop up any water from the floor to avoid a slip hazard'''</li> | ||
| + | <li>'''Log activity and pay for any Makespace materials by items x print size''' Log session in the log book. | ||
| + | Use the size sheet to work out whether your design is less than A5, between A5 and A4 or between A4 and A3. | ||
| + | </li> | ||
| + | </ol> | ||
Latest revision as of 15:02, 19 January 2016
Contents
Screenprinting on Fabric
Summary
Preparation
- Check fabric or items are suitable for printing (flat, absorbent)
- Prepare a screen and stencil
- Clamp the screen into the printing frame using the hinge clamps
- Ensure layers of fabric are separated to prevent print-through
- Ensure the screen has suitable snap / off-contact for the thickness of this fabric or item.
- Select ready-mixed fabric-printing ink or mix ink using pigment and fabric print medium
Printing session
- Prepare some pieces of test paper (of similar size to your design)
- Clear space in drying rack
- Select D or V-profile squeegee which is the smallest which is wider than your design
- Print on fabric or items
- Wash screen, equipment and hands
- Log activity and pay for any Makespace materials by items x print size, plus any bags etc. from Makespace stock
Finishing session
- After items are dry, the design must be fixed into the fabric using heat. This melts the acrylic ink into the fabric, giving a softer texture and also allows the item to be washed (up to 40 degrees C). Cover the printed area with a piece of baking paper (from the kitchen) and use the iron (5 minutes at hottest setting appropriate to the fabric, moving the iron in the usual way to avoid burning the fabric or paper) or heatpress (30 seconds) to fix the design.
Detailed instructions
- Check fabric or items are suitable for printing For best results paper should not be too thin or it may wrinkle or get waterlogged. Note that typical 'office' or 'computer' paper (80 gsm) is usually too thin and will not dry flat especially if there is a lot of ink in the design. Non-paper items should ideally be somewhat absorbent or the print may scratch off.
- Prepare a screen and stencil – see CreatingScreenprintingStencils
- Clamp the screen into the printing frame using the hinge clamps
- Ensure layers of fabric are separated to prevent print-through If printing an item with multiple layers such as a bag or t-shirt, ensure that the ink does not print through to the back layer using a platen to separate the layers. For larger items such as large/adult t-shirts, the print bed can be (carefully) flipped over and the built-in platen used. For smaller items such as shopping bags or small t-shirts, use the small portable platen or a piece of cardboard or board cut to size.
- Ensure the screen has suitable snap / off-contact for the thickness of this fabric/item To test this press down gently on the centre of the screen. It should depress around 3mm and spring back. Use acrylic pieces (in the small drawer unit) under the edge of screen nearest you to increase the height. If printing on a thick item or using the small platen, also insert acrylic pieces between the underside of the screen inside the clamps.
- Select ready-mixed fabric-printing ink or mix ink using pigment and fabric print medium
- First decide on the colour to be printed in this session.
Note: Items must be dry before printing additional colours so only prepare ink for each colour just before it is needed for printing.
To mix a new batch of textile ink:
- Take an empty clear plastic ink pot to mix your ink mixture in and use a spoon to measure out pigments and mix if needed
- Choose a colour of System 3 pigment (paint) or mix System 3 pigments to create a new colour. For mixed colours mix well until the colour is completely even, so that the print will be consistent on each item
- When the pigment mixture is the colour you want, mix this with an equal amount (1:1) of System 3 Textile print medium.
- Mix well until the mixture looks consistent.
- For printing the mixture should have a consistency similar to domestic emulsion paint or liquid honey and should drop slowly from a palette knife dipped into it. If it is too dry or sticky to drop, mix in small amounts of extra medium or water it is more fluid. This can happen when ink has been stored and reused.
See this video as a guide to judging ink consistency and avoiding ink which is too dry or too wet for printing: How to Mix Screen Printing Ink
- Prepare some pieces of test paper (of similar size to your design)
- Select the D or V-profile squeegee which is the smallest which is wider than your design
- Clear space in drying rack
- Print on fabric or items
- Wash screen, equipment and hands using washing-up liquid and cold water First wash all the ink out of the screen. A shower attachment is available for the tap -- plug the spare tap hole before use. Then wash up the squeegee(s), palette knife, ink-measuring spoons and any other tools used. Wipe up any wet ink on the print frame and platen and any wet ink in the print area. Finally wash ink from your hands.
- Mop up any water from the floor to avoid a slip hazard
- Log activity and pay for any Makespace materials by items x print size Log session in the log book. Use the size sheet to work out whether your design is less than A5, between A5 and A4 or between A4 and A3.
