DIY Screen Printing Lessons

Gig-Posters have something magical to them if they are well made. They not only deliver information about the gig but manage to conserve and showcase a piece of culture in a way no digital media can.

Get felixrossel’s stories in your inbox

Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.

Remember me for faster sign in

My fascination for graphic design stems back to the time I first saw posters from Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and the Rolling Stones. They visually expressed that vibe of the music that I fell in love with. That was what I wanted to replicate.

Trying to do that I started Screen Printing a couple years back as a hobby — needless to say I never came close to the artworks of the 60s and 70s. But never the less I learned a lot doing it. I won’t go through the basics of Screen Printing — there’s enough material out there that explains it better than I can instead I will share some tips on how to improve your DIY Screen Printing.

Phase I — From Idea to Stencil

Every print starts with an idea. Some ideas just turn out to be not feasible, which one might notice too late. Here’s how I try to spot these.

Setup of the Screen

1. Don’t aim too high
   If you are a beginner start out with simple one colored print, like the one you can see me printing in the article. The more experienced you get the more sophisticated your prints can be.
2. Think it through
   Before you even go and create your artwork take a moment and try to visualize how you want it to look printed. Pay attention to fine lines, intricate patterns and if the print has to be multicolored overlapping regions these might cause problems.
3. The simpler the better
   Don’t try to imitate the details you know from industrial offset printing or even industrial Screen Printing. Stick to the basics — the simpler your graphic the bolder the message and bigger the impact. A big part of screen printings appeal comes from the simplification of the artwork.
4. Can you make a series out of it?
   Printing is a tool of mass production. And there also lies the power of screen printing. Repetitive printing of the same screen might get boring but you can create some pretty cool effect if you create several pieces the share stylistic attributes or are in somehow connected with each other.
5. Structure your digital files with layers
   I create my graphics in Adobe Illustrator and always keep them tidy. That makes it easier for the process of color separation. I like to use the grid and always activate the snap to grid function when I create the graphic. I pay attention to symmetry and break it with small details. That keeps the piece simple but interesting enough to keep the viewer attached. If it is a multicolored print I add registration marks to my prints.
6. Print 100% Black
   To get a completely black stencil on your transparent check out your printers settings. I always print in black and white and with Glossy paper settings.
7. Double the stencil
   If the print doesn’t seem thick enough I print it twice and glue the transparents together by putting tape on the edges. That always helped me get a good result.

Flooding the screen

Phase II — From Screen to Paper

You know have artwork for your print. Time to push it through the screen.

1. You don’t need a yellow light bulb
   Rooms with indirect light or the blinds closed are usually shady enough to coat the screen which shouldn’t take any more than 3 to 5 minutes. Be sure to let it dry in a completely dark room and with the printing side facing down tho.
2. Do not overexpose
   Pay attention to the exposure time. If your screen is overexposed you simply can’t wash out your graphic.
3. Use a shower to wash it out
   Pretty simple but perfectly fine. Put it in there. Wet it. Let it soak for a minute or two and it should wash out pretty smoothly. Don’t use a sponge to scrub it out or you risk destroying the edges of the print.
4. A portable heater speeds things up
   I use a small heater to speed up the drying process of the emulsion as well as after washing out the emulsion. It comes in pretty handy.
5. Cover everything that shouldn’t get dirty before printing
   I also always wear gloves to print. The ink will inevitably get to some places you don’t want it to go.
6. Make test prints
   Make multiple prints to practice flooding the screen and aligning the print to where you want it. Every screen is different. Some need more ink than others.
7. Mark the placement of the screen
   Don’t just eyeball where the print should be placed. Make an initial mark while doing the first test print and then work your way to the right place by measuring where it needs to be.

Lifting the screen

Phase III–Clean Up

After you successfully printed your job isn’t done. You left a mess.

1. Fill back your excess ink
   There’s still ink on your squeegee and on the screen that can be reused. Fill it back.
2. Wash out your screen…
   …before the ink dries. Or else your screen might be ruined. Wash it out immediately after printing and you’re safe.
3. Have a trash bag by your side
   There will be a lot of things with ink on it. A big trash bag to stuff everything in is the simplest way to clean up. And in the end you just drop your gloves in there and tie it up.
4. Check your shoes
   Well, sometimes you just don’t notice you stepped on ink. Don’t be a fool and put stains on every step of your stairs. Check your shoes.
5. Uncoat with a high pressure cleaner
   Or else it takes forever. I usually clean the screen in a big plastic bucket you can find in any hardware store so it doesn’t get too messy. You can simply scoop out the water later. But beware some of the emulsion is pretty nasty for the environment. Check where you have to throw it away.

Enjoy your work