How to Build a Silk Screen

(Page 2 of 2)

November/December 1981
By Kristina Stadler 
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Finally, you can start to print. Set one card in place under the screen and pour the special ink onto the screen. Then use a rubber-edged squeegee to spread the ink evenly across the fabric. (My parents sometimes help me do this part.) Your first few prints may not turn out too well, but they'll get better as you go along. Just take your time and have fun. Don't hurry or you'll get splotches all over your cards.

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You can make as many cards as you want, but be sure you have plenty of drying space for them. One time we covered our whole living room floor with prints spread out to dry, and then discovered we could hardly get out of the rooml After your cards are all printed, it's time to clean your equipment. (You'll find the instructions you need on the ink and blockout solution cans.) Then when the cards are all dry, you can stack them into packages with their envelopes.

OUR SILK-SCREENING BUSINESS

It takes my sister and me two hours to design a new note card and to trace its pattern on the screen. We can print 600 sheets in three hours. And, after the cards are all dry, we can package them up for sale in one hour.

Katie and I spent $2.00 to rent a booth at the church fair, $11 for the paper and envelopes we used, and $1.00 for ink and fluids. (We already had our screen and some fluids, so that cut down our expenses. It will cost you more the first time you try this because you'll have to buy all the supplies.) That's a total of $14.

We sold 20 packages of cards at the church fair for $1.25 each. (There were 15 cards in each packet.) So our income from the fair was $25, and after we subtracted our expenses, our profit was $11! My sister and I were both pleased with the money and the project. In fact, we were so happy that we plan to make and sell silk-screened note cards again . . . and again . . . and again....

EDITOR'S NOTE: Since many of the printing inks and cleanup solvents are very hazardous if inhaled or ingested, silk-screening should always be done in wellventilated areas and under adult supervision. Wearing an organic vapor mask when printing and latex gloves when cleaning up may also be advisable.

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  • Aggie Janicot 7/13/2009 9:27:49 PM

    I'm an art teacher and I want to suggest linoleum block printing too.

    You can use water based inks from Speedball, and they have nice metallic water based inks for both linoleum and silk screening too. They are safer to use with children, and many of the Speedball water based inks are certified Non-Toxic for the classroom and children.

    In the past, I've used cheap acrylic craft paints for both, just make sure you clean up your screens/linoleum blocks well. You can do the basic screen printing/block printing in a black or brown, then use water colors to hand color them in.

    Aggie

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