Screenprinting - 1 of 3

WHAT IS IT?

An open mesh fabric is stretched over a frame and areas blocked out to create a design. Ink is then forced through the mesh with a squeegee onto a surface below. The design can be applied in a variety of ways using torn or cut paper, a screen filling solution, backed printing film or photo emulsion.

Printing can be carried out using simple wooden frames right the way through to fully mechanised printing beds and tunnel dryers.  

THE SCREEN

I use aluminium frames covered with a monofilament mesh of 100TPI (threads per inch). This give me the level of definition I want in my prints.

As screen filler I use backed printing film or photo emulsion mostly.

THE DESIGN

Whatever initial idea or image the print is based upon it will be printed out as  a  series of    individual

colours, each requiring a separate screen. The first task is to create a black and white image for each, useful for hand cut designs but necessary for photo emulsion screens.

HAND CUT STENCILS

For hand cut stencils I use a propriety stencil material, a layer of film on a polyester backing. With the material tacked over the design, areas of the film can be cut and lifted away leaving the backing complete.