How to Make a Screen for Screen Printing

Screen printing allows you to print your favorite artwork on fabric, wood and other materials. One screen provides endless identical copies of a design. Craft and art supply stores sell premade screens, but it's less expensive to make your own out of common items. You can also alter the size of a homemade screen to fit specific needs.

1. Cut
   a 1-by-1-inch board into two 11-inch and two 17-inch lengths.


2. 
   

   Place
   the 11-inch boards between the two 17-inch boards to form the
   rectangular frame. Screw the corners together using 2-inch long wood
   screws.

   
   


3. 
   

   Lay
   a piece of screen printing silk on top the frame. Use a piece larger
   than the frame. Adjust the silk so the grain of the fabric runs
   parallel to the top and bottom of the frame.

   
   


4. 
   

   Staple
   the top center of the silk to the frame. Pull the silk taut and
   staple the bottom center. Continue stapling, alternating between the
   top and bottom. Repeat for the sides, ensuring that it
   remains taut at all times.

   
   


5. 
   

   Trim excess silk with a pair of
   scissors.

   
   


6. 
   

   Coat
   the front and back of the screen with a thin coat of photo emulsion.
   Follow the package directions for mixing and applying it properly.
   Allow the emulsion to dry in a dark place until it feels dry to the
   touch.

   
   


7. 
   

   Place
   your frame screen-side down on top of a black blanket spread out in
   direct sunlight. Print your image onto a plastic transparency sheet
   and lay it on top of the screen. Leave the screen out in
   the sun until the emulsion changes color and develops a blue hue.

   
   


8. 
   

   Remove
   the image and run the screen under water to rinse the emulsion
   from the image area. It may require some scrubbing. Use
   the screen immediately or store it until you are ready to print.