How to Do Screen Printing on Fabric

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Screen printing on fabric is a wonderful way to improve the look of fabric and to make any sort of pattern that suits your needs. You will need a reasonable amount of space and to set aside some time to dip in and get messy but the end results are well worth the effort. This article explains how to screen print fabric.

Steps

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  2. Staple one of the corners first, stretch it, then staple the opposite corner. Go back to the first corner, stretch the fabric, and staple about one inch clockwise from the 1st staple you made. Go back to the opposite corner, stretch the fabric, and staple one inch clockwise next the other staple. Keep doing this, going back and forth, and stretching every time, until you get all the way around the screen. What should happen is that you have to re-staple the first couple that you made because they are looser than the rest.
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  3. (although some emulsions are safe to use in a low light/sunlight environment). The package should have directions on how to prepare the emulsion. Spread on both sides, make sure the whole thing is wet, with no spots missed. To see what you are doing, use a red photo-darkroom light. [1]
  6. [2]
  7. Set up your lamp directly over the screen (distance according to directions), and turn the light on for however long it says in the directions.
  8. Let dry. [3]
  9. Lay your screen staple-side down on your fabric, put a line of paint on the screen, along one side, and with your squeegee, lay down a flood stroke using light pressure, the next pass should be firm with a smooth motion to press the ink through the screen onto the fabric. [4]
  10. Let dry. [5]
  12. [6]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I do digital printing on fabrics?
    Peggy Carlton
    Crafting Expert
    Peggy Carlton is a Leather Expert based in Tacoma, WA. In 2005, she founded PeggySueAlso Leather, a cutting edge leather seller and one of the largest sellers on Etsy. PeggySueAlso Leather buys from some of the largest and best tanneries in the world, and were the first to offer more niche sizes to support a wider range of clients from shoe makers, to earring makers, to bag makers, and more. PeggySueAlso Leather carries around 165,000 sq ft of leather in stock, with unique offerings like digitally printed leather and custom orders.
    Peggy Carlton
    Crafting Expert
    Expert Answer
    Yes! Digital printing is the latest method in fabric printing; this method is also the best way to get vibrant, detailed designs. Unlike the conventional method of screen printing, digital printing places the design right on the fabric with the help of a special kind of inkjet printer. That works pretty well on many types of materials—from natural fibers like cotton to synthetic types of polyester. Digital is now becoming more popular because it allows for complex, multi-colored patterns without needing separate screens for each color, making it more efficient for small batches or custom work. Just keep in mind that the type of fabric and the type of ink used can affect the final result, so it’s important to choose compatible materials for the best outcome.
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  • Question
    What type of ink should I use to screen print on fabric?
    Community Answer
    Direct permanent screen printing ink or fabric paint.
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  • Question
    What is the best type of squeegee?
    Community Answer
    It depends on what color ink you're using, but a 70 squeegee is good for most. They are generally green in color. It will bend under the pressure of your hand gripping it, but only a little.
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      Warnings

      • It's easy to apply too much emulsion to the screen because you will probably have a great deal of extra. If you do this and drips form as it is drying, these will form holes and accidental open spaces in the screen. You will need to patch these later.
        Thanks
        Helpful 10 Not Helpful 6
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      Things You'll Need

      • organdy silkscreen fabric
      • wooden artist frame
      • staple gun with staples
      • squeegee
      • set of silkscreen photo sensitizer and emulsion
      • heat-set fabric paint
      • your chosen image printed out in all black (no grayscale) on a transparency
      • a big cleared space to set up your light station
      • lamp with a 200 watt bulb.
      • a safe light room (not a dark room), a few sheets of yellow cellophane over fluorescent tubes does the trick
      • black non-glossy paper
      • place to wash your screen (shower or tub)
      • whatever fabric you want to print on
      • household iron
      • cleaning Powder (for frame washing)

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDDE8VvViFo
      2. ↑ https://lifehacker.com/a-simple-guide-to-screen-printing-your-own-shirts-5886483
      3. ↑ https://lifehacker.com/a-simple-guide-to-screen-printing-your-own-shirts-5886483
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIHOSzbNT8Q
      5. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2010/may/11/how-to-screen-print-tshirts-at-home
      6. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/laundry-linens/clothes/how-to-wash-clothes-by-hand/

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      • Molly Tanwell

        Oct 24, 2016

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