Area 49

Speedball Screen Printing Kit

Screen size: 14in x 10in

Paint Colors: Black, Red, White, Blue

Cost:

• No cost.
• Bring your own material to screen print on. Some scrap fabric available.

When screen printing, there are several techniques that can be performed to achieve your desired print. The most common technique for screen printing is the Cut Paper Stencil method. This is the most introductory method and is best for quick and simple graphics. The Cut Paper Stencil method involves creating a stencil from a sheet of paper.

1. For your stencil, draw or print your design on a sheet of paper.
   1. Keep in mind that your design must connect into one piece. Any free floating shapes or shapes within shapes will fall out of place when printing.
2. Using an exacto knife, cut out your design.
   • Exacto knife blades are extremely sharp, so exercise caution when using them. Always cut away from yourself and anyone around you.
   • When using an exacto knife, always place a cutting mat underneath to protect the surface you are cutting on.
3. Lay a backing sheet of paper on the wooden frame base to catch any ink that bleeds through your material. Lay your chosen material on top and position your stencil on the material.
4. Once positioned, tape the outer edges of your stencil to the back of the printing screen and lay the printing screen on top of your material.
5. Using a paint sponge, apply a line of paint above your design.
   • Do not apply paint directly on your design or on any open mesh on the screen.
   • Start with thinner layers of paint and apply more as needed.
6. Use the provided squeegee to push and pull the paint across your design.
7. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you have achieved your desired look
8. Once finished, scrap any remaining paint off the printing screen using the squeegee and return the excess paint to its original jar. Rinse the screen with soap and water and let dry.
   • If any paint has dried on the screen, gently scrub the front and back of the screen.
   • Screen staining may naturally occur and will not affect the quality of future prints.
9. For additional information refer to the Screen Printing Instruction Manual.

Printing ink is bleeding outside of the design

Applying too much pressure while pulling paint across your design can cause the ink to bleed outside of your design. Try applying less pressure when pushing and pulling your paint.

Edges of design are soft or blurry

This indicates that the printing screen is not making enough contact with your material. Try propping more sheets of paper behind your material until the material is touching the screen.

The image was printing clearly but is now printing less with each print

The printing ink you are using may have started to dry on the screen. Spray water onto the screen and pull a few test prints before continuing.