My First Product

I’ve completed my first attempt to silk screen an image today. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with the way it turned out, but I still think I need to tweak a few things to get it just right.

For one, I used a lightweight batiste fabric as my “screen.” (Batiste is essentially a very thin cotton fabric that can be picked up at any fabric store and in a variety of colors). Most websites and silk screening demonstrations recommend a sheer fabric, tulle, or even nylons ie.) pantyhose. I think next time I will try a different fabric medium to see how my results may vary.

Here is a breakdown of the steps:

1.) 1.) Choose a high contrast image. I chose a picture of my bicycle and used Photoshop to “black out” the image into the areas that I wanted to transfer. It is important to have a stark contrast between the white and black space on the image for the image transfer process.

2.) 2.) Position the fabric in the embroidery hoop. Keep the fabric as taut as possible to make sure that the fabric will not shift.

1.) 3.) Place the embroidery hoop with fabric over your image. You are going to trace the image onto your “screen” ie.) your embroidery hoop. Place the screen over the image so that the fabric is touching image.

2.) 4.) Trace your image using a pencil, pen, or marker.

1.) 5.)Use the ModPodge to paint the screen. You want to apply the ModPodge to the negative space on the screen ie.) the area that you do not wish to transfer. Apply two to three generous coats.

2.) 6.) Let the screen dry.

1.) 7.) Transfer your image. Place your screen, with the fabric closest to the transfer surface, onto your surface. If using a T-shirt, place a piece of cardboard between the layers.

1.) 8.)Pick a screen printing ink color and paint your screen carefully so that your screen does not shift.

1.) 9.) Remove screen from the transfer surface and let the ink dry. This step can take a while depending on how much ink you used to paint your screen.

1.) 10.) Once the ink is dry, iron both sides on medium for 3-5 minutes and you're ready to wear your design out!