Screen Printing Information

Gloves on to start.

-Binder for screen printing (Looks like PVA and dries clear (3 spoonfuls))

-Paint (Only need a tiny amount, no matter how much paint you add it won't get darker or lighter)

Binder is only for light fabrics and paper.

-Opaque binder (Needs to be used for black/dark fabrics and papers (opaque binder is a lot thicker than normal))

-Always build up the colour instead of dumping loads in

-Always make notes of how much you are putting in

- About 5 prints with the opaque binder before washing your screen out

ALWAYS DO EXPERIMENTS FIRST SO YOU KNOW THE COLOURS YOU WANT

-There are only 6 colours of ink

The image you are using must always be in black and white (Cannot be in colour)

Buy some acetate and use the photocopier to copy your image onto the acetate (Only the photocopier in the print room can do this so do NOT try doing this through any other photocopiers in the college)

Always book you screen 3 days in advance (Must fill out the appropriate form)

If you leave the screen in the light for too long it will ruin the screen.

Always ask people using the room and/or the lecturers if the machine has been charged. (Needs to be charged for at least 5 seconds)

When using the machine:

- Make sure your image isn't back to front. Must be readable!

- Lid down, claps on

- Press the vacuum button (push down on the corners to make sure it vacuums fully)

- Press the green button to start and watch the time run down (should be on 85)

- Once the clock has gone back to 85, turn the vacuum off

Wash your screen off (Back and front) and leave to soak for a couple of seconds

- Wash of immediately after a few seconds otherwise it might not come off. (If you use other wash room make sure you use the yellow hose!)

Screen dryer - Turn it on (if not on already) About 15- 20 minutes to dry.

(The lower the number the thicker the ink that can go through, yellow is for paper)

If printing onto fabric, iron the fabric first - tape the material down

If layering, build up the colours - start with the lightest colour first

Squeegee - make sure its dry, clean and fits over your image. (Rounded are good for fabrics and square for paper)

Mask the edges of the frame, look for any holes in the mesh/frame too so you can cover them up with tape before printing.

Always use newsprint paper for ink, prints and squeegee so you don't get the ink all over the surfaces around you.

MAKE SURE YOU REGISTER EVERY PRINT FIRST

PRINT IN PAIRS

Hair dry your images when you've finished