Supplies for ScreenPrinting:
- Film transparencies
- Inks
- Squeegees
- Screens (take into account details in the graphic and print process; manual/auto)
- Rags or Shirts to clean up ink and cleaner
- Solvents for cleaning screens and adhesive for shirt pallets
- Ink Spatulas
- Screen printing tape( ink/solvent resistant)
- Shirts
When printing take into account the type of quality you want in your work. Plastisol is a commonly used ink and it doesn’t dry up if left out, making it easy to continue prints at a later time. After print is cured plastisol has a texture to the print and depending on the print Water based ink prints have to dry slower and the ink drys into the fabric as opposed to plastisol ink which sits on top of the fabric.
Choosing the right squeegee is another vital part of the print process. The different squeegee colors signify the hardness/softness of the plastic ends of the squeegees. Green tend to be more of a middle ground when some manufacturers have different colors they use for their products. Yellow is a little harder but but not too stiff. Blue squeegees are solid and make the ink spread more when printing this is good for inks that have a glitter additive in them and need more open space for it to pass through.
Screen opener spray bottles are a great resource to have in a print setup. They’re more convenient than having a big bottle or container and having to pour some into a rag or plastic spray bottle. However use this product sparingly, it has a strong oder to it and should always be used in a well ventilated area.
Choosing the right screens will save time and prevent headaches. Make sure you chose according to the details in the artwork. Line art, text and bold imagery print better with low mesh screens and finer detail and halftones are best printed using higher mesh screens. As for screens you can go DIY and make your own using a wood frame, screen mesh and a staple gun. You can also opt for aluminum screens these are more commonly used but if the screen rips then you have to use tape to fix it, work around it or take it to get re-stretched. A third option you can go for is making your own screen using metal roller frames, the advantage here is that you can buy a large roll of screen mesh and when necessary stretch the screens yourself. However this is more of a process but if you have the space for it then it could be a good investment. Below you’ll find the various screen meshes you can use when printing and how to use them.
