As explained by Domestika in their article “What is Screen Printing and What Materials Do I Need?”, screen printing—also known as serigraphy—is a simple yet powerful technique that allows you to print designs on fabric or other flat surfaces with ink and a mesh screen. While often carried out in professional workshops, this process is accessible enough for anyone to try at home with a few essential materials.
Screen printing involves transferring a stencil design onto a mesh screen, which is stretched over a rectangular frame. Ink is then applied to one side of the screen using a rubber squeegee, with pressure ensuring the ink spreads evenly. The design is printed onto the material by blocking areas where ink is not desired using a special varnish. The beauty of this technique lies in its repeatability—once your screen is created, the design can be reproduced multiple times without losing quality.
To get started with screen printing at home, you’ll need the following materials:
- A mesh screen (silk is ideal, but polyester is commonly used)
- A rigid frame to stretch the mesh over
- A rubber squeegee to apply ink
- Ink for fabric or other surfaces
- Stencil material to block the areas where ink should not pass
- A flat surface to print on, like fabric, paper, or even wood
By mastering this straightforward process, you can create customized designs and print them on various surfaces, from T-shirts to posters, with ease.
Click here to learn more about RANAR’s advanced screen printing equipment.
Article with all rights reserved, courtesy of domestika.org.