Silk Screening

[FishFishRevolution]

So for this entire month I couldn't really think of anything I wanted for Christmas. I asked for a few little things here and there, like T-Shirts and CDs, but I was short one big item. It would usually be a game system or something, but I've got all the games and systems I want right now. Just this morning, I realized I really want a silk screen, the problem is I don't know ANYTHING about the process, the machine, or the cost at all. I know I saw some on ebay for $80-$200, and I know there are a few different types, but I would really appreciate some advice in the way of brands or types I should ask for for Christmas (or if it doesn't work out in time, I'll probably just have them buy it for me after Christmas).

Does anyone have experience in this area?

[Spazzbite]

RE: Silk Screening

I used to do a bit of silk screening in my old Tech and Plastics class in 8th grade, but I didn't do much of it. With the materials that we had, it was a pain in the ass. If you want to silk screen your own designs, you'll have to have a special printer that will convert your monochromatic design into a thin plastic screen. If you're lucky and didn't get any extra holes, and your design printed right, then you put your plastic screen on the screening board with shirt/rag/whatever underneath, and hope that you apply the ink just right so the design is actually legible.

Basically, if I were you, I would stick with transfer paper if you want to do what silk screening does.

[GuidoHunter]

RE: Silk Screening

Uh, what's silk screening?

--Guido

http://andy.mikee385.com

[gardyloo]

RE: Silk Screening

Are you doing this for professionally or just for yourself? If you're just going to wear them around then I would suggest just making stencils and painting it on(with acrylic or spray paint, but be cautioned: cotton soaks up paint like none other. Be careful and take your time).

[JurseyRider734]

RE: Silk Screening

We silk-screened shirts for Art Club during our pep rally, and all I remember seeing my teacher do was take the silkscreen on the shirt, and then she poured some paint on the screen and pushed it down with this big rubber thing a few times so it got on the shirt. Then you have to heat-press it so that it doesnt come out in the wash. I'm sure the making-the-screen-part is much harder than anything else. If you screw up it will look like shit, though. It's also kind of hard to get a bright pattern on a dark shirt, too.