Thursday, October 22, 2009

my creative space ... diy screenprinting

I have finally had a chance to play with some screenprinting at home this week. After reading Bend the Rules with Fabric by Amy Karol (aka Angry Chicken), I ordered the do-it-yourself EZScreenPrint kit online - which allows you to create A4 screens without photo emulsion (this system uses the sun) or hassle! Anyway, I had a go at testing a few designs, including the canisters one from a couple of weeks ago.  I have included some pics of the process and a bit of basic explanation.

The first step, as for a normal screenprint, is to print your design onto transparent (overhead) film. Then the exposure takes place in the sun for about a minute using the kit supplied.



Next, you soak the A4 emulsion in water, then wash it to reveal your design "burnt" onto the screen.



Then you dry it in the sun and you're ready to go. The kit comes with a plastic frame that you tape the screen to for printing. Mix up some fabric paint, lay some newspaper, get some scrap fabric to test on, and you're good to go!





Test print ...



Finished tea towel printed onto natural hemp/organic cotton base cloth!



It's a super easy, and pretty inexpensive system. The good thing is that the screens are permanent and can be used over and over. The only negative thing I noticed was that fine lines and small text don't come up so well - there is a finer screen available that might work better for this. Aside from that, I was pleased with the results. If you're interested in more info, head over to this post at Angry Chicken's blog - there is also a discount code to use if you want to buy some too.

For more creative spaces, visit Kootoyoo - you know you want to!

P.S. Looking forward to meeting some of you on Friday night at the launch of The Quilt Project!
P.P.S. Thanks for all of your encouraging comments last week - studio update next week.

27 comments:

Kirsty said...

That looks like a fabulous system. I'm keen to have a go myself. Your print has come up beautifully.

Anonymous said...

oh this is gorgeous your print is fabulous!!!! the system looks great! and CONGRATULATIONS on your new studio I have just been catching up with what you have been up to! looks super duper exciting :O

Unknown said...

Are you serious??? Now I want to try this out lol....

I love the phrase you went with on the jars..So cute!!!

M* (Melanie) said...

Wow. Your cannisters look fantastic. I never knew such a contraption existed! I am so happy! At last I can screen print without needing all that equipment. thank you so much for enlightening me. An amazing and inspiring creative space!

Gina said...

Nic this is very exciting. The print looks fab. How fun to do it all at home and have it come up looking so spiffy.

I am going to be restrained and not go out and buy myself one immediately (but it looks perfect for home use and small runs). Can I ask where you sourced the base cloth from? (Ink and Spindle?)

Kylie said...

Now this is incredibly interesting and very very exciting - I love it! I do it the old fashioned way - painstakingly cutting out a paper screen and it takes forever. Otherwise, if it's a design I know I'll need for big productions, I'll get a screen burnt and then have to store all these big heavy frames etc... but this is so easy and straight forward... You've won me over completely. Your tea towel designs looks fabulous. Thanks so much. Great space :) K

Cathie said...

that looks great Nic, love the design and love your oven aswell :)

Anonymous said...

Wow, I didn't realise it was that easy. I might have to give it a go

Anonymous said...

oh.
my.
goodness.
so lovely.

Pippi creates said...

Yeh!! Your test item came out so well. It looks wonderful. Great to see this system has worked for you and we'll be seeing more of it in the future no doubt. You are going to have some competition for which tea towel gets display time on that oven of yours. he he.

Peta @ Pippiwillow said...

HI Nic, The tea towel looks really great - well done to you. I do like the wording on the canisters!! Cheers. Peta

Aussie-waffler said...

That looks like fun and the tea towel looks super, infact, it would look super hanging in the kitchen at Chez Waffler too.

Erin said...

Wow that looks great! I had heard of the system but haven't seen examples of it used - definatly makes me want to try :)

Tania said...

Lady. You are on to a WINNER there. Your tea towel looks gorgeous - cripes do you ever have Christmas sorted!

Kate said...

How fantastic is that! I just love the simplicity. Your design looks great on that tea towel. I'm a bit over cutting contact stencils where fine detail is almost impossible looks like that's the answer. Thanks heaps.

Beck said...

This sounds fantastic, I wouldn't mind giving it a whirl sometime. I really like your little cannisters too x

Tracey@bountifully said...

wow, that looks great! You have inspired me to try a bit of printing myself

Melanie Gray Augustin said...

I like the look of that! It seems better than the usual photo emulsion, I'm putting that on my to-play-with-wish-list! Great design and explaination too!

lisa stubbs said...

This looks a great simple way of screen printing and being able to screen print at home too, fantastic. I love your screen printed tea towel and your progression snaps. Wish I could see the quilt project launch on Friday, have a great time!

teddybearswednesday said...

Love your print and it seems like a great little system. THank you for the demo, explanation too!!
I've always been a bit scared of screen printing but you've made it look so easy

Casie said...

That is awesome. Hands down the best thing I've seen today. Your tea towel looks great.

Liesl said...

The print looks stunning - love the cannisters!

I like the idea that the screen is reusuable. I have tried a bit of freezer paper stencilling and Gocco printing but neither are really reusuable.

Nikki said...

You make it look so easy Nic. It does justice to your canisters.. they look amazing.

And thanks for all the info and the links. I can see some screen printing in my future...

Karin van Dam said...

That looks very great. And how exciting to be able to do that from your own home!

Tracey said...

WOW! Good work. I may have to get my hands on a copy of that book :)

74 Lime Lane said...

creative space is becoming expensive, so many great new toys! love this.

Kylie said...

Thanks for showing us all how to give it a go. Although I'm sure it's not as easy as you've made it look!! Your tea towel looks fabulous.