These are hot off the printing table and l wanted to share what l've been up to this morning.
l have my screen with the vintage image burnt on to it ( l will explain how l do this in another post)
The screen needs to be taped around the edges,on both sides, l just use packing tape, this prevent any ink bleeding out where the frame and the mesh meet.
My screenprinting board ,you'll have noticed has different tape markings and l use them to line up the position of whatever item l'm printing on.
This is a tote bag ,so l've taped the outline of the shape of it, marked a centre.
l take my transparency film that l used to get my image on my screen, to find a nice placement of the image.
Now l'm happy with the position of my image, l lay my screen on top and of the transparency film
Make sure you remove the transparency film, before you try printing, l speak from experience.
l place just an old art canvas board inside my tote bag, just incase the ink bleeds through the layers of fabric, some inks are runnier.
Run a long blob of ink above the top of the image.
l've place my squeegy just above the ink ,the squeegy needs to be wider than the design, to give a nice cover.
l hold the squeegy with my right hand because l'm right handed and l hold the frame firmly in place with my left.
Steadily l pulled the ink down to the bottom of my screen, at an angle of 45 `, while there l do a scooping action against the bottom of the frame and try and keep the ink on the rubber part of my squeegy as a need to do another pull down. (Still keep holding the frame firmly in place)
* have a practise with out any ink, just to get the feel.
One more pull down with the ink , l don't like to do more than two pull downs, as the image can become blurry.
Now either place the squeegy at the top of the screen or where it won't touch anything you dont want ink on, again l speak with experience.
Also check your hands for any ink,(l like to keep a small wet rag close by,somehow l always get ink on my fingers !!)
Now gently lift the screen up.
Nows the exciting time to see if it worked out. ( My first print l like to use a scrape of fabric or an old tea towel, so its not a waste if the image doesn't work out )
Hang each print as you go on a clothes horse or somewhere its not windy ( again l speak with experience)
Set the iron to a cotton setting,l don't use a dry iron and l iron straight on the design, moving the iron over it for about 1 to 2 mins.
l'm really happy with these prints,,,now what color next,,,the idea's never stop!!!
~ kim ~
love your blogs kim,, so easy to understand and i love the helpful hints ( from experience ! ) troubleshooting the problems that will occur up front is a great idea and the photo's are great quality, clear and easy step by step process. love your work !
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