How to create stencils on Screens using Screen Filler and Drawing Fluid.
These methods of making a stencil directly on the screen mesh allow the artist to produce a series of prints using water-based screen printing inks. Printing using screen filler and drawing fluid is a simple process that allows you to reclaim silk screens for future projects.
Screen Filler
The direct block-out or Negative Method of screen printing can be achieved by using Jacquard Screen Filler & Block Out. The screen filler blocks out the areas of the screen that you do not want to print through.
It is always a good idea to make sure your screen is completely clean before starting a new print. Use Mesh Prep Gel to degrease monofilament polyester mesh fabric.
Draw out your design on a piece of paper, place beneath the screen and trace the image onto the screen mesh with a soft lead pencil. Elevate the screen by placing items under the frame (another frame can help with this) to lift it away from the work surface. Stir the screen filler to a smooth consistency before applying with a paint brush to the areas not to be printed. Allow to dry thoroughly in a horizontal position before applying the flood stroke.
Use screen filler and drawing fluid to take this method further.
Drawing Fluid
Jacquard Screen Filler & Block Out can also be used in conjunction with Jacquard Drawing Fluid. The drawing fluid acts as a mask so that a positive method of screen printing stencil can be achieved.
Trace your design onto the screen using the method above, and paint over the areas of the design that you do want to print through with drawing fluid. Be careful to fully block out the entire area. Leave the screen to dry in a level, flat position and make sure nothing touches the areas covered with Jacquard Drawing Fluid.
When the screen mesh is completely dry, spoon the stirred screen filler onto the screen and over the design painted in drawing fluid. Use a squeegee to apply an even coating over the entire screen, in one pass. Multiple passes of screen filler will dissolve the drawing fluid.
Put the screen to dry in a horizontal position making sure nothing touches the fabric.
It is important that the screen filler dries completely before spraying with cold water on both sides of the screen where the drawing fluid was applied. These areas will wash out and leave exposed parts of the screen for ink to flow through them. Areas of the screen that remain slightly blocked can be scrubbed lightly with a small stiff brush on both sides. If necessary you can use washing soda dissolved in warm water but do not use hot water during this stage.
The screen is ready to use when it has been allowed to dry in a level position, bottom-side up.
Other methods of creating a stencil for screen printing:
An alternative to screen filler and drawing fluid is photo emulsion. Photo emulsion is a photographic stencil-making method used in screen printing to achieve very fine detail and accurate image reproduction. The process begins by coating the screen with a light-sensitive photo emulsion, which is then left to dry in a dark environment.
To create the stencil, a film positive of the design is placed onto the prepared screen. This film positive is typically your artwork printed in opaque black ink onto a transparent sheet such as acetate. The screen is then exposed to UV light.
During exposure, the light hardens the areas of photo emulsion that are not covered by the design. The parts of the emulsion shielded from the light — where the artwork blocks the exposure — remain water-soluble. When the screen is washed with water, these unhardened areas rinse away, leaving open mesh where the design appears.
The hardened emulsion remains on the screen and acts as a durable stencil (or resist). Ink can then be pushed through the open areas of the mesh during printing, accurately reproducing the image on the chosen surface.
See instructions for Stencil making with Photo Emulsion.
Please visit the Stencil Making & Emulsions for Screen Printing section of this website for further products.