Who says you need a printing press to make a screen print? You can just use the sun. That’s right, it’s called solar screen printing. Check out this demonstration by Detroit artist, Andrea Eckert, to see how you can bring an image to life. The print Andrea and her kids are working on is of Holding House, a great space on Michigan Avenue she plans to turn into a new studio and exhibition space for youth programs. Let’s see what we can learn as she takes her kids through the printing process.
What you need:
the image you want printed onto a transparency in black and white (make sure to use an ink jet printer), emulsion, a printing screen, cardboard big enough to cover the screen, tape, glass to cover the transparency, access to water, ink, an art squeegee, and paper
Steps:
1. Put emulsion on screen and allow it to dry for 2 hours.
2. Take the screen outside, covered with cardboard to prevent premature exposure.
3. Remove the cardboard and tape the transparency (with the image facedown) onto the screen (with emulsion side up).
4. Cover the transparency and screen with the glass. Allow it to expose in the sun for about 2 minutes.
5. Remove the transparency and rinse the screen.
6. Let the screen dry for around 30 minutes.
7. Now you’re ready to print! Place paper under your screen and secure everything in place.
8. Squirt ink onto the screen and spread it across the screen with the squeegee.
9. Lift up the screen and repeat steps 7-9 to create duplicates.
Andrea’s workwear: Carhartt Women’s Force® Performance Quarter Zip and Relaxed Fit Canvas Kane Dungarees. Deck out your kids in Carhartt too!
Crafted in Carhartt 