Professional silk screen operations use machines and specialized materials to produce silk screen apparel, but you don't have to invest in expensive equipment and supplies to create your own silk screen shirt. You can make silk screen printed shirts with a few inexpensive items, many of which you probably already have at home. Once you prepare a screen, you can create a small edition of silk screen shirts in a single afternoon.
Instructions
1. Cut a piece of sheer curtain material large enough to stretch over the embroidery hoop.
2. Stretch your material over the embroidery hoop's inner ring. Slip the outer ring into place and tighten the screw to secure your material in place. Make sure the screen fabric is stretched taut.
3. Place your screen, top side down, over your image and tape into place. Trace the image outline in pencil.
4. Turn over the screen so the top side is up, and with a fine paint brush, begin filling in the negative space with decoupage glue. Cover the areas where you don't want ink to print and allow the glue to dry.
5. Slide a cardboard barrier between the front and back of your shirt to prevent ink from bleeding through and position your screen. The top side should face down, and you should anchor it to prevent it from shifting during the printing process.
6. Place a dollop of ink on the screen and use the edge of a piece of cardboard to distribute the ink evenly over your image.
7. Remove the screen and allow the printed image to dry.
8. Heat set your screen printed image either by placing your completed prints in an oven heated to 200 degrees Farenheit or by ironing over the image.
9. Rinse any excess ink from your screen after each printing session.
