How I Screen Print Without Photo Emulsion!

[@andrewkrahn2629]

I TA'd for the screen printing class in college and learned these things: - aluminum frames don't warp when they get wet (they were about $50 for an 18x24 screen) - the yellow mesh might be slightly worse for photo-emulsion, but it stains more slowly - a mesh around 140 (thread per inch) is good for beginners. The finer the mesh (higher number) the more fine detail you can print reliably, BUT the harder it will be to get the ink through the mesh and the faster it will dry out/clog - you can add a bit of liquid glycerin to water-based inks to extend their working time (not glycerin suppositories, lol)

[@peoplecallmepeechez]

Why is yellow mesh worse for emulsion? Pretty much all are highmesh metal screens at the shop I work at are yellow mesh. I've never noticed any obvious issues

[@maithilym4717]

You are a queen for not gatekeeping any part of your process ✨

[@peacefulsoldierTX]

I’ve been screen printing since 1986, you my lady are absolutely amazing. This is a great method for printing small stuff quickly.

[@Sammy213]

another cheap way to make small screens is using embroidery hoops and fine tule. it probably last even less than a cheap wooden frame, but you can always open them up and just make a new one. (I bought the tule in the fashion district for cheap)

[@end_orfino]

That's close to what I'm planning to do! I wanted to ask, do you have any cheaper replacement for the screen filler ink?

[@ashleyl7718]

Thank you so much for breaking this down-- knowing it's an option to just paint your design on the screen is WAY more my speed than trying to do the photo exposure process.

[@metalwheelz]

I started screenprinting using this method a looonnnggg time ago when I had a skateboard company and I printed my own boards. It is great that you are getting this to work for you! The only advice that I would give is to do just a little more research on photo emulsion. There are ways to use emulsion that is much quicker than retracing all of your art. In a nutshell, You coat the screen with emulsion and let it dry in the dark. You print or draw your art on a piece of vellum (you can get transparencies that work with ink jet printers also). Tape the art to the screen and improvise a flood light or something to expose your emulsion (or use the sun). Rinse out the unexposed part and you are done. This is a crude method of using photo emulsion and, just like what you went through learning your meatod, it will take some trial and error. But once you get it, it will go much faster for you and the stencil will be better.

[@phyconet]

This should have more views. As a person who has made their own screen printing unit and gone through the hard way of doing this I love this way of doing it. This is delightful and I wish you all the luck in the world on your future videos. Sorry for commenting on an old video.

[@yusefsadiq5929]

sppll lol

[@glennpierce1500]

Thanks for such a valuable video. In art school we did lots of photo emulsion based screen printing so its nice to find out about a more simple and handmade technique. You are a lovely person.

[@WimVandePutte-h7p]

Thank you very much Megan. I'm a teacher in graphic design, but never printed myself. I always left that to other people, but next school year I want to experiment with my students to do some screen printing without the hussle of using emulsion :-) So thank you again for your very educational video.

[@peoplecallmepeechez]

Another great way to do some pretty basic screen printing without emulsion is using paper stencils, though that can be kind of messy and not very precise. There is a pretty cool poster artist named earl Newman and this is how he prints all the color for his posters. Another way that I haven't tried but have seen is using sticker vinyl and a circut machine

[@chrysanthemum3087]

I love this method!!!! I’ve never heard of this before. I love low tech solutions and hand made feel!!!! Also love how you layer your prints. This method is just as sophisticated as the photo emulsion method but feels much more accessible financially as well as space-wise!!! The only con is not being able to do photos. But feeling inspired to do some abstract designs and layer them. Thank you.

[@BlakesPipes]

nice. old school. i have been looking at getting back in to this and glad we still have this process. nice job on the video!

[@catiemyers3429]

Great info! I really appreciate that you not only screen print/block print, but you do so using your own art. So each shirt is 100% printed by you. I am definitely going to use the screen print method for some bulk canvas totes for farmer's markets

[@elissaworkman534]

Thank you so much! I just bought the speedball starter kit and knew the drawing fluid was a better idea for my brain. Very helpful demonstration.

[@pricklypearpea]

This was SUPER helpful! My mind works similar to yours - the whole photo emulsion thing being to far out there. This method totally makes sense to me and I bought all the supplies after watching! I’ve wanted to screen print for a while but have been intimidated, thank you for making it feel accessible.

[@dutchmcfadyen5867]

This process is WAY more difficult and involved and expensive than the standard emulsion style. Don't be lazy, it's not how your mind works, that is an excuse.

[@xoxollin]

as someone who has figured out how to diy the photo emulsion method on their own through trial and error, i can definitely see the benefits of your method and its a great first step into the wonderful world of screenprinting because you need way less supplies and its a lot less daunting. however, its also going to limit the complexity of your printable designs and is a lot less repeatable, if for example you want to print 100+ shirts or bring a design back later on or whatever. photo emulsion isnt as hard as you think. you just need to print out 2 transparencies of your image, stack them up on a screen that has the photo emulsion on it (switch out your bathroom light bulb for a "safelight" -- yellowish bulb you can get online, so you can see what youre doing without prematurely exposing your screens), put a sheet of glass on top, then expose the image with a normal light. granted there is some trial and error in order to figure out proper exposure time but theres special exposure scale things you can use to determine that. then you wash out the uncured emulsion (what was covered by your image / the black parts on the transparencies. this will unlock more advanced features like halftone and just really complex and detailed image possibilities. that being said, im definitely itching to try your method as it does seem very carefree and fun! great video, i wish id seen it years ago when i was struggling at getting going with my screenprinting hobby (:

[@scibear9944]

Actually, if you do decide to use photo emulsion, you DO NOT have to print your original masks on acetate with a laser printer. You can print your mask on regular bond paper with an inkjet, making sure to set your dot pitch to maximum and print quality to high. Once you're ready to expose your emulsion, you soak your bond paper masks with baby oil and apply them to your screen, then expose for the amount of time indicated for your particular emulsion. The oil allows enough light through the mask to set the emulsion. Then rinse out the unexposed emulsion (the black parts of the original mask) and you're ready to go. The great thing about photoemulsion is that you can print full color photographs using CMYK😊

[@DanVogt]

Phenomenal advice! Thank you! Have you had a reliable success rate with this method before?

[@scibear9944]

@DanVogt Excellent success. You can use Photshop's color separation function for each color. It's a LOT cheaper and probably is just as good as acetate for most applications.

[@DanVogt]

​@@scibear9944thank you so much!! Yeah, not just cheaper, sustainable too! I have an inkjet and don't want to fill my house with plastic sheets, nor go to the library each time to print on laser. Acetate is one part of a process that just ends up being discarded. It's hard to find acetate sheets for sale in Australia, super expensive, it's like throwing money in the bin. That really reduced my motivation to experiment and work on new designs. Thank you so much, you have changed my life and others ( because of the art works I'll make) by being so generous with your advice. Thank you for your transparency!

[@scibear9944]

@DanVogt "Thank you for your transparency!" I saw what you did there, mate!!😆😆😆😆🤪 It's not a problem. I learned it in art school so I might as well pass it on, right? BTW, you can use pretty much any clear oil, so plain mineral oil or even vegetable oil (I wouldn't use olive or corn oil, tho...might absorb too much UV light and isn't exactly cheap). I like baby oil because it smells nice😋 One final thing: Depending on how dark your black prints are, they might not block out the light completely, leading to splotchy screens and prints. If that's the case, just print out two masks and line them up. You might end up with slightly fuzzier edges, so experiment until it's right for you. You can also color them in with Sharpie or India ink on a brush if necessary (before oiling, of course!)

[@DanVogt]

@@scibear9944 Marvelous. Perhaps even just printing on a thinner paper stock might be an idea - like a thin GSM - heavier than tissue paper but lighter than printing paper? What about butcher's paper, that might work?!

[@kelseycoca]

I've been working with a local shop to print shirts, but now I'd like to learn how to do it on my own. I saw a tutorial using the emulsion chemicals but that's a bit intimidating but this seems easier for my brain. I love how you combine block and screen! thank you!

[@deetee5861]

THANK YOU for making it seem so simple. I can't wait to give this a go! ❤❤😊

[@lunarios2901]

Awesome, I've been doing the same thing. I kept wasting emulsion before I discovered using the screen filler and the emulsion remover. I learned when rebuilding screens hot water and an iron to the lowest setting helps keep your screens taught, that's if you have issues with floppy screens. You had a lotta great tips I didn't think about, thanks a bunch.

[@anonnone8196]

Thanks Megan! This screening printing technique is genius! It will save me so much time and energy.

[@DanVogt]

Another option is by painting with the emulsion (or stamping) directly onto the fabric, you just draw the areas where you *don't* want paint. This is in my opinion a cheaper and more reliable technique, but it also means you have to work fast if your studio is bright, or pour smaller quantities of emulsion out at a time (don't pour unused emulsion back into the original container)

[@TAREEBITHETERRIBLE]

*she's the best!! MEGAN UR A **_LEGEND_*

[@mmlearner]

Megan, impressed with your video. It's tough communicating to artists and I love how concise you made this.

[@lisajarvis3820]

Your method was the way I learned how to do this at school!!

[@kristinb.223]

This is one of the best videos for this I have seen! Thank you

[@mtpritchett4115]

Your eyes are so pretty!!! Super helpful video, thanks so much:)

[@vilecorrupt]

love this no one talks about the screen filler method! it's my fav I like the very hands on approach and the homemade feel it g[ives with all the slight line errors you just don't get that with the emulsion method

[@Mehrvigne]

From one artist to another: Thank you so much for this video! You inspired me to try a really easy process. I went to college for an art degree, focused on printmaking. Unfortunately, serigraphy couldn't be fit into the schedule. I'm currently trying to teach myself some techniques, which is how I found your video. This is very helpful. Remember: there is no right or wrong way; just YOUR way. :) Your art is cute!

[@davisvisualdesignmyjourney6827]

Love this I am a visual Artist /Artographer it is art+photographer this video is is a representation that some artist are going where there is no path and leaving a trail for others to follow don’t get me wrong playing with new technology can be fun but doing things the old fashion way can be fun tooo

[@ahlisevela]

yessssss thankyouuuuuu this is legit the most best way i have learned to screen print. you a saint.

[@ashram12]

The reason you use tape on the screen is to prevent the ink from bleeding out of the edges of the screen: there is a gap between the wood frame and the mesh that's large enough for ink to seep through. Sure, you don't absolutely need to use tape, sometimes the ink doesn't drip everywhere, but I've had enough experience with silkscreen to not take my chances.

[@millie35998]

Could you caulk it?

[@dylanagoblin9298]

I do art prints and small things and I’ve been wanting to make clothes on a budget with my art and this is so so helpful. I’m completely new to this so I think I’ll start with the block printing as it looks easier for me personally to start with! This video covered all my basis thank u :)

[@Sarah-zf9jl]

Thank you so much! I live in a tiny place and this is so helpful for me because I was having a hard time trying to create a dark room. Awesome video :)

[@markpelloth]

Very good job of de-mystifying the process. I'm looking for an accessible, immediate way to experiment with printing, without getting buried in supporting technologies and new equipment. This video nailed it. The block printing covereage was an unexpected bonus- I simply hadn't even considered it, so thank you twice! Your artwork is great, by the way- loose an spontaneous. Very appealing. Joy and success to you!

[@pgray1971]

thank you so much for this very informative and inspiring video, i was always daunted by the idea of emulsion type screenprinting but this method seems so much more straightforward for me, all the best.

[@sansch4492]

I had no clue that it was possible to make a serigraphy without the sun exposure and the chemicals. There are still some products but manageable. big thanks for sharing. Hope it made a difference for your business and that you are selling much more 😊

[@JodiPearlman]

Thanks, Megan. Very helpful and less daunting then the very complicated emulsion/exposure route.

[@Bag_o_Rats]

Thank you so much for this info! I have always wanted to try screen printing but was always too nervous about the emulsion process. I had no Idea where were other ways. Great video!! ✨🎨

[@dutchmcfadyen5867]

There's even easier ways than this. I don't understand why emulsion is so intimidating 😢. It's much easier

[@rotinhell6669]

Thank u for sharing your method! This is exactly what I wanted to do but so many tutorials do it traditionally. I wasn’t sure if I did it differently that the ink/paint would transfer well and stay. Thank u again

[@stevenaustin7550]

Excellent, excellent video. Very clear to understand and clearly demonstrates a clear knowledge of the medium.

[@erinlovesart4131]

Megan! This is a great tutorial and video! Thank you so much for sharing. I also do not want the strange sciency chancy stuff and wish to do it directly on the screen. I knew it could be done, but thank you for showing me how! Speed all should hire you! Best to you!

[@Annie261.]

Thanks so much for sharing. I’ve worked with emulsion and the exposure is so hit or miss. Done with it.

[@leahgrace1923]

Good job! I learned from a master and 2D art (mainly Screenprinting & Drafting) was my major. Lovely work, this is exactly how I learned and yep-having screens scattered throughout your shower/bathroom can be a totally normal occurrence ;)

[@EyeLean5280]

WONDERFUL! I'm teaching printmaking and was looking for techniques & equipment that my students can easily use at home as well. Thank you!

[@nataliesealeay5937]

Thank you so much for this video! I was wanting to personalise some sewing projects at home and every other video seems to be so commercial aimed. This seems a lot more affordable and practical for home projects. Your artwork is so amazing btw. Very saleable, you should try selling some to big companies. You would make a packet

[@Lizzie333Higginson]

Great stuff, very helpful. Love your sweet and playful artwork. Many thanks Lizzie Bristol UK

[@ellebattung]

This is so informative! Thank you thank you! I just found your art through this video and I am obsessed with that goat guy on the block print.

[@melaniereeder2349]

I took screen printing in college and only used the emulsion method but I really like the idea of this method! I wonder why they opted for the other way in my class? I was just at the store today and picked up some supplies. 👍🏻

[@scottschoen3362]

You've done gooder! I learned a lot about having fun with creativity and not getting caught up in complexity of traditional or production art. Thank you.

[@tarahastie7027]

This was a really good video, you explained the steps in a really easy and informative way. I went to art school and we did screen printing the hard way and they sort of drill it into you that that's the only way. And you get used to having all the resources. But since graduating I don't have access to those same resources and have been interested in continuing printmaking but also felt like the exposure way felt quite time consuming or more difficult but I would be curious to give this way a go just to even experiment.

[@lucymerrett7362]

beautiful generous artist. good luck to you

[@glatt1]

I'm a complete beginner and I tried doing the photo emulsion technique of creating a screen so I could get a design idea I had onto a t-shirt. It was a failure. I painted the stuff on the screen in the dark, let it dry, and tried to guess how long to expose it on a sunny day based on what I read online, and I couldn't get it to wash out. I must have exposed it for too long. Complete waste of material. I figured if I tried it a few more times, I would get the hand of it, but that's expensive to keep buying all that stuff. You technique here looks much more doable, and I think I'll give it a try. Thanks for the video.

[@post-monk671]

I love the encouragement and the creative support!

[@MiauxCatterie]

loved this so much. your techniques work well with the way my brain works.

[@cchemmes-seeseeart3948]

I am totally trying this. You just made my day! I share all your sentiments expressed at the beginning of the video: I watched a video on the basics of screen printing, with needing a dark room by a sink, uv lights, special photo printer, printing transparencies & so on, & was left thinking, "I hope there is some alternative method." Your method is AWESOME & totally superior to me. I so much love this idea of actually drawing/ painting out your design by hand, with drawing fluid! It totally feels doable, & within reach, compared to all the stuff I did NOT want to deal with. This is so exciting! Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom!!... Question: for block printing portion, what do you think of acrylic paint plus acrylic paint fabric medium that you iron? I think it opens a lot more color pigment options beyond the block printing ink??? Any thoughts on this anyone.

[@hazey_dazey]

Thanks for the vid! I've always wanted to try block printing shirts, but it felt less legit than screen printing so i was nervous about it. Now, i'm really excited to make something 😄

[@cecilomar]

I did this so many times as a teen... If you have a vinyl cutter, you might want to explore the method in which you stick the vinyl to the screen, apply the emulsion, remove the vinyl and done. Also, for small batches, you can print using the vinyl itself.

[@MusicEffekt]

thanks Megan. It was a helpful and instructional video.

[@blancheapricot639]

Thank you for this great video! Exactly what I needed to be confident in starting screen printing

[@KerrisStories]

Thanks, your tutorial was so clear and concise.

[@scribblingjoe]

Okay, I'm pretty excited about this. Imma try it!

[@bymossypine]

Thank you so much for the super clear instructions! This seems way more approachable than the emulsion technique ;;;

[@deborah3709]

Thank you for walking us through this. Trial and error for sure and do be careful with the carving tools!!

[@rubinax]

You are intelligent, creative, and adorable. This was a treat to watch.

[@Freddy_4_Fingers]

As a professional printer of 20 years, I can say there is some ok advice here and some so, so advice. The biggest thing I would add to this is don't let someone make you afraid of using emulsion. It's not as complicated as sounds, and it's actually easier and less steps with cleaner results then the method being shown here.

[@StillOnTrack]

Yeah I've seen my brother do a diy shirt using emulsion and it really wasn't all that complicated. To each thier own once they've tried but yeah don't be afraid to at least try. 😊

[@peoplecallmepeechez]

Yeah for me the only thing I don't like about using emulsion is that it does go bad eventually. I've made the mistake of buying too much emulsion for how little printing I was doing. But my advice would be get a job at a shirt shop that lets you work on personal projects on the weekend. That's what helped me the most 😂

[@murlyssnippets1964]

I’m 61 and my first job was working at a Tshirt shop at 15, so I learned how to use the darkroom to do pmt’s, emulsion, cutting acetate film which was a red film emulsion, four color separation, design and then transfers. I like your technique and I agree, don’t be afraid to use emulsion but you do whatever works best for you. You can get a piece of plywood and buy the clamps, screw them on and you have yourself a silkscreen board to hold down your silkscreen to better get an even pressure. And don’t forget to include your copyright or initials on your art. Have a good day young lady.

[@KevDecorMusic]

I get what you guys are saying but I agree with her in this one due to the process of having to get the “exposure” process right and needing a “dark room” environment. I live in a one bedroom in LA, so I think she’s speaking for people like us.

[@seamlessdread]

Yea sure it might be easier but the real issue is money.

[@jeanjeannie494]

You inspire me! THank you for sharing Megan! Love you :)

[@spaheedaAT]

Thank you! Such a cute and informative tutorial 😄

[@vonsopas]

This video is amazing, thank you very much for sharing and the effort. I've wanted to make my own shirts ever since I was in highschool a good 20 years ago and now I now how and may dip my feet in it! Cheers!

[@janetholtz39]

This was an amazing, very thorough video. Thank you SO much.

[@JustineZegna]

Thank you I thought this was very useful and I’ve been discouraged from traditional screen printing.

[@egesuarpaci2718]

This is really helpful, thanks for putting it all togethwr in a really easy to understand way! I'm not from the states but hopefully I can find all the materials, or if anyone has any alternative brand recommendations, please inform me - just in case❤

[@EyeLean5280]

Materials shown: _SILK SCREEN PRINTING_ Speedball screens Speedball squeegee Speedball drawing fluid (water soluble) Speedball screen filler (non-water soluble) Speedball speed cleaner (for filler) Speedball screen printing ink _BLOCK PRINTING_ Speedy-carve (for block printing) Speedball linoleum cutter kit Speedball block printing ink Roller _MISC_ Cheap paint brushes (small one for painting image lines; wide one for filling edges of screen with filler) Palette knife generic containers (air tight)

[@millie35998]

Awesome thanks

[@HalSperry]

This vid rocks, love your prints :-)

[@deirdrelegg1160]

Epic advice for a change. Those accidents with the chisels are worse than papercuts. A little hint. If you are carving an image and you have largish spaces on the sides of your image. Don't chisel tgem out. Dig a moat around the edge of your image then grab a blade and cut them off. That way you have little stamps for wee skulls or flowers, small images to mix and match and logo names and lettering. But thank you for this information. It's made my life oober easier🤟🤟🤟🤟

[@mermaidlafemme1022]

One word Megan BRILLIANT....i have liked and subscribed to show support for your channel hugs from Scotland 🤗🙂

[@mari-atonjalkanen9920]

excellent tutorial! thank you dear starseed!

[@sandyplants521]

This video has been so helpful for me. Thank you!

[@videoemilioisis]

Very nice video, with lots of great info. Thanks

[@tamarasafford2275]

thank you ..great tutorial! I can really understand it quite well. Thank you

[@kathytanner9191]

For the blocks that you carve it seems difficult to manipulate after the paint is on it. As a suggestion a paint stick, or large popsicle stick, could be attached to the back so that it is easier to pick up and place and dry before storing.

[@CookieZ3353]

Thank you for the tapeless version of screen printing!

[@AaronHendu]

I did some pretty complicated lino cut blocks in college...I never thought to use them to print on clothing...and since they are already carved, and im lazy...maybe I will use them on some blank tees ive got.

[@kaylenebruce7691]

Thank you for taking out the mystery.

[@comontoshi]

Thanx . . . wonderful unpretentious video! 😘

[@neworleansaints3743]

Great video! Thanks for introducing the block printing as well. I’m going to have to try that out as well!

[@EdenAntebi1]

Thank you for a great video, your art is so wonderful ❤

[@ChuckLeeMBM]

great video thx!! Feels like genuine vibes over here!

[@peg_e]

You can use a hairdryer and an iron to fixate ad dry your print before it dries out on its own

[@Sammy213]

also I love your characters they are so cute !

[@Deeken171]

Small Pro tip for DIY block printing since you likely won't have a Press in your home. You can use the back of a wooden spoon to press the substrate into the block with a kind of circular motion and it typically does a better job of transferring the ink than just pressing with your hands.

[@nobodyimportantt341]

thank you for sharing your process! while i love working with photo exposure, I don't have the space (or ventilation) to do the emulsion stuff, so I've been longingly looking at screen printing from afar lol I really want to try this method now

[@DanVogt]

Another option is by painting with the emulsion (or stamping) directly onto the fabric, you just draw the areas where you *don't* want paint. This is in my opinion a cheaper and more reliable technique, but it also means you have to work fast if your studio is bright, or pour smaller quantities of emulsion out at a time (don't pour unused emulsion back into the original container)

[@lowpolytigerfigurine]

youre the absolute coolest for this tysm!!

[@boxedlea]

never delete this video ahaha i'm doing a shirt business and am looking to do screen printing

[@Atomsandpixels]

Time = money, this process takes so long. As a screenprinter, My recommendation to all artists is to go down to your local screenprinting shop and ask them how much it would cost for them to burn a screen for you. it’s usually affordable (if not, ask multiple shops until you find one that is) and the screen quality they provide you will be good for thousands of prints. As well as the screens they use will be aluminum frames and will be larger than the ones in this video, meaning you’ll be able to fit multiple designs on one screen.

[@oflodamonster]

This is so freaking cool! Thanks so much for sharing!

[@irmamontelongo8407]

Thanks, the other way was a bit to much. I'm using the silkscreen for my ceramic pieces. Thanks again.

[@Winterfang]

You are really pretty!!!!!

[@johnny5fingers0966]

If you do decide to do the emulsion process you can actually print your design on normal printer paper using the darkest black and white setting you can get then put a little cooking oil on a paper towel and wipe the paper making it translucent no need for acetate. I've done it a bunch and it works.

[@lw9068]

Great teaching! Great video!

[@Slksht91]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@thelemonwho]

Hi, just wanted to say thanks and you're awesome!