How to Make Skateboard Screens on a Budget

In this video you can learn how to make DIY screen-printing screens to print skateboards between the trucks on a budget. We show how to make the frame, pull/attach the mesh, how to coat the screen with emulsion and how to burn the image using the sun to develop the screen. There are many ways to do this, but this is how we make them and it works great for our tight budget. We intend to make more videos to show how to make skateboards at home on a budget, so please subscribe so you will be notified when we add more how to videos. The next video will be how to screen-print on a skateboard.
Amazon Affiliate Links To Screen Printing Products Used To Make This Video:
Mesh - amzn.to/3G7fZpi
Ink - amzn.to/3E55ZLx
Ribbon - amzn.to/3lYjfLw
Stapler - amzn.to/3DS18NA
Staples - amzn.to/2Xv5o60
Mesh Clamper - amzn.to/3pnqAGA
Scoop Coater 16" - amzn.to/3aUbJuU
Emulsion - amzn.to/3AVci2c
Clear Transparencies (to ink jet print your image onto) - amzn.to/2XAhTgO
Emulsion Hardener - (Spray on your dried screen after you hose out the image. It makes the image last longer) - amzn.to/3G5Ahzq
Emulsion Remover (if your screen doesn't develop right or you want to burn a different image on a used screen) - amzn.to/3vxSot9
Screen Clamps For DIY Screen Press - amzn.to/3m29qMS
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#diyskateboard #skateboardscreenprinting #diyscreenprinting

[@peoplecallmepeechez]

I love how low tec screen printing really can be

[@mudmux]

You're a legend for putting out these videos man. Thank you for the knowledge and inspiration!

[@ilias4156]

did this today.. took about 5 minutes.. and I am pretty happy...

[@ManakSkates]

Very cool!

[@mikegeary8056]

I use framing straps to to frames for my art. Thing rules. Quick and easy way to make frames. You can make the whole frame at once.

[@ManakSkates]

Great idea! Thank you!

[@rexbryson7083]

Saw one of your boards at my buddies shop yesterday, nice work. #GETALIFE #LIFESKATEBOARD #MANAK

[@declancursio2531]

I actually love this guy

[@gepettowins]

Thanks man, this is real cool!

[@JoeKyser]

Pretty cool man. I want to eventually do this. This video should help me out

[@PanxDulce]

this helps me so much.

[@ManakSkates]

Glad to hear it! Happy printing!

[@Karodrinker]

Your sound effects had me laughing. Cool tutorial.

[@ManakSkates]

Haha, you like the fart noises, huh?

[@nataliawo9]

thank u so much!!!

[@ManakSkates]

You're welcome!

[@pressureflipin1992]

Have you experimented with curved screens yet? I'm curious about them and I thought of maybe making one this week. The fabric and glue tip was awesome, that's Something I hadn't thought of. Thanks!

[@ManakSkates]

I haven’t yet. My issue is storage for them which is why my screens are smaller. We have a handful of 3 and 4 color graphics and before you know it, you have around 20 screens to store.

[@pressureflipin1992]

@@ManakSkates exactly, space is my main issue, I virtually have none so I'm lucky to have to parents that are as cool as they for letting me using their spare room to screen print. Yeah I can see how the storage for them would get out of hand. I was just reading a little article on Strangelove skateboards about screen printing boards in the 80s and came across a great reference picture for a bent screen that Powell was using it the late 80s. I might try to make it that way

[@rubensantamaria5050]

@@pressureflipin1992 how do u burn curved screens?

[@steveshook7879]

What is the name of the wide clamp you are using to provide tension during stapling? I can't identify it. Thanks!

[@ManakSkates]

A mesh clamp. There's a link to it in the video description.

[@zgagatwet1221]

thanks

[@sxribblez5873]

What did,you,do,when,you put it in the sun...transfering ?

[@ItMek071]

Thanks for the fabric strip 'n glue tip!! My screens always get loose after the first few prints.

[@ManakSkates]

Once you do that to the screen, it’s keeps the tension really well! Happy printing!

[@gl3179]

I put the staples on the side of the frame, instead of on the top (have you tried?). So far they have not ripped through the screen, but I like your tip in case my screens become loose overtime. Thx Johnny!

[@SomethingClever80]

Nice tutorial vid! Never seen that done 👍

[@ManakSkates]

Give it a shot! You don't have to print skateboards with them if you don't want to. I print posters with them too. If you stretch the screen tight enough, you can make tee shirts for the homies.

[@cloroxbleach797]

Does any know how to make or where to get the stencil for your graphics ?

[@jonwolf5986]

look into canvis streching.

[@romeisfallingagain]

i looked on your website and it said your decks dont ship to the UK. will you ever have shipping that does? thanks for the knowledge

[@ManakSkates]

We can on a case by case basis. Send an email to [e-mail]

[@oscar5967]

I don't and will probably never build one BUT definitely interesting and watched all of it . Good stuff man👍... How long have you been making skateboards?

[@ManakSkates]

Thanks for sticking through that very long video. We started making boards in December of 2019.

[@brendanassencao3012]

Hello there! Thanks for putting out this kind of content, all of the videos are super informative and helpful! The link to the fabric rope doesn’t work, any recommendations on any other kind of fabric rope ?

[@ManakSkates]

Shoelace, old jeans, any kind of canvas. Use what you can find around the house. 🤙

[@joejoe6207]

where did you get the strip of fabric and clamps?

[@ManakSkates]

Amazon

[@freemansfabrication7660]

What kind of printing process is done for your designs?

[@Souls_On_Fire]

Curious about you not mixing the diazo into your emulsion and not using a light sensitive room. You’ve never had any issues with that?

[@ManakSkates]

It’s mixed in there, I mixed it before I coated the screens. I use the sun because it works for me and I don’t have space for an exposure unit. We like using lo-fi techniques whenever possible. Haven’t had issues with the room. They dry in complete darkness until I burn them.

[@Souls_On_Fire]

@@ManakSkates ahhh okay that makes sense. And your video said to rinse out screen, after exposing, in darkness as well? So it’s letting it cure overnight in darkness and then the rinse too?

[@ManakSkates]

@@Souls_On_Fire if possible. I wash out in the shade because that’s all I have available. Definitely don’t wash in direct sunlight because it will expose the stencil area. After fully washed out, put back in the sun for a little bit to really harden/cure the emulsion.

[@-therealmizic-9800]

This vid is dope but I’m confused on what the paper is cause I think u said it was film but im not sure if that’s what it is or just paper ?

[@ManakSkates]

It’s clear transparency. You can find it on amazon.

[@mikekazz5353]

Someone mentioned that you can use those sheer curtains if you're having trouble finding a screen sheet, if anyone tried it I gotta know is it worth using.

[@justjohn9239]

How long is that scoop coater ? And what size transparency paper do you use for that 17x24 screen press ?

[@ManakSkates]

I think the scoop coater is 16" wide and I use two 11" x 17" transparencies taped together to really block the light out. The image is printed on each transparency.

[@planetkayak]

Awesome video! What length staples do you recommend?

[@ManakSkates]

1/2” work pretty good. The bigger the better I’d imagine. 🤙

[@CALAVERASTV]

What did you use to degrease?

[@ManakSkates]

Dawn dish soap. Works great.

[@declancursio2531]

Hey can you use acrylic paint instead of ink for skateboards and print printing, please answer. Cos paint seems cheaperrrr

[@ManakSkates]

We’ve never tried paint before, give it a shot.

[@declancursio2531]

@@ManakSkates I mean yeah I am also gonna try oils based but not seeing alotta luck w that. But wouldn’t solvent work too for woods ?

[@ManakSkates]

@@declancursio2531 I mean, technically yes, any ink or paint will “work” I’m just not sure if it will clog the screen or be a pain in the butt to clean off the screen after. I jar of speedball acrylic screen printing ink goes a long way and isn’t expensive in the grand scheme of things. That’s your sure bet. But it never hurts to experiment. I’ve seen guys use house paint on KZbin.

[@ManakSkates]

@@declancursio2531 Not sure, give it a shot and let us know if it worked.

[@damonmcfarland8920]

So when it comes to screen printing different graphics on a board do you have to have a whole different screen for the different graphic or can you use the same screen and make different graphics? Love the videos by the way. Making skateboards is something I really wanna pursue

[@ManakSkates]

You have to make a different screen for each graphic

[@damonmcfarland8920]

@@ManakSkates okay I figured thank you, I watched a few of your videos and saw that you would go over the image a few times to get the final product/finished graphic. How long of a process is that for you?

[@ManakSkates]

@@damonmcfarland8920 longer than one would think. You have to clean each screen after using and line up the registration individually for each color. It’s definitely a labor of love.

[@damonmcfarland8920]

@@ManakSkates I assumed it would be a bit of a process, still looks like so much fun, I’m honestly thinking about making a similar setup just like you for my back porch at my apartment haha💯

[@ManakSkates]

@@damonmcfarland8920 you should! Doesn’t take much space.

[@buildyear86]

Does it not warp when you degrease it?

[@ManakSkates]

If warping is a concern, you can put a few coats of Spar Varnish on the frame before stretching mesh over it.

[@kevinaguilar5985]

Where do you get the skatedecks??

[@ManakSkates]

There are plenty of manufacturers that sell blanks in bulk, just google search “bulk skateboard blanks.” We make our own boards from scratch in our humble garage workshop.

[@AEGYOKILLER]

frick ya dude. what kinda paper did you use for your graphic when you were burning the image onto your screen?

[@ManakSkates]

Run of the mill clear transparencies for ink jet printers.

[@ReezyResells]

@@ManakSkates thanks bro, are you just using standard 8.5x11 and making your designs to fit? Or do you have larger size transparency? I’m about to try taping some together to get truck to truck designs down. Thanks again bro, been super helpful.

[@ManakSkates]

@@ReezyResells Depending on the size of the art. We use 8.5 x 11 as well at 11 x 17 clear transparencies.

[@keltstrogner3429]

This is the most punk rock thing to happen in the last 10 yrs. Zoomer punks pay attention. -older punk

[@PARRICIDARECORDS]

Isnt that emulsion photosensitive or what?

[@ManakSkates]

It is developed by UV rays. You can use a light table or the sun.