Mastering Thermofax Printing: Basic Printing, Choosing Materials and Layering Elements

[@susancrawford]

Thanks for creating this series. Now I need to find out more about Thermofax. Another direction for my art. What fun!

[@deborahlynn7439]

Susan Crawford great videos, do you know where I could buy the risotto mesh? I’m in the uk and brought a thermoforming machine but can’t find anywhere to buy the film 😟. I use it for ceramics.

[@maggiedonald1974]

One of my favorite mark-making tools! Thanks Jane!!

[@deborahgiles8214]

Awesome Jane! Thanks for sharing this. Great instruction as always.

[@JaneDunnewold]

You are so welcome!

[@cynthiasymons]

I was using mimeograph machines at my first teaching job in 1991.

[@passionatelysewndesignsbyj5511]

Hi... what size mesh do you use for your screens... thanks

[@JaneDunnewold]

Hi Janeene - we use Riso 70 mesh, 11.75 inches wide.

[@passionatelysewndesignsbyj5511]

Thanks.... going to give your instructions a whirl.... thanks for making the video...

[@Allthingspottery]

Where can I purchase the thermofax machine? I am a potter living in Canada and would like to make screens that work with underglaze medium.

[@JaneDunnewold]

Hi Kim, The machines haven't been made for 40 + years so anything you found would be used, but they are simple machines and easy to keep going. Ebay or the Canadian equivalent is probably your best bet. Schools sometimes still have machines in storage somewhere but that's a long shot. There is a Japanese machine on the market for tattoo artists but it is lighter, cheaper, and mainly plastic so not really good for other applications, like the screens we make. If you are on FB you might put out a call to friends as sometimes someone has one they would sell or "share."

[@artofthebudget]

great series, we just got a thermofax. do you recommend getting screen from welsh? any other sources?

[@JaneDunnewold]

Welsh is good for now. They will be closing so stock up if you can.

[@beverlea1961]

Can you use fabric paints with this screen?

[@JaneDunnewold]

absolutely! You can use anything but oil paint as far as my experience has shown. Thanks for asking, Beverley.

[@kiddywriter]

Quick question...sometimes part of the paper in the corners stick to the mesh after printing in the thermofax. Any idea why this happens?

[@JaneDunnewold]

Without more info I can't be sure why that happens.

[@mkkoski2349]

Where can we purchase screen material now Welsh is closed. The film/screen I have is old and does not work well.

[@JaneDunnewold]

Hi there! We buy our screen from Xpresscreen-xpresscreen.com.

[@SipLeila]

If you just want to imagine your own design as you go, do you need to use the thermofax? Or is it for people who do not draw?

[@JaneDunnewold]

It can go either way. It just depends on how you work. One neat thing is that you can turn your own drawings into Thermofax screens so you can print multiple images of your art work if you want to.

[@SipLeila]

@@JaneDunnewold I do draw and have made some fabrics using Spoonflower fabric printing services. I design them on the computer. I am always interested in this subject. Thank you for getting back to me.

[@janreale741]

where can I get a roll of the thermofax silkscreen material?

[@JaneDunnewold]

Write to [e-mail] and he can provide the contact information.

[@rodstohogs]

@@JaneDunnewold Is there a more affordable place to get the silkscreen material in smaller quantities? I only want to make 5 T-shirts so spending $350 for the mesh stuff doesnt fit in my budget.

[@celestes4687]

How large of a design could you print???

[@JaneDunnewold]

roughly 8 x 10.

[@breeevian7015]

Can I use a tattoo stencil copier/printer to make a screen as this video suggests: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4e0fHqCjr2nj5I. I assume it’s the same Process, just using stencil paper with a thermal (print head/machine) that will burn the design (copy) into the thermal paper? You can purchase the machine for around £40 and the stencil paper for around £40 (a long roll) why not do this instead of emulsion and mesh screens, if you just a hobbyist/ DIYer??

[@JaneDunnewold]

Right now it doesn't look as though that machine is available but it is essentially the same process. And just an FYI that thermal "paper" is actually the same thing as the screen I use. It ins't paper it is a thin polyester mesh bonded to a coating of plastic, which is what the machine removes.