Screen Print Induction

The aim of the screen print induction was for us to have a go at screen printing in a 4-ink CMYK print for ourselves. I have never took part in making something via the act of Print Screening so I wanted to make sure that I got involved and had a go for myself.

Preparation for Screen Printing

We needed to set up the boards for print screen by adjusting the sizes and tightening them down so that when they are being lifted and printed on, they don't move. Gaffer Tape is then used to go around the area that you are printing on so that the ink doesn't run and go all over the surface area. Using a layer of aescitate to be printed over the top of so as to determine the print quality and print placement, you can measure whereabouts you need to put your paper from underneath. As for the printing technique, you have to use 30% acrylic and 70% binder for the paint and put a large pool of it on the screen. Lining up the paper, you use a vacuum to hold the paper in place. Using a large squeegee, you need to push the paint towards you and then, when lifting up the screen, push it away from you. For the second, third and fourth layers, you use the printing dot markers to make sure you get the right overlay each time.

Yellow First Layer

Magenta Second Layer 

Cyan Third  Layer

Key Fourth and Final Layer

We cleaned the boards and put away the rest of the ink which gave the ink time to dry. In the print session, we had made 2 prints so I used one to keep flat and another to produce a hot-dog book.

Trimmed Down, Cut down the Middle and Folded

To make a hot dog book, we needed to trim the page down and cut down the middle with a scalpel. Then we needed to fold the paper down the seams to make the book shape.

Finished Hot Dog Book- Front and Back

I managed to make the hot dog book successfully and I think the printing quality made it appear quite homely and inviting due to the handmade quality of the printing.