Bella loves doing summer crafts! Here is a quick and easy project you can do with your kids.  If you want to spend more time together crafting try my DIY stepping stones 0r this t-shirt bag tutorial!

 

Screen Printed Shirt Tutorial

It is always super fun to make your own t-shirts  I used  Plaid’s new Simply Screen.

This handy dandy kit comes with everything you need to set up your own shop. What a great way for kids to show their artistic expression! Imagine the possibilities for parties, teams, events and just plain fun.

I created a design in black and white on the computer. Artwork can also be hand drawn with a Sharpie marker.

Owl with Who Me?

Owl

Remove the protective paper from the blue screen. Place the design face down on the sticky side of the screen. Use the squeegee to make sure it is completely adhered. Place the screen inside the box, blue side down.

Close box and turn the light box on and expose the screen for 25 minutes.

Fill the tray with water. Remove artwork and soak the blue screen in the water for about 30 seconds. With the sponge rub both sides of the screen removing the emulsion from the areas to be printed. This takes some time, especially if your design has fine lines (like words). Make sure the areas to be printed are completely white. Allow screen to dry.

Place something hard inside the t-shirt to keep the ink from bleeding through to the back and to provide a smooth surface for printing. Place a row of ink across the top of the design. Next drag the squeegee down over the design.

Clean up screen with soap and water. Screen can be used over and over.

TaDah!  How cool is that!

Allow printed design to cure for 24 hours. Heat set with a household iron, no steam on cotton setting using a pressing cloth or parchment paper for 30 seconds.

You might enjoy these other  arts & crafts ideas!


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Comments

  1. How sturdy are the screens? Are they reusable? I am wondering if I could make a lot of shirts with one screen!

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