Does anybody know how to screenprint tshirts at home? Or tie die?

Question

I really love doing special things for the family (last year I had Ferrari supporter jackets made), I want to do something myself this year... please help

I used to work for a sign and screenprint company so I will stick to one colour prints... I know about the difficulties of lining up for more than one colour lol

Micheal.. are you telling me to make a possi and let the proffesionals handle it? (My ex boss was called MIKE (Micheal) too!!!)

Answer 1

I used to do some tie dye years ago and it can be fun (and a little messy) but it's a good project to do.

I found a good site that gives instructions at http://www.stanford.edu/~sipma/tiedyeinstructions.html

There's also a site with screenprinting instructions at
http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/1179371-AA.shtml

I hope this helps! Take care :)

Answer 2

Go to Michael's or any other local art supply store for Speed ball screen printing supplies read up on the net, if it's a one off sort of thing you may want to just do the art and get a shop to run them for you, talk nice and the owner may let you watch/help... it's not a difficult process but the cost would be about the same, maybe cheaper to not DIY this time. If your daring and flush with money for the start up materials you have to make the artwork very black on a clear carrier positive image (black where you want the color deposited) a streched fabric screen (like a window screen except finer 50 to 150 mesh) not silk polyester is great very taught (tighter than Dick's hatband) a good squeegee the proper ink (water based is popular now) and the photo emulsion (which is basically Elmer's glue with Ammonium Bichromate added and a blue dye) coat the screen in the dark under a red safe light like for B&W photos let it dry then expose the positive by placing the screen on a piece of foam rubber inside the frame to hold it firm, then the positive image face down on that, then a piece of glass / plastic to hold everything flat... expose it to the sun for 4-5 minutes (read directions) and then wash the unexposed portion of the stencil out under running water... this is the hard part, not too much not too little.. let it dry put it against a window to find pin holes and touch them over with a little emulsion then cover the back and inside surface with masking tape to prevent leaks put your fabric down on the table with a sheet of masonite behind the first surface of the shirt, pull the squeegee over the screen to flood the surface with ink lower the screen and scrape the ink over the printing area, raise the screen and poof! your Andy Warhol! Good luck on your project, READ UP FIRST!!! then do the simple stuff first work your way up.

Answer 3

that was a great website above.
but just to warn you, screenprinting is a little tough at home unless you have all the tools and set the screen just right. stenciling might be a little easier for an at home project.