what is the best fabric to use when making your own screen print?

Question

and ink

Answer 1

Silk is the fabric used on the screen. The ink that is used id silk screen ink. You can get the ink at www.dickblick.com. They also sell inexpensive starter kits that you might want to start with, until you get the hang of it. You can also get very inexpensive instruction books at www.doverpublications.com.

Answer 2

Fabric for the screen, or for printing on?

There is a special kind of screen that is sold in art supply and craft stores that is tough enough to be repeatedly squeegeed and doesn't absorb the ink.

If you are printing onto fabric, you can use anything, but the longest lasting is going to be something that doesn't have a lot of stretch to it.

Make sure you are using an ink that will dry waterproof! Acrylic-based inks can be easier to deal with because they can be washed with water until they dry, but oil-based inks will last longer.

Answer 3

Silk used to be used, but nowadays it's generally a polyester mesh. That's sold in at least two mesh sizes (at screen printing suppliers, or probably at art supply stores too), with a larger and smaller "hole" opening size. Which one you want would depend on the detail you want in the final print.

Organza and other similar synthetic meshes from the fabric store can be used too, but the larger the screen, the more important it might be to use the right stuff.


HTH,

Diane B.

Answer 4

I've heard that you can use sheer curtain fabric and an inexpensive alternate, even use an embroidery hoop as the frame.

check out www.craftster.org

www.designchic.etsy.com

Answer 5

Usually a cotton/polyester blend. Remember, cotton shrinks, so it is best not to use 100% cotton. If you prewash it first, it may make it stay on better.