Usually, if I want a design on a t-shirt I will paint it, however there came a time when I found myself in a position of having volunteered to make 30 or so t-shirts with the same design and could not be bothered to paint them all freehand so I researched screen printing and have put this method together with what things I had to hand/were cheap
The only thing I had to buy for this was some black fabric paint (I had other colours but I wanted black!) and a sponge.
So, here goes...
The only thing I had to buy for this was some black fabric paint (I had other colours but I wanted black!) and a sponge.
So, here goes...
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Signing UpStep 1: Gather your ingredients
You will need:
Something for the screen
This needs to be a thin mesh. I used tights because that's what I had in the house.
Something to hold your screen
I used an embroidery hoop but you can use a wooden frame and staples
A design
Unless you're very good with a paint brush and thick paint, go for something simple!
Something to block the design with
You can use Mod Podge or PVA or special stuff but I used acrylic so I could see where it was
Paintbrushes
Mine were ones I bought in the pound shop
Fabric Paint
In the colour of your choice. You could probably use other paint but it might clog your screen up.
A sponge
It doesn't need to be duck shaped like mine, that's just what Wilkinson had...
Something for the screen
This needs to be a thin mesh. I used tights because that's what I had in the house.
Something to hold your screen
I used an embroidery hoop but you can use a wooden frame and staples
A design
Unless you're very good with a paint brush and thick paint, go for something simple!
Something to block the design with
You can use Mod Podge or PVA or special stuff but I used acrylic so I could see where it was
Paintbrushes
Mine were ones I bought in the pound shop
Fabric Paint
In the colour of your choice. You could probably use other paint but it might clog your screen up.
A sponge
It doesn't need to be duck shaped like mine, that's just what Wilkinson had...
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JK :)
I would say, after having done something similar myself, pretty much any novelty-shaped sponge would work. For some reason, normal-shaped ones just look at me blankly, their invisible, judging eyes imploring me to take them back and trade them in for something more fun...
(Great tute, btw :) )
I will definetly give this one a try!
As far as the actual screen goes, it seems to have worked pretty well so far, though I wonder if the first painting step could be skipped and the design traced onto the mesh with sharpie or something? The first level of paint didn't seem to do much for my mesh, and it worked better when I just picked it up and painted on it, rather than painting with it on the newspaper.
I haven't tried it that way, so it may not work, but just an idea?
Painting straight on to the mesh without the paper behind does leave a better layer and so save time but I had problems tracing the design on to the screen as it stretched and buckled too much and didn't leave an outline that I could see well enough, also a felt tip bleeds too much through the mesh. A sharpie might work but I didn't have any to hand!
Thanks for posting!
This is a truly good idea.. coz even my Bike Group Has T-Shirts, and getting it done from the professionals cost a Bomb. This will definitely give a personal touch and the rough and distressed look will go with the touring image we have. Thanks a Ton for this Instructable..
So simple, so BRILLIANT! I already have everything I need.
Love it :)
I've got the acrylic paint and my GF has a big embroidery hoop, so...
Thanks for the lovely, clear pics and instructions! :)
KITTENS ON EVERYTHING