How to Screenprint a T-shirt Using a Vinyl Cutout

This tutorial will teach you how to print a design of your choosing onto a blank t-shirt! Screen Printing is a great way to create t-shirts and other fabrics with your very own designs on them! Included in this tutorial you will find a list of supplies needed, as well as step by step instructions to get you from start to finish!

Supplies

Materials:
Blank t-shirt
Silk screen
Speedball screen printing ink in desired color
Packing tape
8 by 12 sheet of vinyl
Transfer tape
Tools:
Computer with silhouette studio
Silhouette Cameo
Iron
Hairdryer
Small Squeegee
Large Squeegee
Dish soap

Step 1: Create Your Design

Create the design you would like to print in your preferred application and import it into silhouette studio. To learn how to create a design in silhouette studio, checkout the following link: https://bit.ly/SilhouetteStudioTutorial

To learn to create a design in inkscape, checkout the following link: https://inkscape.org/learn/tutorials/

Note: The part of your design that would typically be the sticker is the part of your design that will be printed onto the t-shirt

Step 2: Print Your Design Onto Vinyl

Export your design from silhouette studio and print it onto a sheet of vinyl. For instructions on how to print using a silhouette cameo, visit the following link: https://bit.ly/SilhouetteStudioTutorial Make sure to stop at step 12 and follow the instructions below for preparing your vinyl.

Step 3: Weed Your Vinyl

Remove the pieces of vinyl of your design that you would like to be printed onto your t-shirt.

Step 4: Squeegee Your Vinyl

Go over your vinyl with a small squeegee to remove any air bubbles.

Step 5: Remove Your Vinyl From It’s Backing

Cover your vinyl with transfer tape. If you need to use multiple lengths of tape to cover the width of your vinyl, overlap the transfer tape. Press down firmly on the vinyl through the transfer tape to ensure it is secure. Then, peel the transfer tape away from the vinyl backing at a 45 degree angle, slowly, ensuring that all parts of your design are on the transfer tape.

Note: For small elements, you may need to go back and apply additional pressure through the transfer tape before beginning to pull back slowly again.

Step 6: Apply Vinyl to Screen

Apply your vinyl to the screen. Press down on the vinyl through the transfer tape to make sure it attaches. Once you have finished pressing firmly, repeat step A but in reverse. Slowly pull back the transfer tape at a 45 degree angle, making sure that the vinyl sticks to the screen. All notes from Step 5 apply to Step 6.

Step 7: Tape Your Screen

Using packing tape, tape over the edges of your vinyl and the edges of the screen. As demonstrated below, you want to ensure the tape covers both the edge of the design, as well as at least halfway up the side of the screen. This tape ensures that paint will not get on other portions of the shirt.

Tip: Create a seal on the edges of the screen by using your finger to push into the corner as seen in the photo below.

Step 8: Iron Your Shirt

Iron the t-shirt that you would like to print on. If you do not know how to iron, there are instructions at the following link: https://bit.ly/HowToIron

Step 9: Prepare Your Screen for Printing

Place and center the screen on your t-shirt. Place a few spoonfuls of Speedball screen printing ink in the desired color across the top of the screen.

Step 10: Pull!!!

Using a squeegee, pull the paint down across your design in a singular motion.

Note: It is important to apply pressure consistently for the duration of the pull. Don’t press too hard or not enough.

Step 11: Remove Tape and Vinyl From Screen

Peel all tape and vinyl off your screen. Make sure to get even the small bits of vinyl.

Step 12: Cleaning Your Supplies

Wash screen and squeegee and place them to dry

Step 13: Set Your Print With a Hairdryer

Use a hairdryer to dry your print and set it in place. Keep the hair dryer approximately half an inch above your material, and ensure that all parts of your design get dried.