"Screen printing is making the same thing exactly, hundreds of times. That reliability is the skill.
"KaiRenner26th of April 2026
How Screen Printing Works
Screen printing uses a mesh screen coated with photo-sensitive emulsion. A design printed on transparency film is placed against the coated screen and exposed to UV light. The light hardens the emulsion everywhere except under the opaque design areas. When washed, the unexposed areas wash away, leaving open mesh in the design shape. Ink is pushed through the open areas with a squeegee onto the substrate below.
110to 160 Mesh
45Second Exposure
Coat the Screen with Emulsion
Apply photo emulsion evenly in a dark room and let dry before exposing.
Coat the Screen with Emulsion
In a darkened room, pour a bead of Speedball or Diazo photo emulsion along the bottom edge of the screen. Use an emulsion scoop coater or a squeegee to pull the emulsion up the screen in one smooth pass. Apply to both sides. Let dry horizontally in complete darkness — 30 to 60 minutes at room temperature, or 15 minutes in front of a small fan.
Prepare and Expose Your Design
Print design on transparency, tape to screen, and expose to UV light.
Prepare and Expose Your Design
Print your design as opaque black on a transparency film. Tape it to the coated emulsion side of the dry screen. Expose to UV light — a UV lamp at 30 to 45 seconds, or direct sunlight for 1 to 2 minutes. Exposure time varies by emulsion and light source — test on a strip first. Over-exposure makes washout difficult; under-exposure causes emulsion to wash away in non-design areas.
Wash Out the Screen
Rinse with water — the unexposed emulsion washes away cleanly.
Wash Out the Screen
Immediately after exposure, take the screen to a sink or shower. Rinse both sides with room-temperature water. The unexposed emulsion (under the opaque design) will soften and wash away, revealing the open mesh in the design shape. Use a shower head or garden hose — gentle pressure, not high pressure. Hold the screen up to light to check that all open areas are clear.
Print with a Squeegee
Tape substrate, place screen, deposit ink, and pull with one firm stroke.
Print with a Squeegee
Tape your shirt, paper, or fabric flat on a printing surface. Place the screen over it and deposit a line of ink above the design. Hold the screen with one hand and pull the squeegee firmly across the design in one smooth stroke, pressing the ink through the mesh. Lift the screen straight up. For fabric, cure the ink with a heat gun or iron per the ink manufacturer's instructions.
Basic Screen Printing Setup
Screen (aluminum frame, 110 to 160 mesh)
Diazo or direct emulsion (Speedball brand is beginner-friendly)
Emulsion scoop coater or squeegee for coating
UV lamp or access to direct sunlight
Transparency film and inkjet printer
Water-based screen printing ink
Squeegee — same width as your design
Emulsion Shelf Life Is Temperature-Sensitive Mixed Diazo emulsion keeps 6 to 8 weeks refrigerated. At room temperature it degrades in 1 to 2 weeks. Store mixed emulsion in a light-tight container in the refrigerator. Allow to reach room temperature before coating — cold emulsion is viscous and coats unevenly.
"The first screen you expose will not print perfectly. The tenth one will.
"KaiRenner26th of April 2026