HOW TO: The Screen Printing Process

ONE: At the top of the stack, we see the Film. It is clear with the exception of the image to be printed, which is opaque (black).

TWO: Next, a photo-sensitive material called 'photo mask' or 'photo stencil' is exposed to strong light. The light exposed areas (that are not covered by the image) of this material become hardened. The areas which are covered by the opaque image stay soft - eventually washing away. This is where the ink(s) will pass through.

THREE: This 'photo stencil' is embedded into fabric stretched very tightly across a printing frame. After the stencil dries, the 'screen frame' is pressed against the item you want screen printed (in this case a t-shirt) and ink poured onto the surface of the screen is dragged across the design with a squeegee. The ink is deposited on the item.

And that's how screen printing works!

WARNING! EXCESSIVELY DELICIOUS!

Chocolate Brownies! Makes 20.



-175 g butter
-2 teaspoons vanilla essence
-250 g cooking chocolate
-3 eggs, beaten
-1 ½ cups standard plain flour
-chocolate icing/icing sugar (optional)
-1 cup sugar 1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)




Method:

1. In a medium-sized saucepan, melt butter and chocolate over a low heat. Remove saucepan from the heat and add flour, sugar, vanilla essence, and eggs. Stir until well combined.

2. Pour mixture into a greased and lined tin. Bake at 180°C for 30 mins. Leave in tin for 10 mins before turning out onto a wire rack.

3. When cold, ice with chocolate icing or icing sugar with chopped walnuts. Cut into squares.

Screen Prints to Inspire

BELOW: Rushmore Cushion by Mibo.

ABOVE: XOXO Juniors' Foil Screen Print Top by Chic Apparel

ABOVE LEFT: Screen Prints by Lorna Etsy, fabric & paper.

ABOVE RIGHT: Folklore and nature inspired screen prints by Sanna Annukka.