Design Preparation for Embroidery Hoop Screen Print

If one is new to screen printing, it is important to recognize that a design must be created in reverse and is, therefore, somewhat counter intuitive. Thus, the instructions that follow are based on a very simple design that looks the same, even if it is reversed. If lettering is to be screen, letters must be written in reverse; otherwise, the image will be like trying to read words in a mirror.

The simple design chosen was the outline of a dress form.

MATERIALS:
Embroidery hooped screen (see instructions in blog entry dated 5/26/2010)Paper
Heavy leaded pencil
Duct tape
Scissors

1) Sketch a design with pencil on paper.

2) Place the embroidery hoop screen on top of the sketch with the screening material touching the sketch.

3) Trace the sketch onto the screening material with dark pencil. In this example a stand shape has been added to the design after the original sketch was traced. This was drawn freehand and directly onto the screen. In the next view arrows have been drawn to add visual interest to this very simple design.

4) Cut 4" to 5" strips of duct tape. Press the strips around the entire edge of the screen and up the sides of the wooden hoop. This process creates a barrier between the hoop frame and the area that will be masked and silk screened with ink or paint. If not tape is affixed, wayward mask and/or ink may become caught between the screen and the fabric and this can compromise future screens with cross color contamination.

4) After the edges of the screen and the inside of the hoop have duct tape securely finger pressed in place, use scissors to cut away the excess duct tape that extends above the rim of the hoop. Note: Use all purpose scissors to cut the tape. Do not use good, fabric scissors.

5) Turn the hooped frame over. Once again, cut 4" to 5" strips of duct tape and affix them around the entire edge of the screen and the edge of hoop.

6) There is no need to carry the tape up this wooden side of the hoop. After the duct tape has been securely finger pressed to the screen and wooden edge of the hoop, use craft scissors to trim away excess duct tape.

7) After the excess tape has been cut away, the hoop will look like this on the reverse side:
8) Turn the hooped screen over.

9) Use fabric scissors to cut away the excess screening fabric. This may remain uncut; however, the excess material tends to become unwieldy when masking out the image.

10) . The top of the screen frame will look like this:

11) The reverse of the screen will look like this:
The embroidery hooped screen is now ready for masking. More fun lies ahead. Check back tomorrow for an update and instructions on how to mask a silk screen with ordinary exterior latex house paint.

Quilts on the Wall

How to Make Screen Printing Frames with Embroidery Hoops

It's a morning to play. While making some simple embroidery hoop "silk screen frames", I took pictures along the way for those who may never have tried this technique. Embroidery hoops of various sizes may be obtained reasonably at craft and yardage stores; however, they are often abundant at thrift stores and yard sales and the prices in these venues cannot be beat. All of the hoops used for the frames in the pictures were discovered in thrift stores. Even the one that shows a $2 price tag only cost 50 cents at the thrift store. Bonus!! At this price, cost does not need to figure into the joy of experimentation and discovery of a new form of art expression.

Materials:Wooden embroidery hoops of any size
Sheer window curtain
Pliers
Scissors

1) Lay sheer window curtain material over the smaller, inside hoop of a two-part embroidery hoop and then place the larger hoop over this and push down to secure the sheer material inside the hoop.
2) Locate the tightening screw on the embroidery hoop.

3) Tighten the screw.

4) Turn the hoop over and pull the screen fabric from the back side of the hoop to make screen side tight. Go around the entire circle, pulling as you move the hoop.

5) Continue tightening the screw



6) If you happen to have several embroidery hoops, you may use this time to make more than one screen. Various sizes of hoops determine the size of the screen printing images that can be made, but these can be very handy for smaller designs.


This hoop was a very inexpensive one that was originally sold for $200 but was purchased at a local thrift store for 50 cents.


7) Repeat the process from #1. (Lay sheer window curtain material over the small, inside hoop of a two-part embroidery hoop and then place the larger hoop over this and push down to secure the sheer material inside the hoop.)


8) The less expensive hoops have a small tightening knob that may initially be tightened between the thumb and forefinger, but effective, full tightening needs to be done with the aid of pliers.

9) Repeat the process from #4 and #8 (pull from reverse to make fabric tight in the hoop and continuously tighten as you pull fabric taut).

10) Cut the assembled hoops away from the main panel of sheer curtain fabric.


11) Lay the prepared hoops flat on the work surface.


12) Separate the assembled hoops. Leave a generous margin around the hoops. This will allow enough fabric to make tugging and retightening easier, should the fabric become slack in the hoop.

13) Even small hoops may be used.


14) Here are examples of various sized hoops that have been prepared for screen printing.


15) ...AND oodles of curtain screen fabric remains. Ahhh, the potential is invigorating.

And always remember...