This summer, teens learned about the process of screen printing and practiced making prints on paper before making t-shirts. Using a mesh screen makes it possible to produce a clean, professional looking image. Screen printing works on paper, clothing, wood and even metal.
One important (and very cool) factor that makes screen printing accessible is the use of an Ultraviolet Sensitive Mixture. Here’s how it works:
The mixture (often green in color) soaks through the silk screen and hardens when it’s exposed to UV light. Placing a stencil on top of the screen blocks out the light and leaves an area soft so that ink can pass 
freely through the screen. Rinsing out the screen after exposure is important so that the mixture is no longer affected by the light.
Be careful though, washing too hard or too hot can cause unwanted “holes” in the screen. Simply tape them up so that ink does not pass through onto your print surface. Then all you need is some tape, printing ink, a squeegee and a blank surface to make a fresh print!
Screens can be reused and re-exposed several times. You can create an image with card-stock or find one you like online (we used BuyTshirtDesigns.net) and print it on a clear transparency.
We will be hosting another screen printing activity this fall, so keep an eye out for it in our calendar at lclsonline.org/teens or contact Andrew Asquith at aasquith@lclsonline.org for more information.
And to learn more about screen printing, check out Simple screenprinting : basic techniques & creative projects
Location: 764.8 STR
Or check out the screen printing episode of “I Like To Make Stuff” at:
https://youtu.be/MDDE8VvViFo