Screen Printing with Tara Reid

May 2017 – Reflection

How has this informed my Studio Practice?

The prints that I created during this workshop, I went on to use again in the Specialist Study (ARF 505) module, where I created digital overlays of  text above the prints that I had already created, with, some degree of success.

This session has also inspired me to apply for the Print Making Scholarship at the Regional Print Centre in Wrexham, detailed in the Practice in Context (ARF 502) Print module.

December 2016

I compiled all my prints together into a sketchbook, some images are shown below.

November 2016

I attended a Screen Printing Workshop with Tara Reid at the Carriageworks in Denbigh on 27th November 2016, below is a review of my experience.

Screen Printing Materials

When we first arrived, Tara described the materials you would need for screen printing.

• Screens: Plenty to have to wash and dry. The Screens have different thicknesses of mesh, so need to be sure mesh size is appropriate for the prints required.
• Squeegees: These can be Neoprene, Rubber or Polyurethane and some are harder than others. Differing in length, it is important to have a squeegee that is wider than the print required.
  http://printersedge.com/squeegee-selection-and-maintenance/info_4.html
• Screen Printing Bed: A home-made printing bed can be made from MDF using Screen Printing Clamps which can be bought on Ebay.
• Cardboard: to create padding on the Printing Bed.
• Printing Clamps: To hold the screens in place while printing.
• Cellophane: To register Image for printing.
• Printing Ink/Medium: We used Printing Acrylic Ink and Printing Medium to create greater transparency in the printing.

 

Loading Ink onto the Screen

Registration

We registered our first image by adding the pattern onto a piece of cellophane using pieces of paper (creating a paper stencil), laid over the printing bed.

We then held the screen at a 45-degree angle to add printing ink to the screen. We dragged the squeegee along the screen gently until the entire area was covered and a shiny surface achieved.

Placing the screen down onto the Printing Bed we then dragged the squeegee firmly across the printing area to register the image onto the screen.

The use of cellophane also meant that there was an impression of the image on the cellophane that we could use to place the paper ready for printing our images.

First Print

After registering our image on the screen we were ready for our first print. I gained a second print by rubbing a second piece of paper over the newly created print. I then used the paper from the registered stencil to create an inverted print.

 

In no time at all, we had created prints with a pale background and then overlayed a print over the top of the first. A surprisingly quick and easy process.

 

In our second attempt, I created a circular stencil with squares missing in an attempt to create an inverted fence image.

 

I then experimented with more layering, use ripped paper and adjusting the registration.

I also printing some images onto handmade paper.

Conclusion

A successful day that cleared up the confusion that I had about screen printing and the level of difficulty, having been lead to believe it was an extremely difficult process in the past. Definitely, a process I would like to become more experienced at. This workshop has inspired me to set up my own printing bed at home and purchase screens and all the materials required to enhance my practice using this method.

I am very keen to learn the Photo Emulsion Screen Printing process and I am planning to visit Glyndwr main site to possibly work in their printing studio there.

Other Links on Screen Printing

• Photo Emulsion Process: http://www.instructables.com/id/Photo-emulsion-Screen-Printing/