Embroidery Hoop Screen Printing--Easy 4th of July Projects

This is an easy, fast and fun way to make multiple prints for any occasion and it's just in time to make 4th of July T-shirts... or napkins... for a parade or a party.

Step 1: Materials:

12" Wood embroidery hoop (plastic will slip)
Sheer woven fabric – organza, voile, or an old sheer curtain panel from the thrift store

A (star) design- printed or drawn on paper

Pencil

Scissors

Acrylic paint

Paint brushes

Screen printing ink made for fabric (Speedball)

Expired gift card (any plastic card)

Plastic spoon

Paper plate

Heavy paper or cardboard

Washed T-shirt (or bag) and iron your shirt first- I forgot!

Step 2:

Secure the fabric between the embroidery hoops so there are no wrinkles or gaps and the fabric is taut.

Trim the edges.

Place the paper star design under the flat side of the fabric screen.

Trace over the design with a pencil onto the fabric.

Flip the screen over and apply acrylic paint to the fabric in the “negative” areas --the areas that will not be printed.

Allow the paint to dry. Hold the screen up to the light and look for light pin holes.

Apply paint to the other sided of the hoop (especially in the areas where there are light pinholes).

Allow the paint to dry.

Inspect the screen one more time and if it’s good, make a test print on scrap fabric or paper.

Step 3: Print! Then Print Again and Again!

Place the hoop flat-side down on top of a piece of test fabric or paper.

Use a plastic spoon to spread the printing ink across the top of the screen above the image.

Use a plastic card to squeegee the ink over the area-- top to bottom then scrape off the excess.

Carefully lift the screen up, and look at the print.

If any spots need to be filled, clean the screen – dry it with a paper towel and fill the holes in with paint; if it’s just one or 2 dots, cover them with masking tape on the bottom side.

When it’s time to print for real, place a piece of cardboard under the items being printed (or inside, if it’s a shirt or bag), to keep the ink from bleeding through.