Valentine's Day CraftsLast Sunday, I spent the day at Steffi's screen printing studio in the Old American Can Factory in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Steffi works as a crafts designer here at Martha and runs a small company called Winter Water Factory. Â Steffi prints fabrics and t-shirts for her collection at her studio. On top of having tons of fun, I learned a lot about the screen printing process. I printed some t-shirts and tote bags for take-me-with-you, a side project I've been working on for fun. Come on in and take a look...
The printing table is made out of two doors that Steffi covered with foam and stretched canvas.
We printed my artwork on an ink-jet transparency. We placed it under the screen and exposed it in the darkroom. (There's a big vacuum table that holds everything in place while it's exposed to a strong light on a timer.)
Next, I washed out the screen at the wash-out sink. The emulsion washes out wherever the light was blocked– it was neat to see my artwork slowly appear on the screen.
All different size squeegees...
I measured and mixed inks to make the colors I wanted.
I placed the screen onto the fabric and pulled the ink across with a squeegee. This pushes the ink through the screen onto the fabric.
There's something really gratifying about printing your own artwork. The fact that you can print multiples so easily makes the possibilities seem endless. The studio is amazing! I was so lucky to have spent the day there. Now that I know the basics, maybe next time Steffi will show me how to print pattern repeats. They are actually looking for a couple of studio-mates or a company to share the studio. If you know anyone who is looking for a space in Brooklyn have them contact Steffi.
From: camille petrocelli | 6/9/09 at 11:21 am
I may have to move to Brooklyn! What a great place to hang out and make things. All that fabric...
We did some screen printing about 100 years ago in high school with my very creative art teacher and I feel in love with the process. Makes me want to do it again. Thanks for writing and sharing your experience with all of us...Now I have to look for a place here in sunny south Florida that does this craft.
From: Jessica Poundstone | 6/9/09 at 1:47 pm
That is silkscreening heaven!
{By the way, the Take Me With You Project is fantastic, and Winter Water Factory goods are awesome!}
From: Kim McMillan | 6/9/09 at 2:26 pm
Yes, when I grow up I'm moving to Brooklyn too!
From: RUNNING WITH SCISSORS STUDIO | 6/9/09 at 6:59 pm
Looks like a great studio!
From: patricia | 6/9/09 at 9:00 pm
What an awesome opportunity! Screen printing is something that I've always wanted to try.
From: Rowaida Flayhan | 6/10/09 at 8:05 am
Interesting post. My daughter was taking Textile and Design class in school, for her final project she screen printed her different facial reactions on different fabric swatches and sewed them together to form a tent cover, later assembled on a frame. She is going to study in London Graphic Design Communication Art.
From: fabric printing | 6/10/09 at 10:13 pm
Interesting post. My daughter was taking Textile and Design class in school, for her final project she screen printed her different facial reactions on different fabric swatches and sewed them together to form a tent cover, later assembled on a frame. She is going to study in London Graphic Design Communication Art.