For a do-it-yourselfer... not bad. Not bad at all. Just one thing: Before you coat your screen with emulsion, make certain that you degrease the screen first. A little dish-washing detergent and a small scrub brush should do the trick. Do both sides, and rinse thoroughly. When it's dry, coat it. Fabrics (for your screen), when new, often come out of the factory with an subtly-oily residue. Just like washing new clothes when you first bring them home from the store, you need to degrease your screen fabric. This step in the process ensures a good bond of emulsion to fabric. Trust me. You'll be glad you did. Nice job, Steve.
Dude I watched this video 3 years ago and you got me hooked. I now own a 30x30 shop and print full time for myself. Thank you. You covered a lot of basic things that take years to realize.
Hey, wow, that's awesome! I originally recorded this just to show a friend how I do it, so I had no idea it would get a million views. Thanks for the message and congrats on the full time shop!
Thanks! I tried to show everything you need to know to get started without spending lots of money, and didn't really worry about how long the video was. Glad to know it's helping lots of people get into screenprinting.
Great video! I ended up using a 200 watt bulb and found after 3 attempts that 18 minutes was the time to burn the image. Just wanted to pass that along to help anyone else out. Thnx again for a great video!
Great tutorial! I've seen a lot of screen printing tutorials that say "DIY" and then go on to show all professional equipment being used, so it's nice to see how to actually do it from your home with simple tools. Thanks Steve!
Steve-I'm not an experienced screenprinter, and I don't screenprint often. Your tutorial is so clear and comprehensive, all I need to do is revisit your lesson occasionally and my prints comes out really well every time- thank you!!!
Thank you John. Your explanation is very simple and easy to understand. I wanted to follow a short course on this subject.But your demonstration helped me save my course fee of $ 60. Keep up with your good work. God bless you! Professor Lal Fernando
Man, thank you for such a clear and personable demonstration! I can't tell you how many people kept me in the dark about silk screening until I stumbled across your video.
Christian Dines Thank you Christian. I really wanted to show my low budget process from start to finish. All the videos I watched at the time left out bits and pieces, or used expensive supplies.
Thing I hate about the algorithms on RU-vid, is they only feed your search the “most watched” videos. And not the most effective videos. This was the most clear and effective how-to screen print video I’ve seen. Thanks!
Thanks so much for this walkthrough! My band was looking to have shirts made and, as you could imagine, we don't have much of a budget to get it done professionally. The money we saved printing the shirts ourselves translated into 100 duplications of our CD, so it went a LONG way.
Great tutorial, you gave the most informative one that I have seen. I don't have to guess as to why there are so many steps because you explained everything!
I’ve spent many nights/days researching “how to’s” on screen printing .. this was the most comprehensive and complete tutorial I’ve seen. Even have confidence to make my own screens. This will be my go-to video for referencing. Will subscribe as a thank you!
+Jose Roman Thank you Jose! It really doesn't take much to get started to see if you like screenprinting. You can decide if you want to invest in pro equipment and supplies later.
I love the detailed explanation of everything, your own trial and errors and overall craftsmanship. Great video, gave me a really good idea of what I would be getting into!
Steve i genuinely felt loved through watching this video. I appreciate the fact that you care that we understand each step. praying blessings over you and your family bro!
I’ve been trying to wrap my head around how I can try my hand at DIY screen printing on a budget. For a newbie like myself this tutorial is INVALUABLE!!! Thank you so very much Steve!!!
This is by far the best video and expiation I've seen so far.... Thank you so much... You explained it very clearly unlike the other videos I've see...
Out of all the many DIY screen print videos, yours is absolutely easy to understand and I actually can follow along and do it! Thank you for being patient in your demonstration.
I have never really understood screen printing. I just knew somehow you can make your own designs and put that on a shirt. This year I have the desire to do that, so I began researching youtube howto's. I watched six other videos before I came to yours, and I want to say that your video really explained the " why " to everything which really helped me understand the process. I also like how you are moving slower so we can watch your movements. Sheer curtain fabric? Never would have thought! Thanks for your amazing video; I'll let you know how mine turn out!
+Diana Ishihara (Di-Chan) Thank you for watching and commenting Diana. I learned how to do this in the 7th grade and never thought it would come in handy later. The magic is in the emulsion process. It takes some trial and error and there is an art to it, so allow yourself to mess up a few while you are figuring it out. Would love to see a picture of your shirts.
Thank you Steve for this video. Best explanation I get on internet. Clear, every step nicely described. You are amassing teacher, and you are inspiring people all over the Globe. Best regards from Serbia
Thanks so much. You're REALLY good at explaining all the necessary steps beforehand (like leaving enough room between your design and the edges of your screen for the ink). As a retired carpenter, I can appreciate that :)
Very informative video, I had a silc screen clourse in the graphic design school, but I thinkyour video is much more informative as far the printing techniques is concerened! thanks for sharing
What a kind and truly likable man you are. With genuine teaching skills to boot. If I do attempt to print up a shirt or two I'll dive in to it with confidence thanks to your tutorial. Believe me I watch a lot of tutorials and yours should be regarded as the gold standard. You should teach a college course.
Steve, after an evening of looking at tutorials on silk screen printing, it is clear that yours is by far the most comprehensive and well made. Thank you so much for your efforts. A quick question: is it possible to clean off the exposed emulsion, and re-use screens with new designs, or is it not worth the effort?
They do sell an emulsion remover, but I haven't tried it. I make a new screen every time and save all my previous ones. I think building the frame and stapling the material to it would be faster and less work anyway.
Thank you very much for this educational video, I am about to embark on this hobby and was afraid I would not follow instructions as they are written, but you just made it all very clear for me. BIG THUMBS UP ...
Going to start a t-shirt design business with my best friend, are parent were apprehensive about how expensive it was going to be. THANK YOU so much for the video makes it 100 times more easier for us.
Thank you so much! I'm going to be taking printmaking next semester, but I wanted to learn more about doing t-shirts now. This video was incredibly informative (I knew very little about the process ahead of time) and I had no idea I could do it so easily without fancy equipment! :D
Wow thanks Chris! I hope it helps. I had a lot of questions when I started, so I wanted to show that anybody can start printing quickly with very little cost.
After watching a few DIY screenprinting videos that were total crap, I was about to give up. Luckily I gave your video a try and it was great! I'm sorry but those guys with 3-5 minute videos can't fit enough content in to provide all the info needed for a noob like me to do this. I appreciate you giving this the time it needed!
Steve: this really is a superb instructional video. You seem to have a knack for this and if you don't teach for a living, you should be doing so. This is the clearest presentation of the process from start to finish I have ever seen, leaving no question unanswered. It removes the intimidation factor. I have been interested in learning this for years and your vid was the motivation and inspiration I needed. Just finished constructing my first two screens and am ready to apply the emulsion.
This is the first video I ever watched on screen printing. I followed the instructions exactly and you really helped me out. Not only did I save money on my small business shirts by doing them myself but I have made money because I kept practicing. Now I have been printing for a couple years and it has been Awesome! Thanks for the Great Video.
Augustana Jarvis not sure if this question was for me but I just cleaned the ink off and reused it whenever I needed more shirts. I never had to burn another screen for this logo back then. Now I buy my screens in Los Angeles for about 12 bucks each so I don’t make them anymore.
Augustana Jarvis oh yes for sure, I have done lots of research and still learning but if there is anything I can help you that you don’t know please let me know. Its been years for me and I’ve made a very descent amount of money just working on the side. Let me know if I can help. Gilbert.ortiz@yahoo.com
This is hands down the best screen printing tutorial I have seen so far, thank you for actually explaining how the screen and emulsion work. Also thank you for showing us how to do it with common house hold items rather than just showing us how to use an already prepared kit, very very good!!! :D
Dida M'Raiagh Wow, thank you! I appreciate the nice comments. You can get pretty good results with not a lot of money invested, then if you like it, you can invest in more pro supplies and equipment.
Hi James! Thanks for the nice message. That's good to hear! I still make my own shirts but use a Cricut vinyl cutter with heat transfer vinyl since it's quicker just for one or two shirts. Glad you are enjoying screen printing!
Thank you! I watched some other videos before this and they were no good. Instead of trying to sell people things you have made a very informative video that is not confusing. Keep up the good work!
I've seen so many videos that leave out details and I learned nothing from them but this is the most informative and detailed I've seen. You did GREAT and I need to save this so I can start doing my own. You are awesome and thank you again.
Steve Carmichael that was so fast. Your awesome. I'm a precast manufacturer in the San Francisco bay area. I make all my own molds and products since 2001 and started to think about a RU-vid channel 6 months ago because I make so many other things. Take a moment and checkout my website. jks-precast.com I would really appreciate your comments as you have such in site with details on your videos. Thank you so much again. Your friend Ken
As others have said, your video is the best tutorial ever! I especially appreciated the way you mount the screen to the frame, looks very durable and you could almost use it as a piece of art.
I've watched this video so many times! It's helped me tremendously! I'd just like to note that if you don't have the tools to make your own screen an inexpensive alternative is to buy the packs of artist canvases from an art supply store like Michael's, remove the canvas from the frame and replace it with the screen material. Also Speedball now offers an ink that doesn't need heat to set but you get a lot less and its not very cheap.
Thanks! The canvas frames are a great idea. Also look for old solid picture frames at thrift stores. I didn't know about the new ink, will have to look into that. thanks!
Awesome! Thanks for the kind words. Your message made my day! I do train people sometimes with my day job in the IT field. Glad to hear you are trying it. Applying the emulsion can be messy, but just try not to use too much...it really only needs a thin coat. Allow yourself to goof up a couple at first.
You are the best steve! Thank you for putting up such a detailed video on screen printing, this howed me how I can get started with not a lot of money yet still get beautiful clean prints thank you !
Steve - I have been watching and reading everything about screen printing on fabric that I can. I think yours will be the last video I watch. You were able to convey in a very simple fashion a TON of information. Having watched all the other videos etc etc I can truly appreciate that EVERYTHING you said had real purpose behind it. All the other videos had bits and pieces - but you got it all! As others have said, I really appreciate your grass roots/budget/practical approach. Two questions: I have read that sizing in shirts can resist the ink setting process - do you pre-wash shirts that you intend to sell/give away before printing them? Secondly - why do you put the screen over the tool box and not just put the screen squeegee side up on a black piece of paper with the transparency positive and glass on top? Thanks so much - you have given me the confidence to actually start the hands on process!
Hi Christine - Thank you for the nice message! I've never pre-washed shirts and have not had a problem. The speedball ink feels hard and rough before it's washed, then after it's washed it feels soft and like part of the shirt. It does wear over time with lots of washings, but I like the worn shirt look. Having something black against the bottom side of the screen just blocks the light from getting to the bottom of the screen, which would harden all of the emulsion across the whole screen from the bottom, which would ruin it. Try it and allow yourself to mess up a few times...it takes some trial and error. Let me know if you have any more questions. Have fun!
I'm in a silk screen class at the college, and was looking for a way to do small scale projects at home. I obviously don't have the equipment at home that I have access to at school. This is a great video, thumbs up man!
Thank you for going into detail about the process, at first i was somewhat nervous about screenprinting because it seemed complicated but really confident. Thanks so much
Thank you Miguel! Don't be nervous, just be patient. Allow yourself to screw up a few times at first. It's really neat once you work out the kinks and start printing shirts. I suggest starting with black ink only. Also a good trick for your first design is to make it rustic looking with defects in it on purpose, kind of like the Cheap Trick logo shirt, so that when you print it any misprints just look like they are part of the design.
Thanks a lot for the video, man I've been stuck for days now. So far the only video which covered all the basics and the important stuff. Cheers! Good luck with your business, and hope to see more videos from you.
Steve, gotta tell you this is the easiest workshop instruction video I have seen on this process. I've always been a bit wary of trying this, but I think after seeing this, I would like to try it! Thank you so very much.
Mel Davenport Thank you Mel! It's fun and not too expensive to get started. I have a cap printing video too and a list of supplies and tips here - www.thecarmichaelworkshop.com/2014/09/screen-printing-hats-and-caps.html
Steve-This is the best screen printing tutorial I have seen yet! Thank you kindly for sharing the knowledge that has taken you many years to perfect with the world. Much appreciated and can't wait to get started!
Thanks April! Have fun with it and allow yourself a few times to screw it up at first. lol It takes some trial and error until you get the right combination of variables down.
This has got to be one of the best instructional RU-vid videos I've ever seen. Clear verbal instruction, unobstructed view of process while being demonstrated and all steps covered in order. Every question that popped into my head as I watched you answered. You also have a very good on camera personality and make this an approachable process for anyone to do. I cannot wait to get to Michael's (with my coupon- great tip BTW!), get my materials and start printing some shirt's!
+Nativtexan2 Glad you liked the video. It is a lot of fun, but takes some practice and trial and error, so allow yourself to screw up some at first. I highly recommend the EX1 emulsion as you get so much more for the money, which allows for screw ups.
Great video. I'm a beginner and I've learned a lot from this video. I'll probably end up watching it 2 or 3 more times. There's so much to try and remember.
Awesome! Glad you like it. It took me about 3 tries to get a good screen I could use. Just have to allow yourself to screw up a few times while you work out the variables.
Well done, After watching this I now know how easy it can be on a budget. Also I checked your recent videos and saw that folding table. That's just the thing I need for my tight garage! You sir have earned a new subscriber.
Excellent job Sir! Although, I have screen printed once in my life (about 30 years ago using a screen I had a company make, and it was on metal), I needed a refresher. Your video was perfect. Thank You!
Steve Carmichael I worked at a silkscreen shop at one time but I mostly created the designs . the transparencies and did the camera work. We used a light table to burn the screens in. I have a light table but I'm not sure if its bright enough. I can't waite to get started. Thank you for peeking my interest again.
thanks for the vid. to see it can be done and done well without all the bells and whistles. went and bought the material from hobby lobby. will be printing before the week is out. thanks again.
Steve, you have made Calculus as easy to understand as the multiplication table for me. Thanks a lot sir. I don't know why screen printing has been so intimidating before now.
Mahalo! I’m on a screen printing bender of watching how to videos! Lol Learning a lot...worked for a screenprinting company a hundred years ago but was one of the artists so never learned the printing part. I really am looking forward to trying this. Much aloha from Maui and mahalo for the video and tips. 🤗🌈🌺🙌❣️
