I prefer using a screen with my stencils because I can run several prints (as opposed to ironing-on freezer paper). It’s also been a helpful technique to know when working on my artwork because it allows for quick and temporary masking-off of simple shapes.
To use paper stencils with a screen:
First, cut a sheet of paper to the size of the screen. Trace design onto a durable, water-resistant paper such as freezer paper or contact paper. Cut the stencil out using a craft knife.
You can make a positive or a negative print depending on which stencil you use.
Making a positve print
To make a positive print, first prep the screen. Make sure to tape off the inside and outside edges so that no ink can seep through.
Then, position your paper stencil under the screen. Tape can be used to hold it in place, but the tape is not necessary and is temporary (ink will hold the paper in place).
Attach stencil to screen with ink. Place the stencil and screen on a scrap piece of newsprint to print on. This will attach the paper stencil to the screen and will be the first proof.
Pour ink onto a taped off area of the screen.
Hold the screen down firmly with one hand and squeegee ink across screen. First, flood the screen by pulling the ink one way and then bring the ink back the other way to making sure to get good coverage.
Lift up the screen to reveal the positive print! If there are problems with the positioning of the stencil. Pull it off and reposition. You may need to wipe excess ink off the bottom of the screen. Always run a test print before printing on a T-shirt or something valuable. This paper stencil is ready to printed onto a T-shirt. Several prints can be made using this method, depending on the care of handling and the durability of the paper used to make the stencil.
Make a negative print.
To make negative print, prep the screen again. This time, take care to make sure the taped areas are straight because they will form the square around the stencil.
Again, stick the paper stencil to the back of the screen (I just sprayed the paper stencil with a mist of water to hold it in place until I run the ink over the other side).
Run a test print. Ink seeped through the tape at the top and bottom of the screen. I can tape off the back of the screen before printing another test print.
Thats so cool! I’ve gotta tell my friends this because they’ve been talking about screen printing. Thanks for the post!
thats pretty clever! I would never had thought of doing it that way. Can’t wait to try it.
i came here via craft and just wanted to say thanks for the great tutorial. i love freezer paper stencils but always want them to last a bit longer, so this is a perfect solution!
What a great idea! This is an easier way to silkscreen. Thanks so much for sharing it!
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[...] found a great tutorial on screenprinting with paper stencils – I did this at college a few years ago when I screenprinted my Dennis the Menace window blind for [...]
thankyou for posting this great tutorial, i found it to be very helpful
[...] screenprinting with paper stencils on craft chi blog [...]
Have spent hours researching screen printing on web but am so grateful for the simplicity of this tutorial. I shall try to print different designs onto a sheet to make a eye catching banner.
hey thanks alot, gona try this, im on my final major project n making a book based on screenprinting, x
Hi, awesome tutorial. I had a few questions. I have been looking at ways to be able to reuse freezer paper and I think I found it
However had a few questions… I was wondering what frame you were using and what type of material you are using for the screen? Is there a cheaper method besides buying a pre made silkscreen?
You can use any mesh material from the fabric store. However, I have found this to be difficult to work with and actually more expensive than the screen mesh sold on a roll. The right mesh should not be too open such as netting, it should be more like a sheer fabric such as used in bridal gowns (that’s why it is so expensive). If you are teaching a class and just want an easy explanation of how screenprinting works then I would reccommend stretching pantyhose over embroidery hoops. Also, I HAVE used mosquito netting from the sports equipment store which is cheap but hard to find, I ordered mine online and found that even it was too open and now use it to make paper moulds. I hope this help.
Hey, nice tutorial! I have been stenciling on shirts for a couple of years now, but never really got into screen printing. Sounds more efficient than what I do (paint it straight on with a sponge brush! takes a while!).
Two qeustions… Do you Place the stencil on top of the screen? and how to you make the screen?