I taught this method to high-school students and found it to be a great way to introduce the concepts of screen-printing without having to deal with the frustrations of exposing the screen. Many of the students became motivated to learn screen-printing on their own after learning the basics with this method. It’s also a great way to run a home business.
Thermofax machines are not cheap and a laser printer is also needed. However, with these two pieces of equipment. Silkscreens can be made quickly and economically. Thermofax machines were once used to make copies and transparencies. Most of the older ones were made by 3M, but they no longer make them. Since these machines are also a used in tattoo shops to make transfers, a new company has begun to manufacture them. New and reconditioned thermofaxes, as well as the thermofax screen mesh are available here. Or check Ebay.
To Begin: Print your image on paper using a laser printer. If using roll screen, cut the screen to the size of the frame. (Frames also available from the website above). Bolder, graphic and high-contrast images work best. Photos with a lot of gray tones will not look as good.
Next: Create a carrier using two transparencies (the copier kind) , taped across the top to create a hinge.
Place your copy face up in the carrier.
Thermofax screen has a textured side and a smooth, plastic side. Place the screen plastic-side down onto the copy and close hinged carrier over the top.
At this point it’s a good idea to run a piece of cardstock through the thermofax a few times to heat the machine up and make sure it’s running smoothly (mine knocks and blinks when it’s heating up). Also, make sure the speed setting is set to a med-high speed. (Slower will melt your screen, faster and the screen loses detail).
Then send your copy and screen (in the carrier) through the machine. Make sure that you run it through with the copy facing up and with the taped hinged side feeding into the machine first. You may need to send them through a few times to be sure that details are picked up.
Remove the screen from the copy. The thermofax heats the toner and melts the plastic on the screen to create the stencil.
Apply double-sided tape to the frame. Stretch the screen similar to the way you would a canvas. Attaching the screen (plastic side down) by stretching it across the frame. When positioned, apply firm pressure to attach.
To print: Apply ink to the side of the screen that overlaps the frame (the textured side). If you screen on the other side, ink could seep under the frame or the plastic could be rubbed off by the squeegee. I like to use a plastic putty knife to apply ink to the screen.
Then, drag ink across the screen using a squeegee or a scrap piece of cardboard. Always proof your work on newsprint, before printing on something valuable.
Here’s the first print!
Make sure to clean your screen before the ink dries, otherwise the screen will be permanently clogged and ruined.
cool, we did this exactly at my high school for a Commercial Art class!
shannon okey told me about this and i am so excited! i owned a tattoo shop for about 10 years and kept my thermal fax, just cause i couldn’t bear to sell it, no clue why. i am excited to try this!
Hi,
What a great post! I’ve been looking for an alternate (ie cleaner) way to screen, and it looks like this could be it. Do you know if the thermofax serves any purpose other than to heat the screen and the toner image? I’m just trying to figure out if any other device might work, such as a laminator. Thanks for your input!
Diana
Hi Diana,
I have not been able to find out if a laminator would work because I have been too afraid to try it and ruin a machine. I have run some screen through my laser printer and it did not work. So, not sure how exactly how this lamp only heats the toner.
Best,
Amy
I saw this method (in far less detail) in Threads magazine. Do you know, do any copy shops keep any machiens around or do you have to spring for your own thermofax? Thanks – wonderful post
A friend of mine mentioned this to me just yesterday and I was like, “Dang that is cool, but a 1000 bucks for a Machine? I can’t afford that.” Haha, yeah little did I know I already had one. My father gave me all his tattooing equipment and that is amongst it.
Does anyone know whether this will work with an inkjet printer?
And thanks for such a helpful post – I’ve been wondering how this works exactly.
No, an inkjet will not work. Laser printers use carbon toner. It is this carbon that reacts to the heat and light that causes the thermo screen to “melt” away. Inkjets use ink sprayed onto the paper. There is no carbon in the ink.
BTW… lots of places practically give away their “old” laser printers. I just picked up a sweet HP color laser printer for $16.00. That is not a typo… so just keep a look out. Lot’s of businesses get rid of their old equipment when they upgrade. Also, laser printers are so superior to inkjet, you will never go back! Plus the cartridges will last an average user a lifetime. They are designed for businesses with high print output. Think about it, never buying stupid printer ink again!
so, that’s my 2 cents!
Trina
Looking for some advice please! I have done everything but when i run the image through the thermofax machine it does not completely melt away the plastic. It doesn’t melt everything away and leaves a plastic layer and I can’t get a clear image. Could it be my machine? Should I let it heat up longer?
So frustrating!
Kim: I’m having the same problem! My screens turn out patchy and jagged, no matter what I try!! I’m ready to sell the stupid machine and give up!! Has anyone else experienced this? Do you have a solution?
Jessica,
I don’t know if you have an old thermofax or one of the new ones. I’ve heard that the new ones do not work very well. Either way, here are some causes I’ve discovered for blotchy prints:
1. Screen material was left in a hot area. Mine was left in my garage in the summer, luckily, it was just a small amount.
2. You are using a laser printer which applies much more toner than needed. Try going over you image with a heat gun before making your screen. This keeps the toner from sticking to your screen and blocking it. The best thing to use is an older photocopier (newer ones are just like laser printers). I use a PC170 Canon home copier which works great.
3. Finally, I was getting terrible results at one point so I opened up my machine and realize the switch on the left which allows you to remove the belt was up and so therefore not really making contact with the bulb as I ran my print through.
Hope this helps. At the very least, gives you some things to try. Unfortunately, I’m not an expert on the machines, and can’t tell you how to fix it. It could be that it is time for it to be refurbished if it is an old machine. A new belt, a cleaning and a new bulb. Although, mine has never been refurbished and still has the original bulb. It is horrible-looking and old but I’ve been able to work through some of the issues with it.
Thank you so much for posting about this machine. I’m kid of bummed, because tomorrow Im have a screen workshop and now the bulb wont work. I have thermo-fax 3m model 45 CG. I’m not expecting you to figure this out, but if you have any suggestions it would be highly appreciated. I love your site as well. HELP!!
PLEASE DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE TO PURCHASE A THERMOFAX MACHINE IN THE UK?
THANKS
where can I buy a thermofax machine?
Where do you buy your thermo screen film? Any site with good prices? Thanks!
hi all. i so need a thermofax machine does anyone know where to get one? in oz?
What a great page! Thanks for the super clear explanation! Isn’t this a beautiful thing?!
I hunted for a couple of years for a thermofax with no luck :~( and finally found the new manufacturer, in Germany. We bought several to save on shipping, and have them listed on the northwoods.us website now. Along with lots of screen film material, and a screen making service in case you don’t get your hands on an imager in time. We ship everywhere.
I’ve been runningall kinds of tests with mine, posting more soon. We don’t use a carrier, most of the time; just make sure that when the page is run through the imager, no carbon is left uncovered and no emulsion is left uncovered. (Smaller images get taped onto a larger sheet.)
Also, some inkjet printers work. Most any that use HP black ink do – they are carbon blacks. You will need to set the printer color options to “Print using only black cartridge” so you don’t get a mixed black that won’t flash. Also(for gocco transitioners) I find the image needs to be darker than the gocco originals. Oh, So excited! Back to work(play). Have fun, all, Judy
Thanks for the info Judy. I’ve been hearing from many people that the new Thermofaxes do not image well. For older Thermofaxes, lighter images work best. I used to make my images 50% gray. The black that gets embedded into the screen is due to too much carbon. So, less carbon works best especially for images with large spaces of color. Also, to remove more carbon from the screen. Run the exposed screen through the thermofax a couple of times with a blank sheet of paper. You will find that the excess carbon sticks to the clean paper. Do this a couple of times to really open up your screen.
thanks for this clear demonstration of the thermofax technique in silkscreen process. it helped me a lot to understand something i have been struggling with for a couple of years in our silkscreen lab.
i have been blocking out with the “speed ball” drawing fluid with adequate results. but it is very labor intensive to paint around every dot and line.
this process you describe may be the answer to transfering a drawing to silkscreen.
I was wondering if you use a heat press and what the benefit of one is?
I use a heat press to heat set the inks. It’s just more consistent than an iron.
Holy Cow! I am so psyched! I have an old thermofax my husband gave me when he upgraded his office & didn’t need it anymore. Saw a reference to using it for screen printing & looked for info. Your’s if the 1st site & I am so thrilled! I only need the screen & am in business. Super thanks.