Introduction to Screen Printing

Why Sticker Screen Printing?

I love introducing screen printing to students using stickers. The materials are easy and accessible, there’s no need for the photo emulsion process or exposing the screen; just grab your favourite stickers, and apply them directly to the screen. Students can clearly see which sections are blocked, and which areas the ink will be able to pass through.

Getting Started:
The Magic of Stickers

Gather Your Supplies:

• Screen printing frame (you can use any wooden frame and printing mesh)

• Fabric paint or screen printing ink (we love neon Speedball ink)

• Squeegee

• Masking or blue tape

• Stickers galore!

Choose Your Canvas: Whether it's a tote bag, a t-shirt, or a piece of paper, decide what you want to print on.

1. Prepare your screen beforehand:

   • Mark out a rectangle on the outside of the screen in masking tape, the size of the area you want to print.

   • Block off all the surrounding area with tape, so you are left with a clear area to work on.

2. Sticker Time:

   • Peel and stick your favourite stickers directly onto the outside of the screen.

   • Create patterns, apply randomly or form abstract shapes, the possibilities are endless!

   • We found foil and paper stickers work best, not puffy stickers

3. Ink It Up:

   • Line up your screen on your canvas or paper (sticker side down)

   • Apply a generous amount of ink at the top of the inside of the screen.

   • Using the squeegee, spread the ink across the entire screen.

   • Pull the squeegee across the screen several times.

4. You’ve done it!:

   • Carefully unveil the print beneath.

Voila! You've just created your very own sticker stencil and witnessed the magical process of screen printing!

Why Kids Love It:

1. Sticker screen printing offers quick and satisfying results, keeping little artists engaged from start to finish.

2. You can print again and again to create a series of the same print; adding different colour inks, seeing how they mix and blend together, seeing how prints look on different coloured paper.

3. With so many different stickers to choose from, projects can link to any theme or go in any direction. Try adding washi tape or cutting your own shapes from sticky-backed plastic.

Calling All Art Educators!

Have you tried sticker screen printing? I’d love to see your results!