Craftalopod

My name is Rachael, and this is a blog about my successes and struggles with turning my love of screen printing and crafts into a hobby, and from there (hopefully) a successful business. I will show you every thing I have tried and learned along the way. Get ready for blood, sweat, tears, and a lot of grammatical errors.

[craftalopod]

Another exposure lesson

I decided how to use one of the two leftover coated screens from the last post. This was a design I created a few posts ago and was intended to be used to tile on a tapestry. I didn't have high hopes for this one. To keep it the size I wanted, I had to print it on four transparencies and overlay them. I worked for a while to tape the four so they are as lined up as they could be, but once I taped them to the screen they wouldnt lay flat.

I knew this detail was more intense on this print so I decided to increase my exposure time to 20min.

While I was washing out, the points where the transparencies overlapped washed out the soonest. I'm assuming the over lap allowed less light to penetrate due to the darker cover.

The detail I was able to get was impressive. I wish I would have put a coin next to the screen to show off how little these lines are.

I did have some issues.

After spraying out the screen, I was nervous that it still wasn't exposed enough. I decided to lay it back under the light just to make sure. I'm pretty certain this was unnecessary but it made me feel better. Unfortuantly, before exposing I forgot dry the base. This caused a bubble by the corner flower but it was far enough away that I can probably tape over it. Aside from that, I feel like I was just expecting too much of my screen. I may expose it for longer next time to see if it can fix it.

[craftalopod]

*deep inhale*

(this post belongs before the last one)

So I was trying to use this emulsion calculatir, from the last post, with no luck. I tried like 6 times and couldnt get it to hold. I tried everywhere from 5 min to 50 min with NO F***ING LUCK. After hours of trying, I decided to have a moment with Google.

Let me teach y'all something about screens.

Mesh size is very important. Mesh size is measured by how many threads are crossing per square inch. For instance, a 110 mesh screen has 110 threads crossing per square inch. The higher the mesh count, the finer the threads and holes are in the screen. This also means the higher the mesh count, the smaller detail you can print.

The picture on the left has a mesh count of 110, the one on the right 180, and you can see the difference. The type on the calculator was too small for my 110 mesh count screens to pick up. Mesh counts that low are best for large block printing. It was washing out every time. I knew if I want to print anything with detail, I will need to get new screens in the near future.

Although it feels like a setback, its not, its a learning experience. I'm glad I learned this now and not when I had a client relying on me.

[craftalopod]

Back at it again

I ran out of time to print with my new screens BUT I was able to expose them for next time. The design was a doodle I did a year or so back, I became a HUGE fan if the artist Derek Yaniger and the beatnik art style in general (see previous post). I had to modify the design a bit because I want to print these on color shirts, more specifically, the tiedye shirts from the previous post.

I coated a total of four screens (in case I had any issues), both sides, and let them sit for over 24 hours in my "dark room". When they were dry, I pulled them out for exposure. I neex to find a better way to line up my transparencies. What I did this time was line up some popsicle sticks to help guide the sheet in the same place for both. My coating is getting better. Most of the lines that you'll see in the pictures below are from spraying it out. The shelf that my press is on is smaller than my screens and ive been struggling pulling off the extra emulsion. I may have to end up coating them on the floor instead.

Layer one turned out good- well good enough. This was my first screen which is the top black layer. I exposed this one for 10min. There are a few spots on her dress that are coming off a bit but noting too serious. I knew this ment I needed to increase my exposure time.

For the second screen I increased the exposure time to 15min and I made a world of a difference! I think I could have sprayed this one out a little better, but I noticed some of the thin lines were peeling up slightly which made me worry. Over all, I think this one turned out better.

I still have two screens that can be exposed. I think I have an idea for one of them, but I'm not sure about the other one.

[craftalopod]

Look what came in the mail today!

Shop GoldUpUSAInc at the Amazon Arts, Crafts & Sewing store. Free Shipping on eligible items. Save on everyday low prices.

[craftalopod]

Check me out!

Originally I wanted to do a YouTube channel for my printing. Maybe down the line but trying to film this in the space I had, I've gained a new respect for the creative YouTubers.

[craftalopod]

Exposure #3: *POP* F***

I told myself not to do it. I knew it was going to be bad. Why then did I do it? I'm impatient. The screen was wet, I wanted it dry fast. I decided to use my heatgun to speed up the process. I knew this was going to happen, but I did it anyway. I'm so mad at myself. DO NOT RUSH! Its really not worth it. TAKE CARE OF YOUR EQUIPMENT! It costs a lot of money, don't waste it over something stupid.

[craftalopod]

Exposure 2:

Guys, I fucked up. This was my second try of screen exposing. The emulsion was dry when I started. I exposed it for a little longer than the last screen (like 3-5 min longer), but when it was done the emulsion was a little tacky bit still holding strong. I brought it over to the washout sink and.....

I'm so mad. I know I shouldnt be, but I am. ITS IMPORTANT TO CHECK EVERYTHING. I had my spray nozzle on too high and I wasnt paying attention. I also dont think my lines were as crisp as my last run, but I think I may be asking too much from a mesh count of 110. I'm going to be ordering new screens soon.

Things I've learned while doing this:

Shit happens

Check everything, and then check everything again.

Youre still not perfect, but you are getting better!

Expect things to go wrong, you'll be less pissed when they do, and more excited when they don't!

A thread count of 110 cannot hold detailed designs, jts better for large block artwork.

[craftalopod]

Exposure 1:

IT WORKED!!!

Alright, so I lied. This is not exposure #1. I think this was my third or fourth try. I used my exposure calculator and couldn't get it to hold at all. I was about to quit but I decided to try another design and IT WORKED!

This time around I coated three screens with emulsion with the intent to try three different exposure times and with the hope that at least one would turn out alright. I did NOT expect it to be my first one.

Its not perfect but its a HELL of a lot better than my last attempts. I'm assuming, because it didn't wash out as clean as I would have liked, I need to expose it for less time. It could also be a lot of other factors, they type of emulsion, the exposure set up, they way I coated it. Lets be honest, its probably user error.

What a boost of encouragement. To be honest, I didnt think I would make it this far. I'm super proud of how far I have come. Now to see how the other two screens come out. Wish me luck!

[craftalopod]

This is my exposure set up.

I coated three screens with emulsion and let them sit over night. This is the exposure setup I am using. My father was able to dig up an old halogen light in his garage. Cross your fingers everything goes well! I'm hoping thos larger design will hold its shape. Ive set my timer for...I dont remember. I'll try and remember to record it next time.

[craftalopod]

FREE Exposure Claculator

I was online and found this WONDERFUL free exposure calculator from Anthem Screen Printing. Hopefulli I can use this to help figure out how how long I should keep my screens under the light.

At last, a FREE screen exposure calculator! Download the free file, and use to test the proper exposure time for all your different screen m

[craftalopod]

Doodle Noodle

I did not doodle a noodle, but I used my noodle to doodle.

After spending a few too many hours in Pinterest, I became a HUGE fan of the artist Derek Yaniger, and decided to use him as inspiration on a few doodles. I love the flat design and the simplicity of the art. The lines create some whimsical shapes and exaggerated direction and the block color gives it a fun illusion of depth.

Stop. Hold on.

Okay so I never did any research on this man until composing this post. I'm actually really upset with myself. This man is AWESOME! Give him a google!

[craftalopod]

Dying to dye

I've really been wanting to try some tiedye and what better time then while in vacation. As a group we dyed a total of 12 shirts (I think). We used rubber bands, popsicle sticks and a few wooden shapes. To create all different types of patterns.

I was really excited to do this so I could experiment with different techniques to later use with screen printing. The only issue I found while doing this was using trash bags and children. If all the ink is not soaked up on the tee, it stays on the trash bag and ruins any other shirt that is placed on top. Children are messy.

They turned out PERFECT. Not a single one was dull. Watching the kids apply the massive amounts of dyehad me nervous that they were all going to turn into a muddy mess but everyone ended up beautiful. The whole family squeezed in the kitchen to watch as I run them out.

"OOOOH...AAHHH!"

Here are a few more I did including a black bleach dye shirt I tried, it didnt turn out as well as I would have liked. I was nervous about the amount of bleach applied. After it was finished I found there was not enough bleach.

I may be printing on these later, I may not. We will find out.

[craftalopod]

Tapestry design

I was bored today and decided to design something new. I love tapestries and thought it would be fun to make my own. I know my current screens might not be able to pick up this detail, I may need to get some new ones.

I tried a few different designs and I couldnt get them to line up properly. I was do frustrated until I thought to actually measure it out, duh.

[craftalopod]

Well, I tried.

I decided to buy some emulsion. I was so tired of using stencils. Of course I bought a giant bucket. (I dont remember the brand, I'll post that later.) I also don't have an exposure table of any kind so I decided to use the tools I have in my house, aka my medusa lamp. I went to my closet and used every lightbulb I had, all different colors, watts, all that jazz.

I used this really cute bird design I found. I picked it because he was mostly large sections but it also had a bit of detail, my plan was to see how well my screen picked up the different sizes. The edges were also a little rough, I figured this way it wouldnt be too upsetting if I didn't get nice clean crisp lines. This was printed off at Staples with transparent paper.

Coating my screen was stupid. I didnt have an emulsion scoop, which I'm assuming you dont REALLY need, but I couldnt think of a way to rig one up, so I just used my squeegee and "flooded" my screen as if I was printing. It was too thick so I actually applied pressure like I was printing to help thin it out a bit. This made a HUGE mess, but it worked. It wasnt the most even, but I was proud of myself.

So I put the coated screen on too of my stove, under the medusa lamp with the transparency on top. I dont remember how long I exposed it for. The timer goes off, I turn off the lights, I move to the sink.... It doesnt fit. Thats fine, I have the sprayer, not the easiest but it'll do the trick. At this point I'm floating.

"This is the best thing in the world, I'm going to be a millionaire, I'll never need to buy a graphic tee again!"

...its not coming clean. I can see the picture but its not washing out enough. I try a little harder, no change.

... Maybe a brush? Its starting to work but its a bitch.

... Its almost done, just push a little harder...

POP!

I was do close. I mean look at it! Even the thin lines in the wood showed up properly! I'm so mad.

Back to stencils.

[craftalopod]

Shirt for a friend

This is another stencil print, but I foundd a better way I of doing it! Instead of freehanding everything, I dusted off out old projector, pulled up an image, and pointed that bad boy right on the wall where my contact paper was taped. This process saved me such a headache on this one.

I'm not too pleased with the quality of this one. The print itself looks great but I did not put a lot of care into it. The prints are pretty low on some of the shirts and ALL of them are off-center. Also, there are some fingerprints. I will be doing a reprint in the near future.

[craftalopod]

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I'm still trying to catch up to real time, but lets be real, its never too early to celebrate Christmas! This was a gift from my mother this last Christmas and it was a total surprise! I still need to bolt it down to use it properly, but it has made a wonderful difference. I no longer need assistance while printing, I dont need to worry as much about getting ink all over my house, and the screen won't slide while I pull the ink! Mom, I love it! Thank you!

I will take a better picture soon!

[craftalopod]

Vacation

I'm a little behind on posting, I had a vacation and a funeral to attend. While I was gone I took some super sweet Polaroid and have some great ocean inspiration that you'll hopefully see in some later posts. Polaroids are another one of my hobbies, I'm not good at it, but I love it! I'll be doing some projects with the junk ones soon.