Are you ready to dive into the world of screen printing? With our newly expanded range of Speedball block and screen printing materials, BradburyART has everything you need to get started or take your craft to the next level. Let’s answer some of the most common questions about screen printing and showcase the tools and materials you can find at our Belfast store and online.
Do You Need to Heat Set Speedball Screen Printing Ink?
Yes, you need to heat set Speedball fabric screen printing ink to make it permanent on fabric. This step ensures that your designs are washable and long-lasting. After the ink has dried completely, use a household iron to heat set the design. Set the iron to the appropriate temperature for your fabric (typically “cotton” setting for most fabrics). Place a piece of parchment paper or a clean cloth over the design and press firmly for 3-5 minutes, moving the iron continuously.
For best results, follow the ink’s specific instructions, which can be found on the product’s packaging. At BradburyART, we stock a variety of Speedball fabric inks in bold, vibrant colors designed for professional-quality results.
How to Do Screen Printing Step by Step
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to screen printing:
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Prepare Your Design: Create or print your design onto a transparency sheet. If you’re hand-drawing, use a dense black marker to ensure opacity.
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Prepare the Screen: Coat your screen with Speedball Diazo Photo Emulsion, available in our store, in a dark, dust-free space. Allow it to dry completely.
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Expose Your Screen: Place your transparency on the screen and expose it to light. Speedball’s Screen Printing Kits include exposure lamps for this purpose. After exposure, rinse the screen to reveal your stencil.
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Set Up for Printing: Lay your fabric or paper on a flat surface, and place the screen on top. Tape the edges of the screen to prevent ink bleed.
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Print Your Design: Apply Speedball Screen Printing Ink to the screen and use a squeegee to pull the ink evenly across the stencil. Lift the screen carefully to reveal your print.
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Allow to Dry: Let the print air dry. For fabric prints, follow the heat-setting instructions mentioned earlier.
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Clean Up: Wash your screen and tools immediately after use with soap and water to prevent the ink from drying on the screen.
Our range includes Speedball Squeegees, Diazo Emulsion Kits, and high-quality inks to simplify your printing process.
How Long Does Speedball Screen Printing Ink Take to Dry?
Speedball screen printing ink typically takes 24-48 hours to dry, depending on the material and environmental conditions. Factors such as humidity, temperature, and thickness of the ink layer can affect drying times. Placing your project in a warm, dry space can speed up the process. Remember to ensure that the ink is fully dry before heat setting.
How Do You Get the Image on the Screen for Screen Printing?
To transfer your image to the screen, you’ll use a photo emulsion process:
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Coat your screen with Speedball Diazo Photo Emulsion.
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Allow it to dry in a dark environment.
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Place your design (on transparency film) on the screen and expose it to light.
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After exposure, rinse the screen with water to wash away the unexposed emulsion, leaving your stencil ready for printing.
For beginners, we recommend Speedball’s Beginner Screen Printing Kits, which include everything you need to create your first design.
Optimizing Your SEO with Our Product Range
To help customers find exactly what they need, our new Speedball section includes detailed listings of key products:
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Speedball Screen Printing Kits: Ideal for beginners and professionals, complete with screens, inks, and tools.
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Speedball Fabric Inks: Available in a variety of vibrant colors, perfect for printing on textiles.
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Speedball Diazo Photo Emulsion Kits: Essential for creating custom stencils with precise details.
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Speedball Squeegees: High-quality tools for smooth ink application.
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Speedball Block Printing Inks and Tools: Great for those interested in block printing techniques.
Each product page includes detailed descriptions, usage tips, and compatibility information to enhance your shopping experience. Our expanded range is now available both online and at our Belfast store, with special launch sale prices to help you stock up on your favorites.
Shop Speedball Now
Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned printmaker, our Speedball collection has everything you need. Visit us in Belfast or browse online to explore our full range. Don’t forget – launch sale pricing is only available for a limited time!
