More Class Information

I have to say that the screen printing class was phenomenal.  I was so focused on learning how to print t-shirts, I honestly did not realize all the printing possibilities that are available.  The items you can print on are endless.   Did you know you can screen print on paper?  I am so new to the art realm, it did not dawn on me that you could use the same process for printing on paper.  It certainly made sense after I was shown the process.  You need to use water based ink on flat (not gloss) paper.  Once it is printed, it will air dry in 10-15 minutes, but you can also run in through a conveyor dryer.  My mind is already processing the possibilities.

Here is a print we did in class.  It is on paper.  VERY COOL!

FOIL ANYONE?

Another favorite process was heat pressing foil on a shirt.  For this process you need your standard screen printing equipment of course, plus you need foil glue, foil and a heat press.  You screen print the foil glue through your image, run it through the conveyor dryer (or flash dryer), put your shirt on the heat press, put a sheet of foil over your image and heat press it for the recommended time.  I think we pressed it for 45 seconds.  Then you pull the foil sheet off and now you have foil on your image.  This process also has a very soft feel.

I heat pressed blue foil on this shirt.   So cool! :)

Just learning these two things have opened up so many possibilities.  I do not own a heat press yet but it is definitely on my list of things to buy next.  A heat press can be used for so many different applications.  In class they showed us how to heat press a photo onto a piece of aluminum.  It was AMAZING.  I wish I had taken pictures to show you.  It was so beautiful.  There are so many things to heat press on....mouse pads, pictures frames, aluminum, key chains etc.  The diversity of items you can offer for sale are immense.  I can not wait to buy a heat press.  It will probably be my next big purchase.

Be sure to come back. I have lots to share. :)

Jeanette