SILK-SCREEN PRINTING:

APPLICATIONS & TECHNIQUES

Liquitex Medium Viscosity Concentrated Artist Colors and High Viscosity Artist Colors offer artists a non-toxic approach for silk-screen techniques.

Medium Viscosity Concentrated Artist Color

• Consistency of extra heavy cream. Can be squeezed or poured from container.
• Easier to silk-screen through tight mesh screens.
• Dries quickly on absorbent surfaces, such as paper.
• May spread or "bleed" into absorbent surfaces, such as paper.

High Viscosity Artist Color

• Heavy body consistency.
• Less likely to spread or "bleed" when screen printing onto fabric.
• Generally prints more opaque because of thicker paint application.
• May clog in tight mesh screen.

Extending Drying Time

• Mix up to 25% Liquitex Slow-Dri Fluid Retarder with Medium Viscosity Concentrated Artist Color to slow drying time 50% and allow for better transfer of paint to paper during printing, without significantly affecting opacity.
• Mix up to 25% Liquitex Slow-Dri Gel Retarder with High Viscosity Artist Color to slow drying time 50% and allow for better transfer of paint to paper during printing, without significantly affecting opacity.
• Mix Liquitex Slow-Dri Fluid and Gel Retarder to aftain intermediate consistency.

Helpful Hints During Printing

• Prepare all paint necessary for printing before beginning.
• Work quickly. Do not stop during printing.
• Pre-wet screen with 1 part Liquitex Slow-Dri Fluid Retarder and 1 part water.
• To prevent paint from drying on screen during printing, periodically spray screen during printing with 1 part Liquitex Slow-Dri Fluid Retarder and 1 part water. Too much spraying may cause paint to spread ("bleed") on paper.
• For spot cleaning during silk-screen printing, remove paint from screen with a damp cloth as soon as screen clogs.
• To clean major paint clogs on screen, stop printing immediately and clean screen with warm water and non-abrasive sponge or cloth. Blot with paper towel and continue printing.

Liquitex Mediums as Permanent Silk-screen

• Blockouts
• They are resistant to oil based screen inks and solvents.
• For detail blackouts: Use Gloss Medium & Varnish or Matte Medium.
• For large area and expressive blackouts: Use Gloss Gel Medium, Matte Gel Medium or Gloss Heavy Gel Medium.

Stamping, Stenciling, Block Printing Refer to Part 2: Application & Techniques: Fabric

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