Screen Printing
Print your own merch — become a one-person t-shirt empire
Screen printing lets you put your designs on t-shirts, posters, tote bags, and more. Using a mesh screen and squeegee, you push ink through a stencil to create sharp, repeatable prints. Start simple with vinyl stencils on a screen, or go full DIY with photo emulsion. Once your screen is set up, you can print dozens of copies.
How to start
- 1Get a basic screen printing kit with a frame, squeegee, and ink
- 2Start with the easiest method: cut a design from vinyl and stick it to your screen as a stencil
- 3Practice your squeegee technique on paper before printing on fabric
- 4Use fabric ink for clothing and let it heat-set with an iron for durability
- 5Graduate to photo emulsion for detailed designs once you've got the basics down
What you'll need
- Screen printing frame with meshEssential~$18
- SqueegeeEssential~$8
- Screen printing inkEssential~$10
- Vinyl or contact paper for stencilsEssential~$5
- Photo emulsion kitNice to have~$20
- Blank t-shirts or tote bagsNice to have~$12
Where to learn more
Plot twists
Ways to spice this up when the basics get boring.
- Print your own band posters or gig flyers
- Screen print wrapping paper for unique gift wrap
- Start a small merch line and sell at local markets
- Print on wood panels for rustic wall art
- Create a limited-edition print series with numbered copies
The setup takes effort, but once your screen is ready, cranking out prints is fast, repetitive, and deeply satisfying. It's a great hobby for people who love tangible output.
Andy Warhol made screen printing a fine art form — his famous Marilyn Monroe prints were originally created using the same basic technique you can learn at home.
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