If you are set up with a studio for most any type of non-electronic art then certainly skip ahead to sections Directions for use. You work area is ready. For the other 99% of you we have listed some suggestions below in the Work Area Checklist:

 

Set-Up Materials

• Clean, stable, flat surface (i.e.: waterbed not recommended)
• Some ventilation
• Steady light source
• Close to a water source and tub/basin
• Latex or similar pair of Gloves
• Masking, Duct, or similar water-resistant tape
• Pencil (Large point Soft Lead works best)
• Eye Protection (Recommended)
• Drop Cloth (cut up garbage bags, plastic, etc.)

 

Directions For Screen Set-Up:

On a piece of paper; draw out, trace, print through a computer, or use other unknown powers to get down your image. When complete, place the paper w/ image on a surface (clean, dry, stable, etc.) and the screen frame on top of it. Align the screen frame so that the side with the screen is down and against the paper. This is a set up for creating a positive image (as opposed to reversed, or negative). Use the soft pencil to trace on the screen. Later you will follow these pencil lines with the Drawing Fluid. If you want to free-hand paint with the Drawing Fluid, then place the Frame with the Screen up, above a drop cloth.

Shake up and open the 4oz. bottle cleverly labeled Drawing Fluid. With the screen side of the frame elevated, paint on the drawing fluid with the brush. Keep the bottle near the screen as you paint it on. Apply the fluid lightly, just enough to saturate the mesh without bubbling.

 

***If you make a mistake at this point - relax.***
There is plenty of Drawing Fluid. Cap the bottle and bring the screen a water source.
Gently rinse out with water and let the screen dry.

 

Once the Drawing Fluid is on the screen take a good look at it. If you see bubbles or overly thick or seemingly sparse areas of fluid, consider calling it your second practice screen. If not, let it dry or dry it with a fan placed at least 24 inches away so that it doesn't push the Drawing Fluid places you don't want it. Leave the frame flat as the Drawing Fluid dries.

Next - shake up and open the 4oz. bottle accurately labeled Screen Filler. Pour a bead of the filler across the screen along one of the two short lengths of frame. Use the squeegee to drag the filler all the way across the screen. Try not to create too much overlap. Thick areas should be leveled. If you have too much filler (bumps, lumps, or bubbles), pick up one end of the screen frame 45 degrees and drag the squeegee from the bottom up. The excess filler will collect on the squeegee blade - just like cake icing on a spatula - and a credit card or a similar item can be used to sweep it back into the bottle. Follow the same steps as with Drawing Fluid for drying the screen.

When the screen is dry you can remove the Screen Filler on the areas of the screen where Drawing Fluid was applied. To do this, set the screen in a wet basin with warm water (preferably running - the water, not you). Use an old toothbrush or similar tool with the water, gently making small circles on the areas of the screen slightly raised and blue from the drawing fluid under screen filler. Work the edges first and move across the screen following the pattern of your design. When complete let the screen dry off. Rush it along with a fan, over a surface you can drip on.

You will be printing soon!