[sdiy] panel engraving / screen printing

[Aaron Cram]

Paul Maddox wrote:

> All,
>
>  Speaking of panels,
> Does anyone know how I can get a silk screen made for a synth Im building
> and hopefully going to sell..
> I need it to look good, IM not too worried about cost, but I dont wanna get
> silly..

Well, I am currently working on a method for DIY screen printing.  It's much
tricker than I imagined, but I think I'm making progress.  Making the
silkscreen stencil is actually not too bad if you use the photo-sensitive
screens available from the following site:  (I use the "Hi-Res" version.)
http://www.cbridge.com/

The really hard part is using the stencil to create a nice, clean-looking
print.  The screen printing ink that you can buy at your local art supply store
is for T-shirts, and won't stick to aluminum.  Any other type of paint that
might stick to aluminum is too thin, and just doesn't work right.  The only
thing I have gotten to work so far is Epoxy glue with pigment mixed in, and it
is VERY difficult to work with.

I have just recently found a source for real screen printing ink that should
stick to aluminum, and ordered some.  I'm now just waiting for it to come in.
I'll let you know if it works, and if there is a demand for it I might put up a
tutorial on my website.
Here's where I bought the ink:
http://www.dickblick.com/zz432/01A/products.asp?param=0&ig_id=1682

Anyone else tried to tackle DIY screen printing?


-Aaron