★ How To Screen Print At Home | T-Shirts & Fabric Printing Techniques | Craft Tutorials ★

The following are all types of printing which can be used to transfer designs to fabric (and sometimes other surfaces) at home:

- Stencilling: Stencils are usually made from paper, card or plastic, and the design you want to print is cut out of the sheet by hand. The stencil is placed on top of the item to be printed, paint is then brushed, stippled or sprayed on top, then the stencil is removed. Stencilling is usually only used for a one-off, or a small batch of prints. It is very cheap to do, but there are pattern and design limitations, and it's not efficient for creating a large number of prints. Stencilling has a variety of uses - not just printing fabric but also in wall and furniture decoration.

- Screenprinting: This is essentially stencilling but it uses a screen and is a more professional method. It can be used to print repeatedly, plus there aren't really any design limitations and it's easier to add multiple layers of colour. The design is transferred to the screen, the screen is placed over the material to be printed, and then ink is wiped across the screen to print.

- Lino printing: A design is carved out of linoleum using special cutters, ink/paint is added to the surface, and then the lino is pressed down evenly onto the surface to be printed. Often used for transferring designs to paper or card.

- Block printing: This is where the design is raised up from the main block of solid material such as plastic or wood. The design can made in a cheap material like cork or foam, it can be carved out of material like wood, or it can be made by experts in metal or rubber. The block is dipped in ink/paint or the ink/paint is brushed onto the raised design, and the block is pressed evenly onto the surface to be printed. Or vice versa, with the material to be printed being lowered onto the block. Good for repeating patterns.

- Letterpress: Click here for an article all about Letterpress.

- Stamping: Rubber stamps, foam stamps or stamps made from potatoes or other fruit can be used with fabric paint to print on material.

- Transfers: Designs can be bought ready-made or can be created from scratch using plain iron-on transfer paper. The images are set in place oon the fabric with an iron.

- Printing on fabric using a printer: Click here and here for more information and help.

Click here for a brilliant comparison of all fabric decorating techniques.

> Difference between screen printing inks and fabric paint:
You can use screen printing inks for other printing methods, not just for screen printing, or you can use the other option of paint (fabric paint for fabric, or acrylic paint for other materials usually). Ink delivers the more consistent, professional finish, and it is heat cured after printing which makes it more durable.
Fabric paint is fine for someone who does printing for a hobby, or prints the occasional one-off shirt for instance. It dries in the air, but is less durable than ink - But it is cheaper.