Discover the Best Screen Printing Classes Near Me
Screen printing is a popular printing technique that involves transferring ink onto a surface through a mesh stencil. The process involves first creating the stencil, usually using a silk or synthetic mesh stretched over a frame, and applying ink through the open areas of the stencil onto the printing surface. The stencil acts as a barrier, only allowing ink to pass through the desired areas, resulting in a crisp and precise print.
A versatile printmaking technique, screen printing can be used on a variety of materials, including paper, textiles, and plastics. It’s often used for printing t-shirts, posters, and signs, and can be done manually or with automated machinery. Screen printing also allows the use of a wide range of colors and designs, making it a popular choice for creating unique and eye-catching prints.
Why You Should Learn Screen Printing
There are many reasons why learning screen printing can be a valuable skill to have. First, screen printing lets you create unique and personalized designs on an array of materials. Whether you want to print t-shirts for your business or create custom artwork, screen printing gives you the freedom to express your creativity in a tangible and visually appealing way. By learning screen printing, you’ll gain worthwhile skills that can be used for personal projects or even to start your own business.
Second, screen printing can be a cost-effective way to produce high-quality prints in large quantities. If you need to print a huge number of items, such as promotional products or merchandise for an event, screen printing can be a more affordable option compared to other printing methods. What’s more, screen printing allows for the use of a vast assortment of inks, including metallic and glow-in-the-dark formulations. Using cool inks adds an extra touch of creativity to your designs.
Finally, learning screen printing can be a fun and rewarding hobby. It’s a hands-on process that requires attention to detail and patience, but the result can be incredibly satisfying. You can experiment with different colors, designs, and materials to create original and personalized items. Whether you’re a professional artist or just looking for a new hobby, screen printing can provide a fulfilling creative outlet.
5 Ways to Learn Screen Printing
- In-person workshops and classes: Screen printing workshops and classes are available at many community centers, art schools, and even print shops. These can offer a great way to learn from experienced instructors and get experience with the equipment.
- Online classes and tutorials: Numerous online resources are available that can teach you the basics of screen printing, from classes to free video tutorials on YouTube to paid online classes on platforms like Skillshare or Udemy.
- Books: Many books are available on the subject of screen printing, ranging from beginner-level guides to more advanced manuals. These books can be a good resource for learning about the various techniques and equipment involved in the process.
- Practice and experimentation: The best approach to learning screen printing is through hands-on experience. Put together a basic screen printing setup at home, gather some supplies, and start experimenting with different inks, screens, and designs.
- Join a screen printing community: A screen printing community, whether online or in person, can be a wonderful way to learn from other printmakers, get feedback on your work, and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and techniques in the industry.
In-Person Screen Printing Classes
There are several kinds of venues that offer in-person screen printing classes, such as community centers, art studios, colleges and universities, recreation centers, print shops, and manufacturing spaces. Community centers and recreation centers often host beginner-level screen printing classes that are affordable and accessible to a broad range of learners. Ateliers and art studios may teach more advanced classes for experienced learners or specialized silk-screening classes. Colleges and universities typically have screen printing classes as part of their art programs, ranging from beginner to advanced levels. Also, some print shops, manufacturers, and retailers may host classes or workshops to showcase their products and techniques.
Super Silk Screen, Inc., located in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens, New York, makes silk screens based on artwork provided by artists who then utilize these screens to do their own printing. Additionally, the company offers weekly workshops and classes on introductory fabric printing. Their classes are conveniently scheduled during both day and night hours.
Fabric Printing at Super Silk Screen is a workshop class for all experience levels and is designed to give a personalized experience to students. Before attending the workshop, you’ll submit your own graphic art design by email at least two days in advance. Using your artwork, they’ll create a silk screen that you’ll use during the workshop to print on fabrics. Each student can bring up to five fabric items to print on, and they provide a selection of inks, squeegees, and other materials to use for free as part of the workshop cost. Upon completion, you’ll get to take home your screen and the items you’ve printed, as well as a certificate of completion. You’ll also get a silkscreen made from your own design that you can keep and reuse in the future.
Kids Fabric Printing Workshop with Magic! at Super Silk Screen is a great opportunity for children to have fun with screen printing. Before the workshop, parents should email a design made by their kids. Super Silk Screen will make a screen with it that's ready at the workshop for the kids to print. The design must be solid black on white and measure eight by ten inches. At the workshop, the kids will use the screen to print with and keep for reuse. They can bring up to five fabric items to print on, including t-shirts, bags, or hoodies. The workshop will be taught by magician Ian Carpenter, who performed with Shari Lewis and Lamb Chops on television. The workshop combines magic with screen printing on fabric items to make each step interesting. Parents are required to attend the workshop with their kids at no extra cost. All kids will receive a Certificate of Completion.
Better Than Jam's Store & Studio in Brooklyn’s East Williamsburg neighborhood was founded in 2007 as the textile printing and fashion line of owner Karin Persan. There’s a small showroom on the premises where local designers displayed handmade creations before the pandemic. Now the space is mainly Persan’s large private studio, where all the screen printing and textile dyeing occurs. As a student in their classes and workshops, you’ll be welcomed into the artist's one-of-a-kind creation space.
Screenprinting Beginners Workshop at Better Than Jam’s Store & Studio is a beginner-level class that will teach you how to print your own design. In this class, you’ll learn the tricks of getting that “perfect print” and which inks to use. You’ll even discover how to do screen printing at home. Before the class starts, you’ll create your own design and send in your artwork. It will be prepared on a screen beforehand and be ready when you arrive, so you can get started printing. You can print on almost anything, including textiles or papers. Sample materials are provided. Select "add screen" to the order when booking the class if you want to keep your screen for reuse.
Makers Mess in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles, California, is a vibrant creative space for artists to learn, collaborate, and get inspired. They offer art and design classes for everyone—both kids and adults. They also host “rad events” such as birthdays, pop-up shops, bridal showers, baby showers, and art exhibitions. Makers Mess was established as a place where you can make messes or masterpieces as you discover and perfect your artistic talents.
DIY Screen Printing at Makers Mess is a workshop class appropriate for beginning students. In this class, you’ll learn how to print with seasoned veterans of the printmaking fine art scene. This workshop will cover all the screen printing basics as well as give you ample time to get creative. You’ll make fun, hand-printed tote bags and art prints. Materials are provided at Makers Mess unless stated otherwise in the class description.
Ryonet Corporation in Cerritos, California, is a unique and creative space for all kinds of makers. Their journey, from the past to the present, has been one of “growth, fun, and learning: from high school, to punk rock, to eBay, to silkscreening, to Ryonet.” They are led by these concepts: find, build and serve. They find ideas, needs, markets, products, and customers. They build dreams, websites, teams, and customer relationships. Along the way, they also offer classes and workshops to share their knowledge and give creative people some real-world experience.
Screen Print Experience at Ryonet Corporation is an intensive two-session class for beginning-level students. The class includes blank t-shirts that will be available for you to practice your new screen printing knowledge. Lunch for both days (call the week before for vegetarian options) is also provided. You’ll make use of Ryonet's book for the digital screen printing class and materials for note-taking. Most importantly, you’re going to acquire hands-on skills and information about the screen printing industry.
