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DIY Mesh Glue for Screen Printing

Silk-screen printing is no longer an art form reserved for professional artists and large-scale printing operations with sophisticated production techniques. With a few basic supplies, such as plain white glue, and at a fraction of the cost, you can create your own design and produce silk screen images on fabric in an afternoon.

Things You'll Need

Plain, framed silk screen
White craft glue
Glass jar
Medium bristle brush
Fine bristle brush
Stiff bristle brush

Instructions

- 1
  Empty a bottle of white craft glue into a glass jar. Fill the empty bottle of glue with water and then empty it into the glass jar. Place the lid onto the jar. Shake the jar vigorously to mix the glue and water.
- 2
  Place the design that you want to use directly beneath the mesh screen; bold designs without intricate details work best. Dip a medium bristle brush into the jar of glue.
- 3
  Press the brush onto the inside of the screen. Apply the glue to the outside of the border to mask off the edges of the screen. You want the entire screen, except the image, to be covered with glue.
- 4
  Dip a fine bristle brush into the glue. Apply the glue to any intricate details for the design. Start from the inside and work your way to the edges.
- 5
  Dip the stiff bristle brush into the glue. Press the brush onto the screen to mask off larger details for the design. Set the screen aside and allow the glue to dry for at least two hours or until the glue is clear.

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