Create your very own dream outfits using screen-printing and discover these cute templetes to get started on your custom clothing creations.
A silky screen, a splash of ink, a rubber squeegee (not the one you use to clean the shower though) and plain fabric is all you need to create your very own, one-off clothing line.
Do you ever dream up outfits that don’t exist, or imagine cool clothes and accessories but struggle to find them in shops? Stop looking for things that live in your imagination and start creating them using screen-printing.
This arty craft transforms swirls and sketches on paper into inky patterns on textiles – and it means you can finally make your own brand of merch. All you need is a vision and some simple tools to give this colourful and creative method a go. It takes practise and can be a little tricky at first but here to help is Sweden-based textiles designer Katherine Plumb, who runs her own label, KJP, from a studio in Stockholm.
Katherine explains the process and how you can turn your unique ideas into cool items for you and your friends.
WHAT IS SCREEN-PRINTING?
‘It’s the process of transferring a design or motif onto a surface,’ says Katherine. Most of the time it’s onto paper or fabric to make items like T-shirts, cushion covers, or art prints.
‘Usually, you’d create a semi-permanent stencil on a mesh screen, then use a squeegee to pull ink through that stencil, onto your chosen surface.’
HOW DO YOU DREAM UP DESIGNS?
Screen-prints can be built up in layers of colour, but the best place to start is your actual composition. ‘Play around with collaging/drawing to plan your designs. If you use the paper-stencil method, you will see your prints come to life.’
You can even plan your designs on a computer rather than by hand. ‘This helps you play with opacity levels to see how colours layer up and means you can prepare stencils online then mock-up your designs.’ There’s nothing wrong with an entirely manual process though if technology isn’t your thing.
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO TRY SCREEN-PRINTING?
‘Get yourself a starter kit and get going. Usually, they contain waterproof stencil paper, which you can use repeatedly while you’re learning.
‘If you’d like to go a step further, look online to find studios offering workshops. Once you’ve got the basic equipment, it’s a very affordable hobby to have, and you never know what it might lead to.’
