A quick introductory guide to screen printing with a paper stencil. You can download a printable pdf. here!
You will need:
- Screen
- Squeegee to fit
- Paper to cut your stencil – photocopy paper is good – layout paper is better
- Craft knife
- Water-based fabric ink such as Speedball
- A padded surface to print onto – a folded sheet is good
- A Garment
- Newspaper
Step 1) Draw the outline of the image you wish to print.
![](https://blog.handprinted.co.uk/images/blog/Paper-Stencil-Screen-Printing1.jpg)
Step 2) Using a craft knife, cut out the image. You want to keep the outline of the image and any infill pieces.
![](https://blog.handprinted.co.uk/images/blog/Paper-Stencil-Screen-Printing2.jpg)
Step 3) Stuff the garment with a sheet of newspaper to stop ink reaching the rear of the garment.
![](https://blog.handprinted.co.uk/images/blog/Paper-Stencil-Screen-Printing3.jpg)
Step 4) Position your stencil where you want the image to be, remembering to position any infill pieces.
![](https://blog.handprinted.co.uk/images/blog/Paper-Stencil-Screen-Printing4.jpg)
Step 5) Lay your taped screen onto the stencil. Check there are no gaps around the outside of your stencil. If there are add an extra layer of tape.
![](https://blog.handprinted.co.uk/images/blog/Paper-Stencil-Screen-Printing5.jpg)
Step 6) Put a thick bead of ink along the top edge of your screen.
![](https://blog.handprinted.co.uk/images/blog/Paper-Stencil-Screen-Printing6.jpg)
Step 7) Flood your screen with ink by pulling the squeegee across it lightly at a 45′ angle. Then repeat with a little force, when you have printed correctly there should be no ink on top of the mesh and the noise of the squeegee pull should sound a bit like a zip!
![](https://blog.handprinted.co.uk/images/blog/Paper-Stencil-Screen-Printing7.jpg)
Step 8) Lift the screen from your garment by pressing on one side and lifting the other (a bit like opening a book). Leave the garment to dry and then iron to fix.
![](https://blog.handprinted.co.uk/images/blog/Paper-Stencil-Screen-Printing8.jpg)