Create your own custom screen printed tote bag with a design of your choice. This beginner-friendly project takes about 2-3 hours including drying time, and results in a unique, reusable bag perfect for groceries, books, or gifts. No prior screen printing experience needed!
Create or choose a simple design with bold shapes and clear lines. Print it out in black and white at the size you want on your tote bag. For beginners, start with designs that are 8x10 inches or smaller with minimal fine details.
Print your design onto a transparency sheet using an inkjet or laser printer, or trace your design onto the transparency with a permanent marker. Make sure the black areas are completely opaque - this is crucial for proper screen exposure.
Cover your work surface with newspaper or a plastic sheet. Lay out all your materials within easy reach. Make sure you're working in a well-ventilated area, preferably near a sink for cleanup.
In a darkened room or low light, use the scoop coater to apply a thin, even layer of photo emulsion to your clean, dry screen. Hold the screen at a slight angle and pull the coater smoothly from bottom to top. Coat both sides, ending with the print side. Work quickly but carefully to avoid drips.
Place the coated screen horizontally in a completely dark space, print side down. Let it dry for 2-4 hours or until completely dry to the touch. A fan can speed up drying, but keep the area dark - light will expose the emulsion prematurely.
Once dry, place your transparency on the print side of the screen with the design facing down. Cover with a piece of clear glass or plexiglass to ensure good contact. Expose to a bright light source (sunlight, UV light, or exposure unit) for the time recommended by your emulsion (usually 10-45 minutes). Ensure even exposure across the entire design.
After exposure, immediately rinse both sides of the screen with cool water using a gentle spray. The unexposed emulsion (where your design was) will wash away, leaving open mesh. Continue rinsing until you see your design clearly and water flows freely through those areas. Pat dry gently and let air dry completely.
Hold the dry screen up to light and check for any pinholes or areas where emulsion washed away unintentionally. Use a small brush and extra emulsion or screen filler to patch any imperfections. Let dry completely before printing.
Wash and dry your blank tote bag to remove any sizing or chemicals. Iron it smooth to eliminate wrinkles. Place a piece of cardboard inside the bag to prevent ink from bleeding through to the back side. Position the cardboard where you want your design to print.
Lay your tote bag flat on your work surface with the cardboard insert positioned correctly. Place your prepared screen on top, positioning it exactly where you want the design. You may want to use tape to mark the position for consistent placement if printing multiple bags.
Spoon a generous line of fabric screen printing ink across the top edge of your design area on the screen. Use enough ink to cover the width of your design with a thick line about the diameter of a pencil.
Hold the screen firmly in place with one hand. Using the squeegee at a 45-degree angle, pull the ink down across the design with firm, even pressure in one smooth motion. This first pass floods the screen with ink.
Without lifting the screen, push the ink back up across the design with the squeegee at a 45-degree angle using firm, consistent pressure. This second pass pushes the ink through the mesh onto the fabric. Maintain even pressure throughout the stroke for best results.
Carefully lift the screen straight up from the tote bag, being careful not to smudge the wet ink. Check your print for even coverage and clear details. If needed, you can make another pass, but avoid overworking as this can cause bleeding.
Allow the ink to air dry for at least 24 hours. Once completely dry, remove the cardboard insert and place a thin cloth or parchment paper over the design. Iron on medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes, moving the iron constantly to heat set the ink and make it washable. Follow your specific ink's heat setting instructions.
Immediately after printing, rinse excess ink from your screen with cool water. Use a soft brush if needed. Once ink is removed, you can store the screen for future use with the same design, or reclaim it by removing the emulsion with emulsion remover to use for a new design.