You are finally ready to begin creating your first image for a screen print design. There are a few things that need to be reviewed, and also some tips that will make it easier for you to produce the work. Some students are not such terrific artists, but they are still able to come up with decent reproducible art. By using the techniques here, even those students, will experience success in their work.
STEP TWO - Transferring the Artwork to the Art Board
STEP ONE - Sizing
the Design
Select a design that consists of only one color. It should be no larger than 6" x
8". This design can come from just about anywhere. If you need to, copy something off
of the Internet. Remember, copyright infringement is against the law. Another artist's
work may be copied for this assignment, but it can be used only for instructional
purposes. Any attempt to sell or profit from another person's artwork or design, is a
violation of Federal Copyright Law!
If the design is too large, it must be reduced in size. Use a copy machine or software to resize the design until it is smaller than 6" x 8". This copy may then be used for step two.
If the design is too small, like a photograph or button, it must be enlarged. This may be accomplished by resizing the art by scanning and using special software. Another option is to use an illustration aid, such as a projector. The most popular type of projector is an "opaque projector". This illustration aid is used by sign painters and artists to enlarge images quickly and easily. The original art is placed in the projector, and projected onto a larger piece of paper or art board.
STEP TWO - Transferring the Artwork to the Art Board
Once the design is resized, the artwork needs to be transferred to an appropriate surface for inking. The artist should use a hot press illustration board, or a good quality plate finish bristol board. This will provide a smooth surface for accepting ink media. Since these types of art boards are opaque (you can't see through them) it is not possible to trace the image onto the surface of the board. Therefore, the artist must use a different method of transferring the design.
If the design is already the appropriate size, the artist can transfer the image using a commercially available transfer paper. It is similar to the old carbon paper used on typewriters. If that is not available, a sheet may be easily created by rubbing a soft graphite pencil onto the surface of the paper. Place the image on top of the transfer paper. Tape the two pieces to the art board. Then trace over the design. The tracing will transfer a light graphite pencil image onto the surface of the board. This will allow you to follow the lines when inking.
If the design is small and has to be enlarged, the image may be projected directly onto the surface of the board using an opaque projector. The artist will use a pencil to trace a copy of the image while it is being projected.
Both of the above techniques will be demonstrated to you in class. You will need to
determine which method is best for your design. Once you have accomplished transferring
the image, it is now time to ink it.
In the old days, the only acceptable way to ink a design was to use india ink and specialized tools. Many artists today rely on markers and disposable ink media to create camera ready art. In the past, students in this program used technical pens, Speedball pens and sable brushes to ink their work. This year, students will be using a combination of disposable markers and tech pens to ink their work. The only criteria to be sure that your design is reproducible, is to be certain to use the most intense, black ink markers that you can purchase. Disposable tech pens should be used for fine line work and stipple. Medium markers may be used for small areas that need filling in. Larger markers should be used for large areas, or india ink and a red sable brush may be used.
Regardless of the type of inking tool used, the artist must be extremely careful, when removing graphite lines with an eraser. Even though the design is finished, it may not be completely dry. Use care when doing your final erasing.
After reading this material, you will be given a demonstration to help you begin your project. Follow instructions carefully, and you will find that the work will go much easier. REMEMBER, YOU WILL BE TESTED ON THIS MATERIAL. Review it in preparation for testing.