Need some t-shirts for your next outing, or simply have a witty slogan that you want to put on one? Good news – making a customised t-shirt is not as hard (or expensive) as you may think. Using the relatively simple method of screen-printing, you can get your own custom t-shirt!
Here’s the step-by-step on how to make a DIY custom t-shirt, as explained by Bob on I Like to Make Stuff.
Things you’ll need:
- Photo emulsion kit
- Screen-printing ink (colour of your choice)
- Squeegee
- Screen and frame (available as a package in stores)
- T-shirt(s)
- A piece of glass (in a similar size to your screen)
- Scotch tapes
Method:
- Print out your custom design/artwork on transparency. This could be done in your nearest copy centres. Set aside.
- Open the emulsion kit, containing emulsion and sensitizer. Mix the two according to the instructions on the bottle.
- Pour a small amount of the mixture on the screen. Spread it thinly and evenly on the screen with a squeegee.
- Dry the screen in a pitch black room for around two hours. To help it dry faster, you can also use a fan.
- Put your design/artwork backwards on the back of the screen. Tape the transparency and top it with a piece of glass. Let it sit under a very bright light for 15-45 minutes.
- Remove the transparency. Spray the screen with water to wash out the emulsion.
- Put your t-shirt on a flat surface and make sure it doesn’t wrinkle. Place your design screen on top of the t-shirt. Put a thick dollop of screen-printing ink on the design, and spread it out with the squeegee.
- Remove the screen, and you have your custom t-shirt! If you want the image print to be more long-lasting, heat it up in the dryer for 5 minutes.
Tips:
- Clean your screen afterwards with the emulsion remover.
- Choose an ink colour that contrasts your t-shirt.