03 November 2011

our creative space . . . 'DIY screen printing table & set up'

Greetings all,
Scratching for something creative to post today . . . seeing i'm not producing anything with my precious hands (awaiting carpal tunnel surgery) . . . i remembered that i never showed off my DIY screen printing table.
Before handsome soldier deployed to Afghanistan, he cleverly converted an old sunken-in-the-middle card table . . . into a portable surface for small screen printing projects.  I picked up a panel of masonite cut to size at the hardware store, then wadding & calico from my stash, layered upsidedown on the kitchen counter.
  
 Handsome soldier in action (man hands), any weapon will do - this is the fantastic staple gun he bought me last Christmas.  I was thrilled, love practical gifts.  Staple all the way around the edges, opposite sides in pairs, keeping it firm & tight.  The wadding & calico anchor the masonite in place, but you could tack the masonite to the edge of the card table first.
 Da dah, a flat clean surface for screen printing which you can move around & do lots of small projects in one session.  Then, just like an Ab Circle Pro, you can lay the table flat & slide away for easy storage!!
I neatened up the edges & performed a hospital corner or 4??
 I bought a small & a large screen, a scraper & 5 buckets of different coloured paint from local art supplies store (it's not a cheap hobby).  I used the CriCut machine to cut out some shapes directly onto acetate paper, laid out some calico to practise on & started mucking around, using the skills i learnt up in Brisbane mid year with Thea&Sami.  Thanks Thea!! 
 The children were having fun too, we weren't trying to be accurate, just playing.
 You can get pretty good, pretty quickly though.  
There you have it, grab an old card table (nowadays they are like $40 new) & repurpose it into your very own screen printing table.  Then you can make your own Tshirts or fun themed goodies for parties, or be more serious & fine tune your skills for a range of handmade products for sale.  I'm testing words & logos on calico bags, cushions & purses.  I'll get into this after my hands are fixed, or you'll know my products really are made with child labour!! 
Enjoy this week's Creative Space Invading, love Posie

25 comments:

Tanya said...

That's a great idea! I've always wanted to learn how to screen print so I might give something like this a try. Thanks for sharing :-). Hope your hands will be on the mend very soon. Xx

trudi@maudeandme said...

I am intrigued by the screen printing. Would love to have a go at it.

Felicity said...

Neato!

Can't wait to see what this little table mixed with your creativity produce....amazing stuff no doubt.

Happiest of happy days Lovely!

Leah said...

Nice table - I've tried screen printing with very unsatisfactory results, I'm thinking now maybe the base was too hard....

yardage girl said...

Excellent idea - a card table would be a great little printing space as it's already padded! Nice printing too!

Seaweed and Raine said...

Pretty darned cool! I really hope your hands get fixed soon - it must make EVERYTHING hard to do!

The Provincial Homemaker said...

What a clever work around. I was just looking for a card table this week for Ginger - I have a fabric cubby house my Mum made me as a child but I need to get a card table to set it up. You wouldn't believe how hard they are to find these days:)

Salley said...

FIngers crossed for you, Posie. Hope you have some "help" (slave) to get you through the op and after.

Jane said...

Sensational, Jennie! Thanks so much for sharing this. I'm so intrigued to see what you end up making. J x

polkadotpeticoat said...

Your amazing, miss tool belt Diva!!!

Privet and Holly said...

I've always been very
intrigued with screen
printing and I think it's
cool that you now have
an awesome table to
work on once your surgery
is behind you! I've been
through carpal tunnel and
I feel your pain : ( Good
thing you have four little
helpers during your recovery
period!

Happy November,
xx Suzanne

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

I highly recommend using the masonite board for a firm surface that won't dip in the middle (card tables are NOT that strong if you push in the centre, they're particle board rubbish & they can be lumpy, after 15 years!!) We used wadding + a double layer of calico, it was a fantastic even surface, love Posie

Thea said...

Great. Screen-printing is all skill and practice. I would be interested to see how the wadding holds up over time though. Our printing tablesa have a layer of thick, industrial felt. Have fun! x

tinajo said...

This looks so nice - great work! :-)

michelle said...

love the results of your work. i would love to have a go at screen printing someday. good luck with the surgery. that will put you out of action for a bit. i hope it goes well

Amy said...

Love it Posie!

Can't wait to see what you whip up when your hands are on the mend!

Leonie said...

argh!! saw one of those tables (in perfect condition) at the oppy today for $8 and didnt buy it (because I had too much else to carry lol)
Would love to try screen printing! It looks great.

Tiff said...

How awesome! Screen printing is on my 'want to one day' list! Those prints look fantastic! Clever you! X

Anonymous said...

Oh I love those prints! And you've bought back all the memories of growing up with a green card table that got used for all manner of things, but jigsaw puzzles were a favourite. I hope all goes well with the surgery. Am sure you'll be well looked after by that gorgeous family of yours. xx

Deborah said...

Great idea! haven't done screen printing since school many years ago!! it's great to have your own table at home :)

Bee happy x
Have a delicious day!

Anna Bartlett said...

Great idea! I've been dragging out the blanket and sheet to cover the kitchen bench, but this way you wouldn't even have to have a CLEAR bench (my main problem). When's that surgery, lovey? Are you going mad not using your hands?

Kelly @ Polkadot Lane said...

I've just been setting up my kitchen bench each time I want to screen print but this is definitely a better idea! Screen printing can be quite addictive dont you think? It looks like you (and your kids!) have been having some fun with it.

Calico Child said...

Hee, I wish I could have a go at screen printing I don't seem to have the energy to get organised.

I would really like to go & do a class with Thea maybe she would motivate me! You put me to shame Posie they are gorgeous looking forward to seeing your creations :))

Chicken Willow said...

How clever. xxx

Sarah said...

This is something I want to try. Am thinking of hinting screen printing tools for my christmas gift