Screen printing on clothing and even other home decorations made from various types of fabrics such as curtains and pillowcases is a fun and artistic way to showcase your creative side. And over the years, screen printing has become more than just a pastime for do-it-yourselfers or hobbyists – screen printing actually turned into a source of income for many.
While screen printing on assorted fabrics is common, numerous crafters also succeeded in screen printing on other sturdier materials primarily designed to serve as home decorations – like screen printing on wood.
Screen printing different designs on wood such as text, or even detailed stencil images would give you rustic, homey decorations you can hang on your walls; and just like screen printing on t-shirts, screen printing on wood can be a good business.
Choosing the Wood for Screen Printing
The outcome of your screen print on wood could be greatly affected by your choice of wood. You may use either untreated/raw wood or treated/coated wood.
If the wood you would be using is raw or has no coating on it, the screen printed ink has higher chances of seeping into the wood surface itself and, naturally, you would want that if you wish for the print to stick. But the downside of using an untreated wood is that it can lead to the ink bleeding into the surface too much that the edges of the design may not be as clean and fine as you wanted the design to be. Although, this could work to your advantage if that’s the look you are aiming for.
While you can go for treated wood, you might want to refrain from purchasing wood that already has a thick layer of lacquer, varnish, shellac, polyurethane, or other wood treatment applied to it to make sure that the design you would print would stay put.
If you are planning to print a highly detailed graphic design, a smoother, finer wood surface may be necessary.
Generally, getting a Grade A plywood would be a wise move if you are aiming for a smoother surface or a better quality. However, if you want your overall design to have a rustic, more natural look, you can go for other, more coarse-looking wood type, just make sure that the surface is flat. It would also be ideal if the wood itself has a fine or clear grain – to ensure that your design could easily be seen.
Birch plywood is light in color and would be your best bet for your intricate or detailed design to be clearly visible on the wood surface.
Alternatively, you can purchase unfinished wood panels from various stores, even online.
Preparing the Wood
Sanding or the use of sandpaper to smooth out the surface of the wood where you would want the design to be printed on is a known technique used by many to improve the quality of the appearance of the finished print.
Some simply use the sandpaper up to 120 or 150 grit to achieve a kind of a rough surface that would have the screen printed ink later on. But if you want a smoother finish on the surface and wish to have a crisp, cleaner edge on the printed image, you can sand up to 400 grit.
Don’t forget to get rid of any sand or residue before you actually proceed to screen printing. Sand or any other particle that’s left on your wooden surface can mess up with your design.
On the other hand, if you are not a fan of sanding, you can apply a sealant over the wood itself for a smoother, glossier finish.
You may also apply paint on the wood surface if you want it to have a different color, as long as you also use screen printing ink for painting.
Types of Ink that May Be Used to Screen Print on Wood
Water based screen printing ink – According to numerous pros who have experienced screen printing on wood, water-based ink is the best choice. Water-based inks from Nazdar, Matsui, Ryonet, and Permaset Aqua SuperCover are some of the top choices of these experts in wood screen printing business. Keep in mind, though, that water-based inks should only be applied to untreated wood – that is, no coating of any kind.
Solvent-based ink – Another option for screen printing ink for wooden surfaces is solvent based ink. Nazdar, Proell, and Eptanova are just some of the brands for solvent-based inks used by many people who have tried screen printing on wood.
One common choice for those who have printed on wood is the Nazdar All Purpose ink. This brand is said to have delivered excellent prints on wood, according to many. Speedball Acrylic Screen Printing Ink, even though the brand is more commonly promoted to be used on fabrics, will work excellently on wood too.
In choosing ink for printing on wood, one popular belief is that plastisol inks are not to be used. However, numerous people have tried it and reported that plastisol inks work perfectly well, just remember that the ink needs to dry properly and that it needs to be protected with a transparent coating afterward. In short, in using plastisol ink, extra care would be necessary.
Choice of Mesh
Just like your preferred wood type, your choice of mesh screen size will have an impact on the outcome of the print. If you are printing a design with fine details, the higher the mesh size, the better. However, if your design is mainly composed of texts or images and you would want to attain a vintage look, you can go for a lower mesh size.
Steps on How To Do Screen Printing On Wood
Things you will need:
• Screen printing ink
• Wood
• Mesh screen
• Hinge clamp (or someone to help you)
• Squeegee
• Flash dryer or conveyor dryer
Now, on to the steps:
1. Once you have prepared your wood, chosen your design as well as your ink, you would have to lay down the wood you would print on on a flat, steady, sturdy surface.
2. Then, put the mesh screen (with the design of your choice) on top of the wood surface.
3. Apply the ink directly on the mesh screen.
4. With the use of a squeegee, spread the ink evenly on the design. If you are screen printing on rough wood, you might need to spread the ink more than once (multiple coatings) to ensure that enough ink would be smeared on the surface. It is important that you make sure that the mesh would not move while you are spreading the ink – so a hinge clamp will come in handy, or you can call someone for help in holding the mesh screen steadily as you do the coating.
5. Lift the mesh screen and be careful not to drag it on the wood to avoid unpleasant stains on it.
6. Cure the ink with the use of a flash dryer, conveyor dryer, or even by letting it air dry naturally – but it might take a few days for it to completely dry, depending on the ink as well as the size of the print if you prefer to air dry it.
Drying the Ink
If you are planning to air dry, take note that some ink brands may take longer to dry. Plastisol inks, for instance, can take up to a week to dry. The time it will take for the print to be completely dry will really depend on the climate in your location as well as the ventilation the print gets.
Also, watch out for UV inks if you are still experimenting and trying different ink types. UV ink calls for a specialized UV Dryer for it to dry.
Applying Additional Protection
Once your screen printed design is completely dry, you might want to apply a top coat to protect it from being washed out or being damaged.
Ideal top coats for screen printed wood designs include clear polyurethane. There are also water based polyurethane brands available in the market. Water-based polyurethane is preferred by many because it doesn’t have a toxic odor when applied.
UV resistant top coats are also a popular choice because of the excellent protection different brands can offer. Aside from protection from UV light, various brands also offer protection from scratch, friction, weather, water, and there are even brands that make the wood resistant to fire.
Varnish is another popular choice for a topcoat. Aside from providing additional protection to the print on wood, it is also known to be resistant to UV light and could add a pop of color to the wood. Varnish adds a glossy finish although the wood would need re-coating after a period of time. Today, there are numerous variants of varnish to even upgrade your design; items such as glitter varnish are even being sold at different stores.
When it comes to coating wood that would not be exposed to heat, shellac is also a good choice. Shellac is primarily made from natural materials and has water-resistant properties. It will give the wood an amber hue after application. Wood painted with shellac, though, will need re-coating over time, just like varnish.
Having better durability than shellac, lacquer is also a well-known, effective top coat for screen printed wood. Lacquer can have a matte or glossy finish and can come in various shades. Like many other top coats, lacquer can resist water.
Some of the protective coatings may be applied using a paintbrush, while others may be applied using a spray. Don’t forget to protect your screen printed design to make sure that your craft will last for a long time.