In this episode of “What’s Cooking at Craft Alliance,” we are joined by Morgan Laughlin, our Development & Special Projects Coordinator. While Morgan usually focuses on the vital work of supporting our organization’s growth and special initiatives, she is also right at home in the studio. Today, she is taking us behind the scenes to demonstrate the screen printing process on a fresh batch of our Stella Creative Critter totes.
These 100% cotton totes are made right here and sold exclusively in the Craft Alliance shop. But how exactly does that vibrant pink design get onto the fabric? Morgan walks us through the fascinating process.
Setting the Stage
The process begins with precision. Morgan uses a printed acetate guide that acts like a “little window,” ensuring the design lands exactly where it needs to be on the tote.
For this project, the “substrate” (the material being printed on) is 100% cotton. The material dictates the chemistry; because we are working with cotton, Morgan uses a specific fabric ink to ensure it sets correctly.
The Mechanics of Screen Printing
If you’ve never seen it done, screen printing is essentially a relief process using a tightly stretched silk screen. You can think of the screen as a large filter in the shape of your design. The ink is forced through the open mesh of the design, while the solid ground of the screen stops the ink from going anywhere else.
Accounting for the “Tooth”
Fabric isn’t as flat as paper. As Morgan explains, cotton has a bit of “tooth” or texture. To get a solid, crisp image, she applies the design twice. Between the first and second pull, she floods the screen again to keep the design from drying out and getting “crusty”.
The Final Look
For these Stella Creative Critter totes, we weren’t looking for a heavy, plasticky feel. Morgan used a mix that includes a 50% transparency base. This results in a print that is a little bit lighter and more subtle, perfect for the aesthetic of the bag.
Want to grab one of these hand-printed totes for yourself? Stop by the shop at Craft Alliance to see the finished product!