Practice Print is the partner screen-printing studio of Secret Riso Club.
We work with artists, organizations and small businesses to ensure accessible
printing & a personal approach.
Practice Print is run by Tara Ridgedell, an artist and educator from Atlanta and currently based in New York.
For quotes or inquiries, email: practiceprint.nyc@gmail.com
What is screen-printing?
Screen-printing (also known as silkscreen) is a centuries old printing technique that involves pushing ink through mesh to create a reproducible image. At Practice Print, we use light sensitive emulsion on screens that are exposed to a bright light with an image printed on film in between. Any gradients or shading in an image is achieved by converting an image to halftone dots - tiny dots that simulate different shades of a color. We then wash out the part of the screen that we want to print and are left with a stencil. Each color in an image is burned onto a separate screen. Once screens are ready to go, each color layer is printed by hand by pushing ink through the mesh using a squeegee.
Screen-printing (also known as silkscreen) is a centuries old printing technique that involves pushing ink through mesh to create a reproducible image. At Practice Print, we use light sensitive emulsion on screens that are exposed to a bright light with an image printed on film in between. Any gradients or shading in an image is achieved by converting an image to halftone dots - tiny dots that simulate different shades of a color. We then wash out the part of the screen that we want to print and are left with a stencil. Each color in an image is burned onto a separate screen. Once screens are ready to go, each color layer is printed by hand by pushing ink through the mesh using a squeegee.
Process:
- Separate colors into individual images and shading into halftones on the computer.
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Print each layer on transparent film.
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Burn each layer into a separate screen, rinse out the negative area to create a stencil.Register (or align) the screens on a printing press.
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Print each layer (at Practice Print, we can do up to 4 on fabric and more on paper) one at a time.
- Dry the print and enjoy!
What is screen-printing best for?
The great thing about screen printing is that you can print almost anywhere! T-shirts, tote bags, and paper are the most common to print on - but don’t be confined to that. Because screen-printing uses paint-like ink, you can print light colors on dark materials.
We love printing on pre-loved garments! It’s a great way to create unique garments while not adding to textile waste.
The great thing about screen printing is that you can print almost anywhere! T-shirts, tote bags, and paper are the most common to print on - but don’t be confined to that. Because screen-printing uses paint-like ink, you can print light colors on dark materials.
We love printing on pre-loved garments! It’s a great way to create unique garments while not adding to textile waste.
︎︎︎REFRAMING THE FUTURE / PHOTOS BY VANESSA GRANDA︎︎︎
