Need to Register?

reid · October 15th, 2009

Hi all!
whats the best way to make large 18x24 stencils/transparencies without having to use a printer?.. Say if i were to draw it all up, in black and white, whats the easiest way to get it onto a screen??

im new to the whole printmaking thing...
any help would be great.

thanks!
-reid.

splathead · October 15th, 2009

If you use an opaque black pen, you could draw directly on the transparency. Not too many printers that size anyway.

The alternative is to have it done by someone (Like a Kinkos) who does have a printer that size.

JeridHill · October 16th, 2009

Without a printer:

1. Amberlith. It's a red film that you cut with a knife or vinyl plotter. Then you peel away what you don't want to print. If you don't have a printer, then I imagine you don't have a plotter. So the easiest way is to draw what you want to size, then put the amberlith over top of the image and start cutting the film. You can see through it. You won't want to cut too deep, just let the weight of a sharp exacto knife do the work for you.

2. Vinyl: Some people will cut vinyl in reverse and put it down on a screen without emulsion. If they use emulsion.

3. Painting: You can paint an image on an uncoated screen. What some people do is set their screen down on the drawn image and trace the image onto the screen. Then using a blockout or emulsion, they will paint what they don't want to print.

Celtic · October 16th, 2009

Just make sure that if you paint it directly on the film, that you use an acetate that's water media acceptive...you can find that through airbrush supplies.
Years back, I did some airbrush work, also pen and ink (with India ink) directly on acetate.
worked fine.
Or, yes, you can definitely use an opaque marker.

reid · October 16th, 2009

awesome, thanks.
Yeah, i think ill go the opaque pen route.. i dont have the patients to cut out every little detail!
thanks again for all the replies!
-reid.

Celtic · October 16th, 2009

Cool. Yeah, the opaque pen will work well for ya.
Then even come in fine, medium, and I think wide tips.
Yes, I agree....cutting out every detail would be a pain.

good luck to you

it'll work well

reid · October 17th, 2009

so how hard is it to find large sheets of transparent film? on a roll perhaps?... I havent really looked around yet..

Rusty44 · October 17th, 2009

What I've done to get large prints is to print the designs out in sections onto transparencies and using a clear tape, assemble them together.

Works perfect for me.

Sandra

Celtic · October 17th, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by reid


	so how hard is it to find large sheets of transparent film? on a roll perhaps?... I havent really looked around yet..

Actually, since you're not looking for film to go through your printer, I'd suggest getting it through someplace like Bear Air(Mass.), or Coast Airbrush (California) and get their water media reseptive acetate.
You can get sheets that are up to I dunno, 18 x 24 or so.
I think that size is around a buck.
Or, if you want to shop locally, go to an art store......call around.

reid · 4 Weeks Ago

excellent!
thanks for all the replies!
what type of opaque paint pens would you recommend? probably order something off the intronet, seeing how the art supply stores in town are pretty limited.. Most of the ones ive been checking out are just for transparencies, and aren't dark enough...

splathead · 4 Weeks Ago

Something like this Black Opaque Pen - Medium Broad Tip

RichardGreaves · 4 Weeks Ago

Unfortunately, because of diminishing demand, Ulano stopped making Amberlith at the end of 2007. Ask for Rubylith masking film.

Need to Register?

Resources

T-Shirt Sites

How to make transparencies WITHOUT a printer??