DIY Network

Silk Screen for Glass Tabletop Learn how to create a silk screen for a glass tabletop. From "Freeform Furniture" episode DFFF-205

Host Amy Devers gets started on the silk screen for the glass tabletop. She uses a pattern, traces it onto the screen and uses a solvent to release the lacquer onto the silk.

Once the pattern has been transferred onto the tabletop, Amy uses nail polish to repair any areas that did not come out perfectly.

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	Amy creates this unique nightstand a small girl would love in her room...
	with luminescent cherry blossoms that give a soft glow in the night.
	The previous nightstand—or lack thereof—just didn't cut the mustard.
	Amy continues the project by creating a silk screen for the glass tabletop.

Materials:

3/4" square steel tube
flat bar
long sleeves
ear plugs
face shield
stretchers
silkscreen
pattern
solvent
marker—fine tip
knife-cut stencil film
tape
ink
squeegee
cotton cloth
nail polish
paintbrush
foil tape
phosphorescent ink
1/4" glass
pink phosphorescent
powder coat
pink powder
table feet

Tools:

disc sander
C-clamps
weld
chop saw
80-grit grinding disc
90-degree hand clamp
filler rod
magnetic welding clamps
angle grinder
Exacto knife
circle template
electrostatic spray gun
walk-in curing oven

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

Silkscreen for Glass Tabletop

1. Normally, the first step in silk screening is making the actual silk screen—stretching the woven silk around the frame. Now, you can buy pre-made silk screens (figure A) in all shapes and sizes at your local art store.

2. So, the first step is to trace the image. Lay a sheet of film over the cherry blossom pattern and use a fine-tip marker to trace the flowers on the top green layer.

3. Once it is all traced out, carefully cut through the green layer on top, but do not cut so deep that you cut through the plastic sheet (figure B). Gently score the surface and trace the image in nice, smooth strokes.

4. Peel away the green layer in all the positive space of the image before you transfer this to the screen.

5. With surgical precision, carefully slice away sections of the lacquer until you have a stencil of your own image. Peel the top layer off. The second, bottom layer, should now start to reveal itself. Later on, you will use a special solvent to penetrate and dissolve the lacquer. This will transpose the floral pattern directly into the silk fibers and onto your screen.

6. Once the pattern is all cut out, you need to transfer it down to the silk screen, so lay it on with the lacquer side down towards the silk. With the plastic sheet up—center it—and just hold it in place with a little bit of tape.

7. Flip it over and use a soft, cotton cloth to rub some solvent onto that through the silk.

8. Douse your rag with solvent and carefully wipe it onto the knife-cut stencil film. Make sure you get it all carefully transferred. Before you start working with the ink, you need to protect the wood from all the moisture and ink by taping up the edges.

9. Start peeling and work in the direction of the movement of the pattern (figure C).

   Note: If there are any parts of your screen that don't come out just perfectly, you can repair them with a number of methods before you start screening. If there is an area that was supposed to be green and that was pulled up, you can just paint it in with nail polish and that is going to act the same as the green layer. It won't wash out with soap and water and so it will still be a barrier for the ink.

10. If there is any lacquer where there shouldn't be, you just dip a paintbrush in the solvent and go in and clean up those areas too.

11. Using foil tape, cut out four strips—one for each side, and wrap it around the frame (figure D). The tape will act as a barrier to prevent the ink from seeping into the wood and help you better line up the image so it is centered in the middle of the screen.

RESOURCES :

Festool
Website: www.festoolusa.com

Stanley Tools Product Group
Website: www.stanleytools.com

Lie-Nielsen Toolworks, Inc.
Website: www.lie-nielsen.com

Power Tools
Porter Cable Power Tools
Website: www.deltaportercable.com

Gladiator GarageWorks
Website: gladiatorgarageworks.com

Hand Tools
Garrett Wade Co., Inc.
Website: www.garrettwade.com

The Peck Tool Company
Website: www.pecktool.com

Biesemeyer
Website: www.biesemeyer.com

Saw Blades
Forrest Manufacturing Company
Website: www.vacupress.com

Jogensen Adjustable Clamp Company
Website: www.adjustableclamp.com

Adhesives, Abrasives and Safety Equipment
The 3M Company
Website: www.3m.com

Klein Tools
Website: www.kleintools.com

Power Tool Accessories
Woodcraft
Website: www.woodcraft.com

Ulmia GmbH
Website: www.ulmia.de

Shop Equipment
Eagle Manufacturing Company
Website: www.eagle-mfg.com

Delta Power Tools
Website: www.deltaportercable.com

WMH Tool Group
Website: www.whmtoolgroup.com

MacBeath Hardwood
Website: www.macbeath.com