DIY Network

Silk Screening on the Glass Tabletop Learn how to silk screen actual ink onto glass. From "Freeform Furniture" episode DFFF-205

Host Amy Devers continues the nightstand project by screening ink onto the glass. She starts by taping the edges of the glass, then uses phosphorescent ink to give the image a glowing effect.

She uses a squeegee to apply the ink to the image, lifts the glass and allows the ink to dry.

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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 screens the ink onto the nightstand 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

Screening Ink Onto Glass

1. Tape the edges because that will help you guide where the image goes. Slide it over onto the paper and then position the screen on there just where you want it. Line up the image so that it looks nice right within the blue frame (figure A).

   Note: Be sure to clean the glass first with a de-greasing soap.

2. Clamp it carefully in place so it doesn't move around on you while screening.

3. In order to get the cherry blossoms to glow like a nightlight after the lights are turned off, use phosphorescent ink.

4. Put a puddle down on one end of the screen all the way across. Take the squeegee, which is basically a strip of rubber inside a wooden handle, and drag the ink over the image (figure B).

5. Make a few passes to make sure you get everything covered.

6. Take one final pass and try not to leave any streaks on the image when you do. It will be kind of squiggly.

7. Lift up the glass and there it is!

8. Let it dry for a few minutes before moving onto the next color. Rinse out your screen before the ink dries and ruins it.

9. After the first color of paint dries, grab a soft bristle brush and dip it into some pink phosphorescent paint and use a circle template to make the circular shapes that you need for the flowers (figure C).

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