PREPARATION

Quick note about these. You can not use the emulsion technique with this curved screen. Do some research on "Drawing Fluid" for more information on the alternate technique.

Gather the materials called for in the material list to your right. The wood and hinges should easily be found at most home improvement stores such as Lowe's, Home Depot or Menard's

The actual silk screen material and other supplies used for screening the skateboard can be found at local hobby stores like Michaels, Hobby lobby, etc... Also take a look at online stores such as Blick Art Materials for a larger selection.

This set of plans covers how to make a silk screen press for skateboards, not how to do the silk screening itself. I will cover silk screening and graphics in a separate set of articles later.

PRINTING - HOW TO MAKE A SILK SCREEN

Start by printing out these four pdf drawings for the sides of the press.

Make sure these drawings are printed to scale, filling up four an 8 1/2" x 11" sheets of paper. I have included a 2" logo on these drawings which you can measure to check scale.

FRAME SIDES

Trace, or spray adhesive the printed drawings onto the 3/4" thick wood for the sides.

Once traced, cut them out and set them aside. You will need two sides for this silk screen press.

FRAME ENDS

Now cut the three pieces of 3/4" thick wood to 1' x 2" for the ends.

BASE ASSEMBLY

Cut a piece of 3/4" wood to 1'-1 x 3'-1 for the base.

Place one of the previously cut 1' x 2" ends on the base 1/2" in on the sides and end as shown below. Use 1 1/4" screws and wood glue to attach it to the base and set it aside for now.

FRAME ASSEMBLY

Using the remaining two ends, attach them to each side with 1 1/4" screws (two per connection) and a bit of wood glue. Pre-drill the screw hole locations with a 1/16" drill bit to avoid splitting.


When assembling the frame, it's a good idea to construct it on a level surface. Making it easier to keep it square, which is essential to a good screen press.

STRETCHING THE FABRIC

After the frame has been assembled, you can stretch the silk screen fabric over it. You can use hot melt glue or staples and a staple gun to attach the fabric to the frame. If you choose staples, you will need to reinforce the fabric by covering the edges with duct tape and folding it over, leaving about 3/4" to staple through. This keeps the fabric from ripping.

To stretch the fabric, start at one end and secure it to the frame, then work your way down the sides until you reach the other end and attach it there as well. Your goal is to stretch the fabric as tight as possible onto the frame without causing it to tear.

Stretching the silk screen fabric material as tight as possible allows the fabric to remove cleanly (pop) from the skateboard deck once the ink has been spread onto the deck. Creating the cleanest image possible. You also want to make sure you have no ripples or kinks in the fabric and the frame is level and square or it will ruin the artwork.

I have also attached fabric starting from the center of a frame and worked my way out from there. I don't know if this technique will work with this kind of press though - experiment!

HINGE ASSEMBLY

Once you have the frame assembled and the third end attached to the base, place two hinges about 6 inches apart on the top of the end attached to the base, centered.

You can use a variety of hinges here, although there are specific hinges made for silk screen presses which can lock the frame in place and also allow quick removal of the frame. Something to look into if you're going to be using your silk screen press often.

These hinges may be obtained at the previously mentioned art supply stores.

HINGE ASSEMBLY CONTINUED

Place the previously completed silk screen press frame onto the base and make sure the hinges line up perfectly, then attach them to the frame, then to each other.

Test out the frame to be sure it swings freely without resistance.

DECK GUIDES

In order for the silk screen press to work effectively, you will need a way of keeping the deck securely in place while applying the ink.

That's where these deck guides come into play. Make two of these little squares by cutting a piece of 3/4" wood to the size shown above and placing two 3/16" dowel rods into the holes drilled.

Once assembled, place a deck onto the base of your new silk screen press and line up the dowel rods with the truck holes in the skateboard deck. Mark the location with a sharpie or pencil and attach them to the base with 1 1/4" screws. Be sure to double check each one after attaching them so they line up.

If done properly, these will hold the deck securely in place while printing the graphics.

FINISHED

Add a little wooden kickstand that's about a foot long in the center of the press to hold it up while removing the decks and you are done.