What material for screens?,

[Lenono17]

I'm confused on what material to use for the screen. What kind of fabric is good and found in a fabric store? Thanks

[Frog]

I'm confused on what material to use for the screen. What kind of fabric is good and found in a fabric store? Thanks

Yes you are!
Although this is the newbie section, we won't let you take that far of a step backwards. You need to buy a commercially made screen or better yet, an assortment of the different meshes you will require for different inks, as Dewey asked in the first place.

Tell us a bit about the rest of what you have going and need, and we will be able to better assist you.

[Lenono17]

Well I bought a speedball kit and it worked fine but I left the emulsion in too long and it's permanent now. So I need to buy another screen but dont know what to look for

[Lenono17]

And I'm just doing some personal home made stuff so I'm looking to do it on the cheap. I just want to find a way to make a new screen without spending too much

[Frog]

Well, to hold up to photo emulsion reclaim, you need a polyester mesh designed for screen printing, and not available at fabric stores (at least not if you wish to reclaim it this time.)

Getting a piece just the size you wish from bolt mesh may be difficult. Perhaps, Speedball lists new panels.
Otherwise, a real screen, of commercial quality usually 20x24 runs about $20.

For paper and knife cut stencils, (or permanent emulsion stencils), in the old days, organdy was the seat-of-the-pants fabric store material of choice, but does not hold up to the new (forty years ago) photo emulsions when reclaimed.

Many printers start with the Speedball kit, but soon feel handcuffed as it is very limited.
Though twice the cost of a screen, you may want to look into this book, as it was the :Bible" for many successful printers back when they first started. It will give you a lot of insight into the process, and may also be available at your library.

[Lenono17]

Thank you very much for the help. I guess the speedball kit is sort of a teaser. Thanks again

[Frog]

Don't look at it as just a teaser, but rather a real first step. Now, take the plunge! Unlike the situation for us old timers, you have a wealth of knowledge available here and places like this to help you start your journey.

[Lenono17]

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm going to pick up that book and keep going!