The number one thing i'll point out is that this is something you can do with a relatively minimal amount of equipment. here's what i had when i started out: 1 really old screen that i found in a box shomewhere; a portable clamp on light; a 300 watt light bulb; the basic chemical kit that everybody uses (dazo speedball or something like that - any reputable art store should be able to help you get it), a squeegie; and a toothbrush. a couple of further notes on this setup: if you were a pro or want to go all out or read the intructions that come with the kit, it will tell you you need a special full spectrum screenprinting-specific light bulb - you don't actually need this. i've used 250 watts before - it's ok. 300 watts does just fine. blabh blah, also, don't use a toothbrush, get the actual screen printing brush - it's much better (larger, stiffer).
Ok, so the first thing to do is come up with yer design, and then have it printed out on a transparency, or just draw it on the transperancy yourself. next, mix up the photo emulsion and, in a dark room, spread it onto the screen. point a fan at the screen, and let the screen dry out as long as you have patience to wait - hopefully a number of hours, say 4 to 6 or so. now, place your transparency on your screen. next, using carefull, scienctificly determined calculations (read horrible painstaking trial and error) determine the position of your light. then, using the same scientific method, turn the light on and expose the screen for your carefully determined amount of time. it is worth mentioning at this point that for a person new to this craft, there is the verry real, if not definate, likelyhood that after waiting hours and coming so far, you will discover that the light was not placed right or the exposure time was wrong, and you will have to wash the screen out and start all over. if all goes according to plan, however, after exposing the screen you will rinse it with cold water, and be left with a negative image which will work like a stencil through which the ink will be screened - see picture 2 for how your screen may look at this point.
this is the really fun part of the project, and when all your hard work on preparing the screen pays off - now you are ready to print your design. this part is all about the art of aplication and developing a good feel for how to screen different materials - try it and figure it out. if you are screenprinting on to fabric, make sure you throw your goods in the drier for a little bit to cure them after they air dry for a day or so.
anyway, also keep in mind the fact that my main man ralph nader did an still is making the world safer. peace
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