Go Forth & Print

On the last weekend of January 2016, myself and Graham 'Army of Cats' Pilling returned to deliver our biannual 'Screen-Printed Posters' course at West Yorkshire Print Workshop.

As always it was great to hang out with Graham and of course meet the 6 students, upon whom we would dispel the myths of screen-printing, teach them some new tricks and generally have a bit of fun across the two day course.

The course is designed to give absolutely anybody a basic introduction to the skills and techniques required for screen-printing. Across the first day, the students are taught how to prepare a screen and then print a two-colour poster, which they are able to take home at the end of the weekend - a kind of certificate if you will.

The students are shown how to print using just the squeegee and their upper limbs (arms), as well as having a go at operating the screen-bed arm.

Having completed printing on day one, the students are shown how to separate layers and prepare files suitable for the screen-printing process by Graham using Photoshop. This is always a popular part of the course, as Graham offers his hints and tips and happily discusses the process of preparing for screen-printing.

The next day allows the students to print their own 2-colour poster, which they have prepared, rounding off a superb weekend of skill sharing and teamwork. Marvellous.

So if that's whet your appetite for the more physical process of printing, then Graham and myself will be returning to WYPW across the weekend of 25th and 26th of June 2016 for another instalment of 'Screen-Printed Posters', which you can book here. I hope you can join us!

Screen Print Workshop at WYPW

Graham 'Army of Cats' Pilling and myself have been screen-printing since 2005 and 2006 respectively. In fact, we first bonded over our love for the medium and Graham was the printing Overlord who showed me the righteous path and I have never once looked back.

Since 2011, we have kindly been asked back on a twice yearly basis by the West Yorkshire Print Workshop to run a screen-printing workshop based around the printed poster.

Every session has been highly sought after and sold out way in advance - must have something to do with the charming hosts... And every workshop has been a great deal of fun for myself and Graham, as well as all the students who graduate (with honours) into the wide world of screen-printing.

Here is a quick overview from this years event, which took place on the schizophrenic weather weekend of the 8th and 9th of February.

Graham doing a spot of quality control.

The first day of the workshop gives learners the skills and know-how of how to print. And so every student is given the opportunity to screen-print their own certificate (shown below) as designed by Graham.

The second day is dedicated to the printing of each student's designs and everybody gets the opportunity to print their own 2-colour design to take home. Don't worry, we're here to help throughout this process...

There will no doubt be another workshop this year, although it hasn't been announced yet. If you think this is something you'd fancy - and let's face it, of course it is - then feel free to drop West Yorkshire Print Worskhop a line at 01924 497646 or email @wypw.org and they'll be happy to help you out.

Go Forth and Print

Due to popular demand following last year's workshop that Graham 'Army of Cats' Pilling and I ran, we returned to the West Yorkshire Print Workshop to conduct another course based on the screen-printed gig poster.

The course took place over two consecutive days at the WYPW in Mirfield and included details on how to best design for the screen-printing medium, tips on specific printing techniques and industry knowledge and experience about working in the screen-printing field.

The six patrons who attended got to print a poster (designed by Graham - as modelled by me above) on the first day and learn about the process. Day two involved the attendees printing their own designs which they brought and with mine and Graham's help, were able to develop into an appropriate print. This would then be printed across the day and the results available to take home.

I was able to document the first day of the course, which involved the teachings of the process and hands on practise for all those who attended.

Here is Graham, debriefing the students whilst discussing the science of effective paint mixing.

Showing the course how to print, manually using a squeegee.

Here are some photos of the group, printing the first colour of Graham's print.

The first colour is down and the group have done a great job.

Here are pictures of the group printing the second colour.

The prints are complete and drying on the rack.

Here Graham is illustrating to the class various techniques that can be applied in Photoshop in how to make a suitable file for the screen-print process.

Graham, the illuminating beacon of screen-printing knowledge!

And here is Graham, modelling his wonderfully designed print.

If you like the look of this course and fancy enrolling for a weekend of screen-printing with two industry professionals, then get in touch with WYPW [ info@wypw.org ] and demand us! Oh and there will be banter and hilarious anecdotes, guaranteed!