DIY Screenprint Mesh Replacement

The following is an instructional on how to replace screen mesh in a wooden screenprinting frame. I Googled this (because I Google eevvvvverything!) for a tutorial the other day, but came up with nothing. Perhaps because it's so damn easy, that no one considered showing you how to do it. Alas, here is my tutorial...enjoy.

Begin by carefully pulling the piping out of the wooden frame.

The old screen mesh is removed and your piping is ready to reinstall with new mesh.

Lay the screen on top of the new screen mesh. I got my roll of mesh from Dick Blick for about $20. This is great because I can re-screen many frames for a fraction of the cost...easy and highly recommended.

Leave about an inch around all sides, cutting the mesh to size. It doesn't have to be neat or perfect. You'll be mashing it in the groove and trimming it all up later. Just cut the mesh bigger than the screen...bam, done.

Flip your screen over so that the groove is visible and ready to accept the new mesh. Make sure the mesh is centered over the screen with enough overlap on all sides. I used a putty knife to get it in the groove because that was the first thing I found, and didn't feel like digging for something suitable. I'd recommend something that isn't as sharp as you want this piping to last. 

Start at one corner, gently pushing in the piping into the groove along one of the edges. You don't have to be super anal or worry about stretching at this point. Just get it in the groove and keep going down one side.

Work your way around the entire screen, working back towards your starting point. It takes a little bit of coordination, but you'll be surprised how it tightens up without much effort. Towards the last two sides, I started putting some tension on the mesh to get it tight. Not sure that was even necessary though...it seemed to just tighten up on it's own.

Boing! Tight as a drum.

Make sure all your piping is crammed down in the grooves...almost done.

Next, trim the extra screen mesh. Please do a better job than this.  : )

That's it, you're done! Ready for some new prints.

Studio Wish List - Spaces and Things

1.) Richeson Baby-Press
2.) Vintage Heidelberg Windmill letterpress machine

3.) Chandler & Price letterpress machine

4.) Modern home / studio

5.) Detached modern studio / office

6.) Art studio with storage / organization

7.) Vintage industrial flat file

8.) Herman Miller Aeron chair (kick myself for selling mine!)

9.) Another detached modern studio / office

10.) The ultimate dream: A renovated industrial building for live / work space

For the chefs! Kitchenaid block print

A new series featuring the almighty Kitchenaid mixer! 

A variety of colors will be available to match your mixer's color. 

Would look great hanging in the kitchen near your mixer. 

Happy baking!!!

Updated CIB Linocut

Updated my Coffee In Bed block print. I've learned how to use the negative spaces and leave some ridges for ink to get on, giving it that cool linocutiness look. Also being very precise with that #1 lino cutter gives me some great lines.

My updated block print inspired some new business card designs. Love these colors together! I was stumped on my color palette and tried tons of variations. I googled "modern color palette", did some tweaking and came up with this.

With clouds maybe?

A look around

In hopes of having an interesting blog someday, I thought I'd start with some things around our home. We're currently remodeling and building our "nest", so there's lots going on here lately. We're getting a little stir crazy too I think. Exhilarating, I know...but I gotta' start blogging about something.

I follow some interesting bloggers (Manhattan Nest, Funnelcloud, BrickHouse, Hindsvik, Jason Hudson, The Exceptional Man, etc.) that inspire, humor and educate me on a daily basis.  I like their art, design and style, so that makes a lot of what they experience in their everyday life interesting to me.

In addition to posting new prints and designs that I come up with, I'm making an effort to post observations and experiences in my life that will hopefully be fun and entertaining to look at. And pictures, lots of pictures. (Hello new IPhone! YESSSSSS) 

That's me.

Our cute little bungalow with a gigantic magnolia tree that craps

beautiful seed pods all over the yard...all year long. I still need to climb that tree.

Our truck "Sparky" is an oldie, but a goodie. Replacing it soon with a more 

baby-friendly mode of transport. We will miss you Sparky and you are awesome.

Our neighborhood is a convenient walk to restaurants, bars, groceries and just about everything. Walking the dogs sucks though because there are busy roads surrounding the whole neighborhood. No fun.

One of the "finished" rooms in the house. Love it. More work to do on that. See Heather's blog on our interior makeover here. 

Dead plants you say? Just showing off my upcycled green alligator planter.

Hello Henry. 

Best dog EVER! (except for nabbing the pate from our plate last night)

This is Avery... wily, elusive and loves snuggling with Heather. 

Basement man-cave / art studio / vintage furniture repair & storage / home to mice

Yes, a horrible pretty mess, but it'll do. Watch your head!

Printmaking station. Set up for all the lino-cutting, inking, paper-tearing and pressing. Soon to add screen printing and a roller-press is on my wish list.

Handmade photo backdrop for my Etsy shop....works great!

Recent prints drying on vintage table in need of restoration.

I love my vintage silver platter for rolling ink.

My beautiful and talented wife.