The Textile Artist's Studio Handbook

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(Fogra 39) Job:02-28051 Title:RP-Textile Artist Handbook

03-C66286 #175 DTP:225 Page:114

104-121_C66286.indd 114 3/27/12 8:58 AM

(RAY)

(Fogra 39) Job:02-28051 Title:RP-Textile Artist Handbook

#175 DTP:225 Page:115

104-121_28051.indd 115 3/6/12 8:51 PM

(Text)

THE T E X T ILE ART IST 'S STUDIO HANDBOOK

114

P RINT ING

PROJECT:

tools

• Paintbrush

• Drill to fit 2" (5.1 cm) flat head screws

• 2" (5.1 cm) flat head screws

• Several bolts, nuts, 1" (2.5 cm) washers, grip

washers

• Wrench

• Surge protector

• On/off switch

• 2" (5.1 cm) white gaffers tape

• Strong, double-sided adhesive tape

• Pencil

• Wood glue, optional

• Wood putty, optional

materials

• 1 piece of ply wood cut to 30" x 24"

76.2 cm x 61 cm)

• 2 pieces of 1 x 8" plywood, cut to 30"

(76.2 cm) long

• 2 pieces of 1 x 8" plywood, cut to 22"

(55.9 cm) long

• 1 piece of 30" x 24" (76.2 x 61 cm) glass,

with no UV filter

• Fluorescent lighting fixtures with exposed,

not covered bulbs (we used two 24" [61 cm]

long units, with two light bulbs) Note: If you are

inexperienced with wiring, seek help from someone

more knowledgable.

• 4 Fluorescent light bulbs, with no UV filter

(appropriate wattage for purchased fixtures)

• Small container of white paint (enough to paint

the inside of the box)

• Thick, small furniture pads (for the bottom of

the finished unit)

How to Make

a Light Box

If you are excited to begin screen printing and plan

to use the photo emulsion method (see chapter 6),

you can make a light box to expose your screens.

It is also handy for tracing imagery onto fabric

for embroidery. A homemade light box can be as

small as you would like for storage purposes, and

it’s easy on the wallet.

This light box measures 30" x 24" (76.2 x 61 cm),

large enough to accommodate many screen sizes

but small enough to store easily.

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(Fogra 39) Job:02-28051 Title:RP-Textile Artist Handbook

#175 DTP:225 Page:114

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THE T E X T ILE ART IST 'S STUDIO HANDBOOK P RINT ING

115

instructions

1. Cut the wood to the listed dimensions.

2. Construct the outer part of the box into a 30 x

24- inch (76.2 x 61 cm) rectangle. Fasten the 1 x

8-inch wood pieces together using the drill and

2-inch (5.1 cm) screws. The shorter 22-inch (55.9

cm) pieces fit between (inside) the 30-inch (76.2

cm) pieces. Use two screws per side, positioned

at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the edge with ap-

proximately 5 inch (12.7 cm) or 6 inch (15.2 cm)

between the screws. You may want to dab a small

amount of wood glue on the ends of the wood

pieces first, but this is optional. Another aesthetic

decision may be to fill the screw holes with wood

putty and paint the entire outside of the box if

seeing the screws bothers you. You can paint the

outside of the box later. [a]

3. Paint a thick coat of white paint on the inside of

the rectangular frame. The white paint on the

inside of the box creates a reflective surface and

helps to evenly distribute light. Paint one side of

the 30-inch x 24-inch (76.2 x 61 cm) plywood. Set

the painted wood aside to dry. [B, C]

4. Place the florescent light fixtures (without the

bulbs in) in the center of the dry 30-inch x 24-inch

(76.2 x 61 cm) piece of plywood. Measure to

ensure that they are centered both vertically and

horizontally and pencil-mark the board for place-

ment. Pencil the screw holes in the bottom of the

fixtures on the board also. [d]

5. Choose a bolt and drill bit that fit through the holes

in the fixtures and drill holes through the wood in

all the marked screw holes. [E]

6. Place the rectangular frame on the floor and the

30-inch x 24-inch (76.2 x 61 cm) piece (white paint

facing down) over it. Drill the board to the frame

with 2-inch (5.1 cm) screws, starting at the corners

and then between the corners, on all sides. [F]

A B

C D

E F

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(Fogra 39) Job:02-28051 Title:RP-Textile Artist Handbook

#175 DTP:225 Page:115

104-121_28051.indd 115 3/6/12 7:31 PM