Creating your own wooden signs at home can seem like a difficult project. Use stencil screen-printing techniques to print an individual, hand-made sign. When screen printing on surfaces that are difficult for paint to adhere to, such as wood, glass or metal, use gloss enamel printing ink for the best results.
Instructions
1. Find or create an image, or slogan, that you want to print on the wood sign. This image should be easy to read, or make sense of, from a distance. Try to avoid overly complicated images.
2. Trace or draw the desired image onto acetate. Remember to form the design so it will fit neatly on the piece of wood.
3. Cut out the parts of the image, or design, that you want to print. Place thick cardboard underneath where you are working. This is your sign stencil.
4. Place the wood on your work surface. Put the stencil on top, in the desired print location. Place the silk screen on top. Use masking tape to mask off any areas, on the underside of the screen, that are not covered.
5. Place the printing ink along the top of the screen. Hold the screen in place with your left hand. Use your right hand to pull the ink down the screen with the squeegee. Hold the squeegee at 45-degrees to the screen.
6. Pull up the screen, from left to right, to reveal your printed sign. Leave the sign to dry. Return any unused ink to the pot by scraping it off the screen. Wash the screen, and the stencil, with water.
