Roots and Reels Slides Ink
Revolution
History of Serigraphy & Stencil Design
The Common
Thread
?
A band t-shirt from a 1990s concert.
?
A political poster from a 1960s protest.
What is the manufacturing method that unites these two objects?
Essential Question
How does the ability to mass-produce an image change its social impact and accessibility?
Ancient Beginnings
Song Dynasty (China)
The first known use of "stencil printing" using silk screens and human hair glue.
Japanese Katazome
Intricate paper stencils used to dye textiles with rice paste resist.
[Image: Historical Stencil Artifacts]
The Warhol Shift
Commercial
Repetitive
Democratic
Andy Warhol bridged the gap between Fine Art and Mass Production.
Stencil Logic
1
Islands
Disconnected positive spaces that would fall out if not supported.
2
Bridges
The "connectors" that hold the stencil together. Think of the letter "O".
Bridge Anatomy
Rule #1: Binary Only
In screen printing, your image is either Ink or No Ink. There are no shades of gray.
YES
High-contrast, black and white silhouettes. Sharp edges. Bold lines.
NO
Gradients, soft shadows, thin pencil sketches, blurry photos.
Stencil Logic Worksheet Stencil Logic
Design Challenge & Analysis
Name:
Date:
PART 1
The Language of Screens
Define "Island" in stencil terms:
Define "Bridge" in stencil terms:
PART 2
The Anatomy of a Letter
Failed Stencil
Look at the graphic to the left. If you cut this out of a piece of paper, what would happen to the center circle? How do you fix it?
PART 3
The Design Draft
In the box below, sketch a **high-contrast** design for a 1-color screen print.
Drawing Area
Design Check-list
Is my design entirely solid black and solid white?
Are all "Islands" connected by at least two "Bridges"?
Will this design convey a message from 10 feet away?
"The medium is the message." — Marshall McLuhan
Roots and Reels Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Roots and Reels
Lesson 1: History, Theory, and the Logic of the Stencil
Duration
90 Minutes
Format
Discussion + Studio
Grade
10th Grade
The Hook: "The Mass Media Reveal"
Start by displaying a well-known band t-shirt (e.g., Nirvana, The Misfits) and a famous protest poster (e.g., Obey Giant, Solidarity). Ask: "What do these have in common?"
Guide the conversation toward the idea of **Multiples**. One artist can make 1,000 versions of the same thing. This is the power of screen printing.
Pacing & Flow
15 min
Visual History Presentation
Follow the slide deck. Focus on the transition from the Chinese Song Dynasty to industrial utility in the early 20th century, then Warhol's explosion into the art world.
20 min
The Stencil Logic Demo
Use a piece of cardstock and a craft knife (or just a marker on a whiteboard). Draw an "O". Ask students how to cut it out without losing the middle. Introduce "Islands" and "Bridges".
45 min
Student Design Challenge
Students work on the Stencil Logic Worksheet . Circulate to check for shading (remind them: binary only!) and floating islands.
10 min
Clean Up & Review
Gallery walk of sketches. Students peer-review for "stencil-ability."
Pro Tip: Contrast
Students often try to draw detailed sketches with pencil shading. Stop this early! Give them broad-tipped Sharpies or black ink markers immediately. It forces them to think in high contrast from the start.
Troubleshooting
If a student has a very complex image, suggest they use "Negative Space" stenciling. Instead of printing the object, print the background around it.
Ink Revolution Curriculum © 2026
Chemistry of Light Slides The
Darkroom
Chemistry, Light, and Screen Prep
Step 1: The Clean Slate
Before emulsion, the mesh must be Chemically Clean.
Degreasing removes oils (from hands).
Prevents emulsion "fish-eyes" (pitting).
Ensures the stencil sticks to the mesh.
Use Screen Degreaser Only
The Chemistry
Photo-Emulsion
A liquid polymer that is sensitive to UV Light.
When hit by UV light, it hardens (cross-links) and becomes waterproof.
Safe Lights
Regular yellow or red bulbs don't emit enough UV to cure the emulsion, allowing us to work.
Exposure
Sunlight or high-UV lamps are the enemy (and the tool).
The Scoop Coater
1
The Tilt
Tilt the coater until the emulsion touches the mesh along the whole edge.
2
The Glide
Steady, firm upward pressure. Listen for the "zipping" sound.
3
The Scrape
Tilt back and scrape off the excess at the top. No drips!
Rule: 2 Coats on Print Side, 1 Coat on Squeegee Side
Drying Time
Flat Only
Dry screens horizontally (print side down) so emulsion settles evenly.
Total Darkness
Any light leak will ruin the screen during the drying process.
Darkroom Protocol Checklist Darkroom Protocol
Chemistry & Prep Checklist
Name: ____________________
Screen #: ________________
Phase 1: Degreasing
Wet both sides of the screen with cool water.
Apply degreaser with a clean scrub brush.
Scrub in a circular motion (both sides).
Rinse thoroughly until no bubbles remain.
Place in drying cabinet. **DO NOT TOUCH MESH.**
Phase 2: Coating
Fill scoop coater half-full with emulsion.
Coat **Print Side** (bottom) - 1 pass.
Coat **Squeegee Side** (top) - 1 pass.
Check for drips/thick edges; scrape if needed.
Dry screen **Print Side Down** in dark cabinet.
Transparency Audit
Before you expose, your transparency film must be perfect.
The Blackout Test
Hold it to the light. Can you see through the black ink? If yes, it's not dark enough.
Orientation Check
Is your text or image mirrored correctly for the print side?
Darkroom Safety
Wear an apron; emulsion stains permanently.
No white light (phones, flashes) allowed while screens are out.
Wipe up any emulsion drips on the floor immediately.
Keep scoop coaters level when moving.
Instructor Verification
Darkroom Safety Standard — Unit 2 — Screen Prep
The Darkroom Ritual Teacher Guide Lab Instructions
Darkroom Ritual
Lesson 2: Managing Chemistry and Coating
The Lab Environment
Screen printing darkrooms don't need to be pitch black—just UV-Safe . Yellow or red lights are essential for student safety and visibility during coating.
Tip: If you don't have safe-lights, use red holiday string lights or dim yellow bulbs.
Technical Standards
Degreasing: Screens must be bone dry before coating. Water trapped in mesh causes emulsion failure.Emulsion: Stir gently before use. Avoid creating air bubbles which cause pinholes.
Facilitation Strategy
1
The "Zipping" Sound Demo
When coating, the edge of the scoop coater should make a distinct "zip" or "brrrr" sound as it glides up the mesh. This indicates sufficient tension and pressure. Demonstrate the sound of a "good" pass vs. a "quiet" (too light) pass.
2
Managing the Flow
Coating can only be done by 1-2 students at a time. Have the rest of the class work on their Transparencies or audit their designs. Use the Darkroom Protocol Checklist to keep them accountable.
Troubleshooting Coating
Issue: Scalloped Edges
Caused by uneven pressure or stops and starts during the stroke.
Issue: Emulsion Drips
Coater was too full or tilted back too late.
Ink Revolution — Teacher Support Materials
The Burn and Wash Slides THE
BURN
Exposure & Washout
The Setup
To "burn" your screen, you must create a perfect Sandwich:
1 Light Source (UV)
2 Glass (Clear)
3 Transparency (The Master)
4 Coated Screen
5 Pressure (Foam or Vacuum)
Tight contact is key!
Binary Reaction
EXPOSED AREAS
Light hits the emulsion through the clear film. The chemical hardens. It will STAY on the screen.
BLOCKED AREAS
The black ink on your film blocks the UV light. The emulsion stays soft. It will WASH AWAY.
The Magic
Moment
1. Soak
Wet both sides of the screen. Wait 30-60 seconds for the soft emulsion to loosen.
2. Blast
Use high-pressure water on the print side. Focus on the image area until it clears.
3. Audit
Hold the screen up to the light. Ensure every detail is crisp and clear. No "scum" left behind!
What went wrong?
Over-Exposed
Light leaked into the blocked areas. Image won't wash out. (Cause: Too much time)
Under-Exposed
The "hardened" area falls off or is slimy. (Cause: Not enough time)
Always use an
Exposure Log Audit Sheet Exposure Log
Unit 3: Burning & Washout
Student Name: ____________________
Screen Mesh Count: ________________
The Burn Data
Exposure Unit ID Exposure Time (Seconds) Distance (Lamp to Glass)
Post-Washout Audit
Hold your screen up to the light after it is dry.
Are the edges crisp?
No fuzzy or bleeding edges.
Is the mesh clear?
No "scum" or leftover emulsion in open areas.
Are there pinholes?
Small holes in areas that should be blocked.
The "Block Out" Map
If you have pinholes or gaps, sketch where you need to apply "Block Out" fluid to prevent ink leaks.
Technical Reflection
If you had to redo this burn, would you increase or decrease the time? Why?
Approved for Production
The Burn and Wash Teacher Guide The Burn & Wash
Lesson 3: Mastering Exposure & Troubleshooting
Magic
The Objective
Students will understand the chemical reaction of UV light on polymer emulsion and successfully develop a clean, high-resolution stencil.
Key Terms to Reinforce
Cross-Linking Pinholes Halation Scumming
The Sandwich Demo (15 min)
Demonstrate the order of operations for the exposure unit. Emphasize Total Contact. Any gap between the film and the glass causes light to crawl under the edges (Halation), resulting in fuzzy prints.
The First Washout (20 min)
This is the 'Hook'. Take the whole class to the washout booth for the first student's screen. Show them the 'Soak' phase. When the image appears, highlight the contrast between the green/blue emulsion and the open mesh.
Rotation & Audit (45 min)
Manage the bottleneck at the exposure unit. Students waiting should be auditing their transparencies or cleaning up the darkroom. As screens dry, show them how to check for 'scumming' (un-rinsed emulsion residue).
Classroom Rescue Guide
The "Blowout" (Emulsion falls off entirely)
Diagnosis: Under-exposure or screen was still wet during coating.
The "Lockup" (Image won't wash out)
Diagnosis: Over-exposure or light leak in storage.
The "Scum" (Mesh looks clear but ink won't pass through)
Diagnosis: Inadequate rinsing.
Ink Revolution — Lesson 3 Support Document
The Pull Slides THE
PULL
Ink Mixing & Squeegee Mechanics
The Ink Bar
Ink isn't just color; it's Viscosity.
Acrylic Ink: Fast-drying, water-based.
Retarder: Keeps ink from drying in the mesh.
Temperature: Heat makes ink runny; cold makes it thick.
Consistency of Honey
Your ink should slowly drizzle off the mixing stick, not "plop" or "waterfall."
The Tool
Durometer
The hardness of the rubber.
The Blade
Must be sharp and nick-free for a clean print.
Width
Should be 1-2 inches wider than the image.
The Rhythm
Phase A: The Flood
Angled & Light
Push the ink across the stencil without touching the paper. Fills the mesh with ink so it doesn't dry out.
Phase B: The Pull
Vertical & Firm
45-75 degree angle. One smooth, rhythmic motion. "Clearing" the screen of all ink in that pass.
Mastering the Physics
Too Shallow
Too much ink; fuzzy edges.
Perfect
Crisp, even, solid color.
Too Steep
Skips areas; faint print.
Printing Mastery Log Printing Log
Lesson 4: Ink & Mechanics
Name: ____________________
Date: ____________________
Ink Type: ________________
The Ink Recipe
Color Mix Components (e.g., 80% White, 20% Blue)
Additives (Retarder, Base, etc.)
Viscosity Check
Too Runny
Perfect (Honey)
Too Thick
Test Print Analysis
Print #1
Tape small
Problem:
Adjustment:
Print #2
Tape small
Problem:
Adjustment:
Print #3 (Target)
Tape small
Problem:
Adjustment:
Mastering the Pull
What was the hardest part of the "Flood & Pull" rhythm for you?
Describe the sound of a "clean" clearing of the screen.
Production Log — Quality Control Phase 1
The Pull Teacher Guide Technical Demo Guide
The Perfect Pull
Lesson 4: Ink Mechanics & Squeegee Technique
The "Goldilocks" Demo
Before students touch the presses, perform a live demo showing three distinct prints. This visual comparison is the most effective way to teach squeegee pressure.
1. The "Ghost"
TOO LIGHT PRESSURE
The print is faint, textured, and has white gaps where the ink didn't clear the mesh. Usually caused by a shallow angle or fear of the press.
2. The "Bleed"
TOO MUCH PRESSURE
The ink is squeezed under the stencil, blurring the details. The paper sticks to the screen. Caused by a "death grip" or multiple unnecessary passes.
3. The "Crisp"
JUST RIGHT
Solid, even color with sharp edges. One "Flood" and one "Pull". The sound is a sharp, clean ZIP.
Lab Management
!
Ink Discipline: 10th graders will over-mix. Emphasize that a golf-ball-sized amount of ink can print 20 posters. Waste is the enemy.
!
The "One Person" Rule: Only the printer should handle ink containers. This prevents "ink migration" (getting blue ink on a red t-shirt).
Classroom Workflow
Mix Ink (Honey Consistency)
Setup Off-Contact (1/8")
Test Print 1 (Evaluate)
Master Test (Log it!)
Troubleshooting Squeegee Chatter
If the squeegee "jumps" or "chatters" across the screen, it's usually because the mesh isn't tensioned properly or the ink is too dry. Add 2-3 drops of retarder or increase your downward pressure.
Ink Revolution — Lesson 4 Support Document
Print Shop Hustle Slides PRINT SHOP
HUSTLE
The Production Run
The Mindset Shift
"The Artist makes one.
In a production run, consistency is your only goal. Each print in the stack must match the master proof.
Repeatable
Efficient
Collaborative
Waste-Free
Team Structure
The Pressman
Responsible for the 'Pull'. Manages ink viscosity and squeegee pressure. Never leaves the press.
The Loader
Positions paper or apparel accurately. Checks registration and manages the 'Off-Contact'.
The Catcher
Audits κάθε print for quality. Transfers wet prints to the drying rack without smudging.
The Drying Rack
Bottleneck
Wet prints cannot touch! Smudging is the #1 cause of lost production time.
Apparel Curing: If printing on t-shirts, you MUST heat-set the ink or it will wash away.
WET PRINT
Rack Management
40 MINS
20 PRINTS
The Clock starts now
Goal
Zero Smudges
Limit
2 "Misprints"
Success
A Crisp Stack
Production Brief Project Sheet Production Brief
Print Shop Simulation — v.2026
JOB ID
The Mission
"Your team has been contracted to produce a limited edition run of posters or apparel. The client demands absolute consistency across the entire edition. Every print must be indistinguishable from the 'Artist Proof'."
Edition Size
20 Units
Quality Standard
Tier 1: Commercial
Team Assignments
Pressman: ________________
Loader: ________________
Catcher: ________________
Quality Control (QC) Points
Registration Accuracy
Is the image centered and straight on every single piece?
Ink Density
No "Ghosting" or "Bleeding." The color is opaque and solid.
Drying Integrity
Zero smudges or fingerprints from handling wet prints.
Production Notes
Describe any technical failures and how your team overcame them...
Total Acceptable Prints: / 20
Manager Sign-off: ________________
End of Line — Ink Revolution Production Phase
Print Shop Hustle Teacher Guide Print Shop Hustle
Lesson 5: Production Management & Team Workflow
The Simulation Environment
This lesson isn't just about art; it's about industrial efficiency. Students should feel the "pressure" of a commercial shop. Use music (something rhythmic and upbeat) and a visible timer to set the mood.
The Teacher's Role: "The Shop Manager"
The Proof Sign-off: Before any team starts their 20-print run, you MUST sign off on their "Artist Proof." Ensure the color is right and the registration is straight.Quality Audits: Walk the floor. If you see a team printing "ghosts" or smudging, pause the line and troubleshoot.Pacing Calls: Call out the time every 10 minutes. "10 minutes in, where is your proof?" "20 minutes in, you should be at print #10!"
Logistics & Safety
The Drying Rack Chaos
Assign one student (the "Catcher") to be the ONLY person who touches the drying rack. This prevents cross-contamination and smudging.
Curing (If Apparel)
If printing on fabric, set up a "Curing Station" with a conveyor dryer or heat press. This is a separate bottleneck—monitor it closely for safety.
Cleanup Protocol
Reclaiming screens takes as long as printing. Save the last 15 minutes of class for total shop scrub-down.
Final Debrief Discussion
Once the prints are on the rack, gather the class. Revisit the **Essential Question**:
Prompt: "If you only made one of these, who could see it? Now that you have 20, where can they go? Who can own them?"
Ink Revolution — Final Lesson Support Document
