Typography Facilitation Guide Type & Layout
Lesson 01: Teacher Facilitation Guide
Grade 12
Graphic Arts & Printmaking
Essential Question
"How does the integration of typography and image in screen printing alter the efficacy of visual communication?"
The Hook: The Ghost Poster
Display a famous gig poster (e.g., Art Chantry or Milton Glaser) with all text digitally removed. Ask students:
Who is the artist? What is the genre of the event?
Without the date and venue, does the image have enough "utility" to be considered graphic design?
Key Concepts to Drive
Legibility vs. Readability
Legibility is the ease of distinguishing letters; Readability is the ease of scanning the layout.
Screen Printing Constraints
Avoid tiny serifs (under 12pt) and ultra-thin hairlines which may "blow out" or "clog" during printing.
Instructional Flow
1. Anatomy of Type (15 min)
Review x-height, baseline, kerning, and leading. Discuss how screen mesh count (e.g., 230 mesh) affects the ability to print fine typographic details.
2. Hierarchy Case Study (20 min)
Analyze three posters. Identify the "Entry Point" (Heading), the "Context" (Sub-header), and the "Utility" (Body/Dates). Which one fails if you only have 2 seconds to look?
3. The Negative Space Challenge (45 min)
Students use the provided worksheet to sketch three layouts. They must integrate text into the image, not just place it on top. Emphasis on "Interlocking" design.
Pro Tip: The Squint Test
Tell students to squint at their layout. If the most important information doesn't stand out as a dark or light mass, the hierarchy is weak. In screen printing, bold contrast is your best friend.
Type Design Slides ABC DEF
Press & Type
Typography & Composition
Lesson 01
The Goal
To create a visual hierarchy that guides the viewer through information using type as image.
Hierarchy
Directing the eye to the most important info first.
Utility
Ensuring the dates, times, and venues are readable.
Integration
Blending type and illustration so they feel like one cohesive unit.
Anatomy & Printing
X
X-Height
Larger x-heights are more readable on rough paper/mesh.
Kerning
Ink expands (bleeds) slightly. Tight letters will touch!
Weight
Ultra-thin lines won't hold on the screen. Go bold.
The Gig Poster
Gig posters are the ultimate test of Form + Function.
Must grab attention from 20 feet.
Must give details at 2 feet.
Limited colors (usually 2-3).
[Teacher: Insert examples from Art Chantry, Jay Ryan, or Aesthetic Apparatus here]
Your Challenge
Sketch 3 distinct layouts for a 3-color screen print. Use the worksheet to iterate on hierarchy.
Requirement 1
Integrated Type
Requirement 2
High Contrast
Requirement 3
Clear Utility
Hierarchy Workshop Worksheet Hierarchy Workshop
Integrating Text + Image
Name:
Date:
The Design Brief
Design a poster for a fictional community event (e.g., "The Midnight Flea," "Analog Sound Festival," or "City Bike Race"). You must include a primary heading, secondary details (date/time), and an integrated illustration.
Option 01: Typographic Dominant
Concept Analysis
Entry Point (Primary Heading):
Layout Strategy (e.g. Centered, Flush Left, Interlocking):
Screen Printing Audit:
Bold weights for small text?
Large areas of negative space?
Option 02: Image Dominant
Concept Analysis
Entry Point (Visual Focal Point):
Integration Strategy (How does text live inside the image?):
Screen Printing Audit:
Minimum 3pt stroke on all lines?
Avoided overly tight kerning?
Refining for the Screen
Choose your strongest concept from above. What is the one major technical change you need to make to ensure this design prints successfully on a 156-mesh screen?
Chemistry of Light Slides Chemistry of Light
Emulsion & Exposure
Lesson 02
What is Emulsion?
A liquid, photo-sensitive polymer that hardens when exposed to UV light.
UV Light = Solidifies
No Light = Stays Water Soluble
The Magic Matrix
The Physics of Exposure
1. THE BARRIER
Your "Film Positive" acts as a shield. The black ink on the film blocks UV rays from hitting the emulsion.
2. THE CROSS-LINK
Where light hits the screen, the polymer chains cross-link and bond to the mesh.
3. THE WASH-OUT
Because the image area was "in the dark," it remains liquid and simply washes away with water, leaving a stencil.
The Perfect Coat
01
45° Angle
Tilt the coater until emulsion touches the mesh across the whole width.
02
Steady Pull
Move upward with firm, consistent pressure. Listen for the "zip" sound.
03
Clean Edge
Tilt back and "scrape" to ensure no drips remain on the screen.
Troubleshooting
Under-exposed
The emulsion feels "slimy" or falls off during washout.Fix: Increase exposure time.
Over-exposed
The image area won't wash out at all.Fix: Check film density or decrease time.
Ready to Coat?
Exposure Lab Log Darkroom Log
Exposure & Coating Tracker
Station
Technician Name
Date of Coating
Screen Specifications
Screen ID #
Mesh Count (e.g. 156, 230)
Emulsion Type
Coating Method (e.g. 1:1, 2:1)
Exposure Trials
Trial Time (Sec/Min) Light Distance Washout Result Technical Notes 01 02 03
Stencil Quality
[ Sketch or describe the edge of your stencil under a loupe ]
Sawtooth
Sharp
Fuzzy
Final Recommendation
Official exposure time for this screen:
Note: If humidity in the darkroom increases, drying time must increase by at least 30 minutes.
Screen Prep Reference Sheet Studio Reference
Stencil Prep & Exposure
1
Degrease & Dry
Scrub the mesh with industrial degreaser to remove oils/dust. Rinse thoroughly and dry completely in a dust-free area. Oil on mesh = "Pinholes" in your stencil.
2
Coating (Darkroom Only)
Using a scoop coater, apply two coats to the print side (outside) and one coat to the squeegee side (inside). Aim for a smooth, uniform surface without "beads" or drips.
3
Dry Flat
Place screen in the drying cabinet print side down. This allows gravity to pull the emulsion into the mesh fibers for a flatter, sharper stencil.
4
The "Sandwich"
Set up your exposure unit in this order (bottom to top): Glass → Film Positive (Right Reading) → Screen (Print Side Down) → Foam → Weight.
5
Development (Washout)
Wet both sides of the screen. Let sit for 30 seconds. Using medium pressure, spray the print side until the image is clear. Do not over-wash!
Light Safety
Never open the darkroom door while screens are drying or the exposure unit is on. White light will ruin the chemistry instantly.
Stencil Check
Hold your dry screen up to a light source. If you see tiny white spots (pinholes), use screen filler to block them before printing.
Color Theory Slides Color & Chemistry
Ink Modification & CMYK
Lesson 03
The Two Approaches
1. SPOT COLOR
Premixed specific colors (like Pantone). Best for flat, vibrant graphics and branding.
2. PROCESS (CMYK)
Uses 4 semi-transparent inks to create millions of colors via overlapping. Best for photographs.
Mastering
Opacity
Standard screen ink is often too thick/opaque for fine art layering. We use Transparent Base to modify it.
More Base = More Transparency
Allows for "Glazing" (optical mixing)
Optical Green
(Blue Ink + Yellow Ink = Green result)
The Lab Bench
Retarder
Slows down drying time. Essential for preventing "clogging" on the screen in warm studios.
Extender
Increases the volume of ink without changing the color. Use when printing long runs.
The CMYK Match
Using only Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black, try to mix the exact "Pantone of the Year" provided at your station.
Start Mixing
Ink Mixing Lab Guide Ink Formula Lab
Chemistry & Palette Development
Station / Group
The Golden Rule of Mixing
Always add small amounts of dark ink into light ink (or transparent base). It is much easier to darken a color than to lighten it.
Color 01
Target Hue / Pantone Name
Base Ink (%)
Trans. Base (%)
Additives (Retarder/Extender)
Color 02
Target Hue / Pantone Name
Base Ink (%)
Trans. Base (%)
Additives (Retarder/Extender)
Color 03
Target Hue / Pantone Name
Base Ink (%)
Trans. Base (%)
Additives (Retarder/Extender)
THE OVERLAY
Mix a 50/50 ratio of Color 01 and 02 with 80% Trans. Base to test transparency.
Resulting Hue
Opacity Grade (1-10)
Ink Consistency Audit
Lift your mixing spatula. Does the ink flow like thick honey or hold its shape like peanut butter? Describe the ideal consistency for a 230-mesh screen below:
Master Pull Slides The Master Pull
Physics of the Squeegee
Lesson 04
The 3 Pillars of a Good Print
Angle
The "Shear" Force
Too high = not enough ink. Too low = blurry edges.
Pressure
The "Transfer" Force
Firm, even pressure across the whole blade.
Speed
The "Flow" Force
Consistency is key. Never pause mid-stroke!
The Two-Step
Rhythm
1
THE FLOOD
Pulling ink across the screen with no pressure to fill the mesh holes while the screen is lifted.
2
THE PRINT
Lowering the screen and pulling with firm pressure to shear the ink onto the paper.
Pro Tip
If you don't flood between prints, the ink will dry in the mesh, ruining your screen in minutes!
Troubleshooting
Bleading / Fuzzy Edges
Cause: Squeegee angle too low or too much ink on the first pull.
Light / Missing Spots
Cause: Uneven pressure or "clogged" mesh from poor flooding.
Off-Contact Issue
Cause: Screen is touching the paper before you pull. It should hover 1/8" above!
The "Snap"
The sound of the mesh lifting cleanly off the ink. That's a perfect print.
The Perfect 10
Your goal: Print an edition of 10 identical posters. Consistency is the mark of a master printer.
Focus
Speed
Cleanliness
Print Edition Log Edition Log
Mastery & Consistency Tracker
Printmaster:
Date:
Total Edition Size
10 Prints + AP
Paper Type / Weight
Number of Layers
# Registration Ink Density Squeegee Feel Keep? 01/10 02/10 03/10 04/10 05/10 06/10 07/10 08/10 09/10 10/10
Registration Notes
Did your paper shift? Was your tape hinge strong? How will you adjust for the next layer?
Waste Calculation
Success Rate:
____ %
Total Sheets Used: ______
Final Saleable Prints: ______
Final Poster Rubric Edition Assessment
Technical & Creative Rubric
Criteria Level 01: Developing Level 02: Proficient Level 03: Mastery Visual Hierarchy
Typography & Layout
| Layout feels cluttered; text is difficult to find; no clear entry point for the viewer. | Clear primary heading; sub-text is readable but could be better integrated with imagery. | Sophisticated hierarchy; type and image are seamlessly integrated to guide the eye. |
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Stencil Detail
Exposure & Washout
| Edges are fuzzy or "sawtoothed"; small typographic details were lost in washout. | Crisp edges on large text; small details are 80-90% clear; minor pinholes present. | High-fidelity stencil; ultra-crisp edges on all typographic elements; no pinholes. |
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Print Density
Consistency & Flow
| Ink is patchy or uneven; "ghosting" or bleeding is visible across the edition. | Consistent ink deposit across 7/10 prints; registration is within 1/8 inch. | Perfect consistency across 10/10 prints; registration is professional and exact. |
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Studio Practice
Cleanliness & Safety
| Ink left on screens/squeegees; workstation messy; safety protocols occasionally ignored. | Generally clean station; followed chemical safety; cleaned tools after each use. | Exemplary stewardship; setup and teardown was efficient; assisted others with safety. |
Instructor Feedback
Final Edition Grade
A / 100
Reclaim and Reflect Slides Reclaim & Reflect
Studio Stewardship & Synthesis
Lesson 05
The Lifecycle
of a Screen
A professional studio is only as good as its maintenance. Ink left to dry is permanent.
The Golden Rule
"Never leave the sink until the mesh is translucent."
Ghosting
Stains from old ink that block new stencils.
Mesh Fatigue
Tearing or sagging from improper chemical use.
The Reclamation Cycle
01
Breakdown
Emulsion remover breaks the polymer chains that light cross-linked.
02
Blast
High-pressure water physically forces the dissolved emulsion out of the mesh.
03
Haze Remove
Chemical ghosts are erased, returning the screen to its "factory white" state.
The Professional Standard
Signing & Numbering
Always in pencil below the image area. [Number/Edition Size] on the left, [Title] in the center, [Signature] on the right.
Artist Statement
Synthesize your choices. Why that font? Why that color? What is the core message?
1/10 "Typographic Chaos" Your Name
"How does the integration of typography and image in screen printing alter the efficacy of visual communication?"
Discussion Time
Artist Statement Reflection Sheet The Final Synthesis
Artist Statement & Technical Reflection
Portfolio Copy
Artist Name
Project Title
Date of Edition
Edition Size
01. The Core Concept
What message or event does this poster communicate? How did you use imagery to support the main idea?
02. Typographic Rationale
Why did you select these specific fonts? Discuss your hierarchy strategy: how did you ensure the "utility" information (dates, venues) remained legible while integrating the text into the design?
03. Technical Synthesis
Reflect on the printing process. What was the biggest technical challenge (exposure, ink mixing, or registration)? How did the physical act of "the pull" change your perspective on graphic arts?
Essential Question Final Thought
"How does the integration of typography and image in screen printing alter the efficacy of visual communication?"
Studio Cleanup Checklist Studio Cleanup
Reclamation & Maintenance Log
End of Unit
Technician
Station #
Screen Reclamation Workflow
Step Action Required Partner Sign-off 01 Tape Removal
Remove all blue/packing tape from the mesh and frame. Throw in trash, NOT the sink.
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Ink Scrape & Salvage
Return unused ink to original containers. Wipe frame edges clean with a rag.
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Emulsion Stripping
Apply emulsion remover to BOTH sides. Wait 30s. Scrub until stencil dissolves.
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Pressure Wash
Use the pressure washer to blast out all remaining emulsion and ink stains.
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Final Degrease
Apply degreaser, scrub, and rinse. The screen should be "factory clean."
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Tool Status
Squeegee blade wiped dry/stored handle-down?
Mixing spatulas washed and dried?
Ink lids tightened and color-matched?
Final Inspection
Instructor Signature Required for Full Lab Credit:
A Master Printer is also a Master Caretaker.
