DIY Screenprint Trolley

Good equipment can make your life so much easier!

So here is an example of a print trolley I created a few years ago

from upcycling a baby change table, adding a table top for screen printing on paper.

The table is 60x80cm, so can easily accommodate a standard 50x60cm screen,
and the finished height is just above 90cm, which is standard work/kitchen bench height.

The table was bought second-hand from TradeMe for approximately $10.

It already has two shelves built in, which are very handy for storing inks and tools,

(though you may need to add a brace to reinforce it if loading it up with heavy ink containers like I do!)

and the tray on top has become my 'secret' hiding place for paper storage -

very handy when editioning, to ensure nothing spills on it.

The board on top for printing is just 16mm MDF, 

coated with a hard polyurathane floor varnish.

 (My handy tip is to use a foam roller, as it gives a much smoother finish 

and you can just throw it out when you're done)

Registration can be made much easier with the help

by the addition of some heavy-duty screen clamps from CCG.

If I want to print fabric samples, I can simply flip the board over,

and I have a padded calico to print on.

Instead of attaching the top permanently,

I created a notch on the underside of the board so it slots onto the corner posts

so it won't slide while printing (it's useful to own a few woodcut tools).

This allows easy access to the paper storage underneath,

and it also can me move to another table in seconds if needed.

On the edge of the shelf I have used two hand-grips as a 'squeegee holder' ($2 each at Mitre10),

so when the blade is covered in ink you don't have to put it down on the printing area,

and therefore reducing likelihood of dirtying where your paper will be placed.

Now I hope you can see how easy this is to create yourself,

with no wood-working skills or fancy equipment.

It also saves a lot of space in my workshop, makes inks more accessible,

and as it is on castors I can move anywhere in the studio easily.

If you've got a piece of equipment that makes printing easier,

and you'd like to share about it with other NZ Printmakers,

then take a few photos and send me an email - 

I love to hear from you!!!

Press For Sale: Takach 30-Inch, Wellington

Colin Coke is wanting to sell this Takach etching press:

30 inch x 40 inch, with 7.5 inch pressure drum 

On solid wood table 1400 long x 900 wide x 775mm high on wheels with shelf underneath.

$6000 +gst (or $6900 including gst)

Currently located in Wellington. 

 For more information, contact Colin Coke - colincoke@icloud.com

Intro To Screenprint Courses, March

Want to learn the basics of screenprinting in one day?

This Introduction To Screenprinting course gives you all the basics;

 the essential pieces of equipment, the processes and techniques, 

as well as plenty of hands-on printing time.

This course is suitable for beginners or as a 'refresher', 
with only 3-4 students per class, it can be tailored to your own project ideas.

With the guidance of a very experienced tutor, 

you will learn hand-cut stencils, masking, hand-drawn images, 

as well as the basics of photo emulsion for more detailed designs.

Techniques and inks for printing on both paper and fabric will be taught.

I'm offering two workshops this month:

10am-4pm on Saturday 5 March

10am-4pm on Saturday 19 March

$135 per person includes inks, paper, screens and equipment used during workshop.

Located near Eden Park in Auckland.

Please email to confirm availability of places on your preferred session.

For more info about upcoming dates, or to register, click here to email Delwyn.