An original gift for a 50th birthday
It all started as an idea for a unique birthday gift. A lot of my friends are turning fifty this year. Instead of giving money or some random crap, I decided to make them custom T-shirts with a personal message.
I sketched out a design, but since I’m a former account guy and not exactly fluent in Illustrator, I asked a friend and ex-agency colleague to prep the design in the right format.
First steps: Print prep
I headed to a studio near King’s Cross that prints on transparent A3 film. I ordered black T-shirts and the basic gear for screen printing.
Once I had everything, I coated the screen with photo-reactive emulsion. It needs to dry for 24 hours in complete darkness. The darkest room in my flat is the bathroom, so I even taped over the light switch to avoid flipping it by accident. I moved around by touch and, just to be safe, peed sitting down. So did the friend who came over. 🙂
Improvising with glass and a UV lamp
When the emulsion dried, I placed the film on the screen. You have to weigh it down with glass so it sticks properly. But I didn’t have any. So I went to a nearby glass shop.
I said, “I need a piece of glass cut to A3 size.”
The guy goes, “Double pane? For a window?”
I said, “No, I’m an ARTIST.”
He stared at me like I was nuts and looked like he might call the cops. Then he told me the price—£70. Now I was the one staring. I thanked him and left.
Then it hit me: last time I cleaned the oven, I noticed the door glass could be removed. I ran home, dismantled the oven, pulled out the glass—and it fit perfectly. I placed it on the screen and exposed it with the UV lamp.
Back to square one
Next, you’re supposed to rinse the screen with a strong stream of water. I’d bought a new shower head for this. But nothing. Absolutely nothing. I had to wash off the emulsion with special fluid and start over. Three times.
On the third try, the design finally appeared. Victory!
Screen printing studio in a bedsit
I asked a friend to help with the printing. I prepped about six shirts—more wouldn’t fit on the floor of my tiny flat. I spread the ink with a squeegee, and my mate hung the shirts on hangers.
Sometimes I dripped ink or touched a shirt with messy hands. First-day loss rate? Around 30%. I had to order more.
In the end, I made 25 shirts and gave them all away.
From fabric to paper
Screen printing totally hooked me. I decided to keep going, but just on paper. I transferred my first design—STAY FREE STAY NOISY—onto cardboard and created a signed series in six color variants.
The first piece is already hanging in a place of honor—at the pub in the village of Felbabka. The “vernissage” was last Sunday, and the booze flowed so freely I was still hungover on Wednesday.
What’s next?
New ideas are already brewing in my head, and I can’t wait to bring them to life.
