Screen Printing Basics

Lesson 1: Introduction to Screen Printing

Year Level: 7
Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 6 students
Curriculum Area: Visual Arts
NZ Curriculum Level: Level 3-4

Curriculum Links

• Understanding the Visual Arts in Context: Students will explore screen printing as an art form, its history, and its significance in different cultures, including its role in contemporary New Zealand art.
• Developing Practical Knowledge: Students will be introduced to fundamental screen printing tools, inks, and techniques.
• Developing Ideas: Students will begin brainstorming simple design concepts for their own screen prints in future lessons.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:
✅ Understand what screen printing is and how it has evolved over time.
✅ Identify common materials and tools used in the screen printing process.
✅ Recognise different applications of screen printing in art, fashion, and commercial design.
✅ Begin thinking about their own simple design for a future print project.

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction & Hook (10 minutes)

💬 Discussion Question: "Where have you seen screen printing before?"

• Show students a mix of objects (e.g., printed t-shirts, posters, tote bags) and ask how the designs might have been created.
• Briefly introduce the concept of screen printing as a method used by artists and designers worldwide.

📖 Mini-History Lesson:

• Share key facts about screen printing, highlighting its origins in China (around 1,000 years ago) and its modern use in pop art, particularly by artists like Andy Warhol.
• Discuss New Zealand artists or designers who use screen printing, such as Dick Frizzell, and show examples of their work.

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2. Exploring Screen Printing Techniques (15 minutes)

👀 Visual Demonstration:

• Show short examples of different screen printing techniques (Stencil Printing & Photographic Emulsion) using images or videos.
• Discuss the difference between hand-made prints and mass-produced ones.

🎨 Materials Exploration:

• Pass around different tools used for screen printing (squeegees, silk screens, stencil materials, fabric inks).
• Allow students to touch and examine the materials, discussing how each tool functions.

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3. Quick Hands-on Experiment (15 minutes)

🖌 "Paper Stencil Print Challenge"

• Give each student a piece of stiff paper and ask them to cut out a simple shape (e.g. star, heart, initials).
• Use ink rollers and sponges to press ink through their shapes onto a small practice sheet.
• Discuss how this basic stencil concept links to more advanced screen printing techniques.

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4. Reflection and Design Brainstorm (15 minutes)

📝 Planning Their Own Future Design:

• Each student sketches 2-3 simple design ideas they might like to print in later lessons.
• Encourage them to think about elements from their own culture, interests, or New Zealand themes.

💡 Class Share:

• Each student shares one idea with the group.
• Offer positive feedback and guide them towards designs that will work well for screen printing.

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Conclusion & Next Steps (5 minutes)

🎯 Recap Key Learnings:

• What is screen printing?
• What are some common tools and materials?
• What are some examples of screen printing in everyday life?

📌 Homework (Optional):

• Ask students to bring a small, flat object (e.g., a piece of cardboard or an old t-shirt) for future printing experiments.

🔜 Next Lesson:

• Students will begin preparing stencils for their first real screen prints!

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Teacher Notes & Adjustments

✅ If students are highly engaged, extend the hands-on section by letting them experiment with different materials (sponges, textured rollers) to explore ink application further.
✅ For students needing extra support, provide pre-cut stencils for their first experiment.
✅ Encourage Māori and Pasifika influences by highlighting local artists who incorporate traditional patterns into screen printing.

🎨 Wow Factor: Instead of just telling students how screen printing works, they start experimenting immediately—keeping the session interactive and engaging!