As shown in the previous post, I have thermofax screens for sale in my Etsy shop, PGFiber2Art, and you can buy from other vendors on the web as well. If you purchase ready made screens, you will likely have to tape them yourself before you can use them. Taping the edges is an alternative to mounting on a frame; it is less costly and the screens take up less space for storage. I prefer to use duct tape from the plumbing department of the local home supply store. It is heavier weight than standard duct tape, and holds up well against water when cleaning the screens. Here are the steps I follow when taping a screen.
Remove the screen from the paper image. Remember that the rough mesh side of the screen is the top and the smooth plastic side is the bottom.
Cut a piece of duct tape slightly longer than one of the long edges of the screen.
Flip the tape over, sticky side up, on your work surface. Place the edge of the screen on the tape so it overlaps about a 1/4 inch. Smooth the screen on the tape so it is adhered all the way across, with excess tape on both ends.
Carefully fold the tape in half over the edge of the screen lining up the 2 long edges of the tape. Take care to line up the edges first, before allowing the rest of the tape to meet - once it starts to stick, you won't be able to reposition it!
Press the 2 layers of tape together, then use your fingernail to crease the folded edge so it lays flat.
Flip the screen around and tape the opposite long edge in the same way.
Trim all 4 ends of the tape even with the screen.
Turn the screen 90 degrees and tape the short ends in the same manner.
Again, trim the excess tape even with the edges of the screen.
Cut a piece of duct tape slightly longer than one of the long edges of the screen.
Flip the tape over, sticky side up, on your work surface. Place the edge of the screen on the tape so it overlaps about a 1/4 inch. Smooth the screen on the tape so it is adhered all the way across, with excess tape on both ends.
Carefully fold the tape in half over the edge of the screen lining up the 2 long edges of the tape. Take care to line up the edges first, before allowing the rest of the tape to meet - once it starts to stick, you won't be able to reposition it!
Press the 2 layers of tape together, then use your fingernail to crease the folded edge so it lays flat.
Flip the screen around and tape the opposite long edge in the same way.
Trim all 4 ends of the tape even with the screen.
Turn the screen 90 degrees and tape the short ends in the same manner.
Again, trim the excess tape even with the edges of the screen.
Label the tape at the top of the screen so you know which is the top (for some designs, it will not matter which is the top); also be sure to write on the mesh side, not the plastic side. While you can actually print from either side, the mesh side will wear better than the plastic side. That's it! Your screen is ready to use!
