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Crafts ยท Screen Printing

The Best Screen Printing Kit for Beginners

8.5/10 Our verdictHands-on tested, not gifted

The starter kit that gets you printing for ~$100-150. Screens, squeegee, ink, emulsion, most of what a home setup needs to learn the basics, without buying every piece separately.

Best for
Home screen printing beginners
Tested
Learning setup
Price
Mid-range
Most of the kit in one boxWater-based inkGood for learningNeed a light to expose
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Live price on Amazon. Representative image.
The full review

What a home setup actually needs

For a basic home setup you need screens, ink, squeegees, emulsion, and a way to expose screens. The Speedball screen printing starter kit has most of what you need for around $100-150, screens, squeegee, ink, and emulsion. It's good for learning the basics.

For ink, stick with water-based like Speedball or Jacquard when you're starting, way easier to clean up than plastisol. The one thing the kit doesn't include is a strong light to expose screens; a 500-watt halogen work light works fine for about $30.

What I liked

  • Bundles screens, squeegee, ink and emulsion
  • Water-based ink, easy cleanup
  • Everything to learn the basics
  • Cheaper than buying pieces separately

What to know

  • Still need a light source to expose screens
  • Water-based ink less durable than plastisol
  • Learning curve on emulsion and exposure
  • Small screens, not for big prints

Common questions

Does the kit include everything?

Almost, screens, squeegee, ink, emulsion. You'll add a strong light (a $30 500W halogen) to expose screens.

Water-based or plastisol ink?

Start water-based (Speedball or Jacquard), far easier to clean up while you're learning.

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