How to Screen Print Paper Bags

Apr 25, 2019 | Cricut Projects, Project Ideas, Screen Printing, Teacher Appreciation


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It is hard to believe, but school is almost out for summer. If you’re like me, you’re looking for the perfect end of the year teacher gift.

One easy to make gift I’ve used many times is screen printed paper gift bags.

These bags are easy to customize and teachers always love them.

Keep reading to see exactly how I make these perfect, customizable end of the year gifts.

Screen Printing Supplies for Printing on Paper Bags with Speedball Acrylic Ink

Supplies Used:

Screen Printing with Vinyl

This project uses the same basic method I use on all of my screen printing projects.

If you’re just starting out and would like to see real time step by step instructions on this process, let me show you everything you need to know with my easy to follow Screen Printing with Vinyl Online Course.

Now for the details

Start out by creating your design using your Cricut or Silhouette machine and cut it on Oracal 651 vinyl (don’t forget to mirror the image).

Next, use the best tape on the market to transfer your design to the back of your screen. Lastly, squeegee the ink over the screen onto your bag and viola, the perfect end of the year customized teacher gift.

DIY Personalized Paper Bags with Screen Printing and Vinyl

Do I need to heat set ink on paper bags?

With Speedball acrylic ink, you don’t need to heat set the ink but you do need to let them dry completely before using them. I don’t recommend using any type of heat to speed up the drying process because this type of bag is extremely flammable.

The thing I love about these projects is it doesn’t matter if you’re making 1 or 20. Once you have the screen set up, it’s a breeze.

Tutorial Video:

PRO TIP

Use a hinge frame setup to make lining up the screen and bags much easier. I filmed this video before I had a hinge frame so my hack of taping everything to my table and marking the corners of the screen (you can't see this in the video) worked. The hinge frame setup is much easier and not a huge investment if you plan to do these types of projects. 

2 Comments

  1. Omg.. this is so pretty! I would love to try this for my fundraiser. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  2. Do you have to do anything else to paper once print dries to seal it?

    Reply

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