In an attempt to get off to an organized start this new year, I spent the day labeling my notebooks. I found these Moleskine journals to keep all of my craft projects and business ideas organized. The blank covers are just begging to be personalized!

Using my vinyl method of screen printing, the Speedball hinge frame and Speedball acrylic ink, I printed a design on the cover of each notebook.  For the first one, I created a dedicated notebook for taking notes during my favorite podcasts.

How to Screen Printing on Paper

If you are new to screen printing with vinyl, start here.

1. Attach your adhesive vinyl design to a hinge frame. You can use a regular frame too.  It just makes it a little harder to line up each journal.
2. Tape off any exposed areas with Painter's Tape where you don't want ink to go through.
3. Squeegee Speedball acrylic ink over your design.
4. Lift your screen to reveal your screen printed design!
5. You can repeat this process to make additional copies of the same design.
6. When you are done, remove the vinyl from your screen and wash it.

Tips for Screen Printing on Paper (or Wood)

When you screen print on a surface that doesn't absorb the ink like the fabric of a t-shirt, there are a few tricks to avoid bleeding.

• Use poker chips or quarters along the edge of your screen printing frame to raise the screen off your notebook/paper/wood just slightly.  This is called off-contact.  The screen will touch the surface as you squeegee over, then spring off to keep the ink from squishing out the sides of your design.
• Try to make just one pass with the squeegee.  You want enough ink to cover the design completely but not too much ink!  If you go over it too many times, the ink will start to bleed under your vinyl.
• There is no need to heat set Speedball acrylic ink.  Just allow it to air dry and you're good to go!
• Cut a weeding box around the outside of your design that is the same size as your notebook.  This will allow you to center the design in the middle before you cut it.  Then, use the outside edges of the vinyl to line up your journal underneath the screen.  When you have it in the perfect spot, tape off the areas around your design with painter’s tape.
• If you mess up, on most surfaces, you can use water and a paper towel to wipe off the ink.  Allow it to dry and try again!

Process Video

Supplies Used in This Tutorial

• Speedball 10×14 Hinge Frame
• Speedball Acrylic Ink in Silver
• Squeegee
• Transfer Tape
• Painter’s Tape
• Cricut Maker
• Oracal 651 Vinyl
• Moleskine Journals

I hope your year is off to an organized start.  If you have any tips on how you stay organized throughout the year, share them below!  Goodness knows I need all the tips I can get on keeping life organized!