Add some personalized touches to your Thanksgiving table this holiday season.  In addition to screen printing napkins, table runners, decorations, and t-shirts, you can screen print on cork!

I found these inexpensive cork trivets at IKEA and decided to personalize them with designs for our Thanksgiving pies. 

I love finding inexpensive blanks and transforming them into something more custom.  You can easily make this project in bulk to give as gifts or sell in your Etsy shop.  It would make a great hostess gift!

Supplies Needed for Screen Printing on Cork

• Cricut Maker or Silhouette Vinyl Cutting Machine
• Speedball Screen Printing with Vinyl Kit (or Speedball screen printing frame and Oracal 651 vinyl)
• Speedball acrylic ink
• Squeegee
• Painter’s Tape
• Cricut TrueControl Knife
• Transfer Tape
• Cork Trivets
• SVG Designs (Eat Mor Pie or Get Your Fat Pants Ready)

Why Screen Printing vs. Vinyl

You've heard me talk about how screen printing holds up better than iron-on vinyl on shirts. I do love the way that screen printing ink absorbs into shirts leaving a permanent design that won't peel off.  But, what about screen printing on other surfaces?

The screen printing on these cork trivets will have no problem holding the heat of dishes coming directly out of the oven.  Vinyl wouldn't fare as well to this much direct heat. 

Make a few extra for your neighbors, friends and family.  You can print multiples with just one piece of vinyl. 

Screen printing is such an efficient process, it will save you time and money.  No more weeding the same design over and over. With just a few scoops of acrylic screen printing ink, I was able to print all of the trivets I purchased from IKEA.

You can see more of my screen printing ideas here.

How to Screen Print on Cork Using Your Cricut or Silhouette

This process starts the same as all of my projects.  If you are new to screen printing with your vinyl cutter, my beginner's page is a great place to start.

Transfer your design cut on your Cricut Maker or Silhouette to your Speedball screen printing frame using transfer tape.  Tape off any areas outside of the vinyl where you don't want ink going through the screen. 

Place your cork trivet under your screen printing frame.  Squeegee the ink over your design while holding your screen in place with the one hand. 

Lift your screen to reveal your printed trivet!  You can immediately reuse the screen to make more prints.  Just place the screen on your next trivet and repeat the process. 

Speedball Acrylic Ink

One of the benefits of using acrylic ink on projects is that you do not need to heat set this type of ink.  Just let it air dry and it's permanent! 

I use Speedball acrylic screen printing ink on things like disposable napkins, paper, wood, plastic boxes, cardboard and so much more.  I use Speedball fabric ink for any apparel or materials that will likely be washed.  Shirts, sweatshirts and tote bags all need fabric ink so that you can heat set the ink.  This makes the ink permanent in the garment so it will hold up wash after wash. 

Where Can You Buy Speedball Acrylic Ink?

I have trouble finding Speedball acrylic screen printing inks in my local craft stories, but you can get it online.   You can purchase Speedball acrlyic ink on Amazon in a variety of colors.

Can I use Regular Acrylic Ink?

You can use other brands of ink, but you will want to test them first.  I tried a variety of brands from my craft store and wasn't thrilled with the results.  They dry quickly in the screen so you have to be careful not to leave them on your screen long. If acrylic ink dries in your screen, it will clog the mesh and you'll need to replace the screen!

After trying a variety of other acrylic ink brands, I've decided to stick with Speedball inks.  They are easy to use and clean up with water and Speed Clean. 

I hope this project inspires you to try screen printing on cork!  I'd love to see your project – if you share on Instagram, be sure to tag me @pigskinsandpigtails when you post.