Of course I do! Do Yudu?

I give the Yudu 2 thumbs up!!!

I have been in my craft room for the past three days Yudu-ing everything that I can put my hands on.

It is a fabulous tool. I have to say that it surpassed my expectations.

If you want one than you need to get one. You are going to have to weigh the cost benefit for yourself.  But let me see what I can do to push you off the fence.

You must watch three YouTube Videos.

1. The Impatient Crafter presents: I do, YuDu (Home Screenprinting Machine)
2. Tutorial: Provo Craft Yudu Emulsion 101
3. Getting to know the Yudu (it has seven parts)

The hardest part of the process is deciding what image. The type of image you choose will depend on the size of your screens.

There are two size screens 110 (which comes with the machine) and 220.

I have used only the 110s on the images in this post. When I tried to create a detailed image, the holes were too large and it lost the crispness that I was expecting. But I could see how the 220 would have been perfection!

I love bookplates. I had some copyright free images from Dover Publications.

The image on the right is the inverse of the image on the left. You are going to need to make as many images as you want to add layers of color.

The instructions are easy, the process just takes a long time. When Margot says that if you make the emulsion too wet you will be waiting and waiting and waiting... She is not exaggerating.

If you have a blow dryer, use it.

NOT A HEAT GUN!!! 

You will melt it. Trust me... Don't ask.

Needless to say I am the proud owner of a blow dryer.

I hope that with the upgrade, they would put a stronger motor in it so that they could use a stronger fan to cut down on dry time. The screen must be completely dry in order for the ink, paint or dye not to bleed under.

But the light to emulsion ratio is perfect. Just leave the machine set for 8 minutes and you get a perfect, I mean to die for perfect, screen print.

OK, so now what all is good for the machine.

Basically, anything that can lay flat. I have done acrylic, handmade paper, lutrador, manila, chipboard, wood and metal.

It all boils down to understanding what ink, paint, or dye you are going to add to the top of the surface.

I love the black on the acrylic. I can see glittering up the peacock and stitching a book cover. Yes, that is what I have planned for that piece.

You can also use your personal cutter with vinyl to make a mask that can lay on the screen. This would cut down on all the dry time for the emulsion. 

       

As you can tell, it also depends on what order to put the screens on your surface.

I should have reversed the blue and the black.

I loved the red and the silver.

Doing the two colors requires a bunch of patience. You have to line up the images. I was off on a few and that is just fine by me. But it can be done. I did it once.

The possibilities are endless. 

until we meet again,

Comments

[Jan Stribling]

I've always wanted someone's opinion on the Yudu. I'd love to have one. LOVE your book plates!

[lauren ferguson]

Jan,

I absolutely love it. I love the crisp image that you get. I also love the fact that even after 20 impressions, you can get such a nice impression on slick surfaces.

Your choices for paper are really going to be a matter of style and taste. I personally love the way that the ink stays on the manila. On the other hand, I love the texture of the handmade paper.

I can see the possibilities!

I must caution everyone and say, you must take your time. This is not a process that you can rush through.

This is a slow and steady wins the race kinda tool.

HTH,

Lauren

[Erin Bassett]

Love what you've done so far!!

Part of the fun of the Yudu for me is experimenting to see what else I can print on.

Fun, fun, fun!

[lauren ferguson]

You are absolutely right! That is the fun part.

The machine is really easy to use and depending on the image I choose... who knows what I might screen on.

Oh I love my Yudu!