Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v3 - Senior Secondary 1
Frame Making
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Frame Making
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Subject: Printing Craft Practice
Class: Senior Secondary 1
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 3
Theme: Screen Printing Reproduction
This page supports the lesson note with a companion video and a short classroom-ready summary.
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Make a wooden frame. Staple or nail a mesh (silk) on the frame.
Screen Printing Reproduction rectangular frame, applying wood glue and securing joints with nails or screws, ensuring the frame is square. Students will sand the finished frame. Practical Application – Mesh Attachment: Students will cut mesh to the appropriate size. Students will position the mesh on their constructed frames. Students will practice stretching and stapling/nailing the mesh to the frame, aiming for even tension as demonstrated. Students will trim off excess mesh.
Safety Adherence: Students will strictly adhere to all safety guidelines and proper tool handling during practical sessions.
Group Collaboration: Students will collaborate with peers, sharing tools and assisting each other where appropriate.
4. Guided Practice (With Solutions)
1. Question: A student needs to construct a wooden frame with internal dimensions of 25cm x 35cm. If the wooden strips used are 3cm wide and 2cm thick, what exact lengths should the student cut for the four pieces of wood, assuming butt joints?
Worked Solution: For butt joints, the width of the wood pieces must be accounted for on two sides. Let the internal dimensions be L_int = 35cm and W_int = 25cm. Let the wood width be W_wood = 3cm. The two longer side pieces will have length equal to the internal length: L1 = L_int = 35cm. The two shorter side pieces will fit between the longer pieces. So, their length will be the internal width plus two times the wood thickness (if thickness is counted for strength), or more commonly, the internal width MINUS two times the wood width if the long pieces define the outer edge and short pieces are inner. Assuming the two longer pieces form the full outer length and the shorter pieces fit between them: Two pieces will be 35 cm long (for the 'long' sides). Two pieces will be (25 cm - 2 3 cm) = (25 cm - 6 cm) = 19 cm long (for the 'short' sides).
Answer: Two pieces of wood should be cut to 35 cm, and two pieces should be cut to 19 cm.
Commentary: This question tests the student's ability to apply basic measurement and calculation skills to a practical scenario, emphasizing the importance of accurate dimensions for functional frames.
2. Question: List the sequential steps involved in securing a screen printing mesh onto a wooden frame using a staple gun.
Worked Solution:
1. Preparation: Lay the frame on a clean, flat surface. Cut the mesh, ensuring it has adequate overlap (5-10 cm) on all sides of the frame.
2. Positioning: Centre the mesh over the frame, ensuring it is smooth and wrinkle-free.
3. First Staple (Long Side 1): Place a staple in the exact middle of one long side of the frame, about 1-2 cm from the outer edge.
4. Second Staple (Opposite Long Side 2): Pull the mesh firmly across the frame towards the opposite long side. Place a staple in the middle of this second long side, maintaining initial tension.
5. Stapling Outwards (Long Side 1): Return to the first long side. Place staples outwards from the middle towards one corner, then repeat towards the other corner, maintaining consistent tension. Leave about 2-3 cm gap at the corners.
6. Stapling Outwards (Long Side 2): Repeat the stapling process for the opposite long side, continuously pulling the mesh taut before each staple to achieve even tension.
7. Stapling Short Sides: Turn to the short sides. Start from the middle, pull the mesh very taut, and staple towards the corners on both short sides.
8. Corners: Secure the corners with staples, ensuring maximum tautness.
9. Trimming: Carefully trim off the excess mesh using a sharp utility knife or scissors.
Commentary: This solution reinforces the critical, step-by-step procedure for mesh attachment, highlighting the technique for achieving proper tension and avoiding wrinkles.
3. Question: A frame has been constructed, but when checked with a try square, the corners are slightly off 90 degrees. Explain two potential problems this could cause during the screen printing process. * Worked Solution:
1. Print Misalignment (Registration Issues): If the frame is not perfectly square, any and Meshing Measuring Tools: Steel rule or measuring tape, try square (for ensuring right angles), pencil.
Cutting Tools: Hand saw (e.g., tenon saw, coping saw), mitre box (optional, for precise angle cuts).
Joining Tools: Hammer, nail punch (if using nails), C-clamps (for holding joints while glue dries), sanding block/sandpaper.
Mesh Attachment Tools: Heavy-duty staple gun (manual or electric) with appropriate staples, or small panel pins/tacks and a hammer.
Safety Gear: Safety goggles, gloves.
G. Step-by-Step Process for Making a Wooden Frame
1. Preparation and Planning: Determine the desired internal dimensions of the frame (this dictates the maximum print area). For example, a common size might be 30cm x 40cm internal dimensions. Calculate the length of the wooden strips needed. For a 30cm x 40cm internal frame, if wood width is 4cm, the outer dimensions would be 38cm x 48cm.
Therefore, two pieces of wood would be 38cm long and two pieces 48cm long for a butt joint. For a mitre joint, the calculation is slightly different as the angle cuts account for the width. Let's assume butt joints for simplicity and practical ease in schools.
2. Measurement and Marking: Measure and mark the required lengths on the wooden strips using a measuring tape and pencil. Ensure accuracy. Use a try square to mark straight lines perpendicular to the edge of the wood for cutting.
3. Cutting the Wood: Place the wood securely on a workbench or sawhorse. Carefully cut the wooden strips to the marked lengths using a hand saw. Ensure cuts are straight and square. Cut two pieces to the shorter dimension (e.g., 38cm) and two to the longer dimension (e.g., 48cm).
4. Assembling the Frame (Butt Joints): Apply wood glue to the ends of the shorter pieces. Position the shorter pieces between the longer pieces to form a rectangle. Use a try square to ensure all corners are at a perfect 90-degree angle (square). This is critical for good registration in printing. Secure the joints using nails (e.g., 1.5-inch panel pins) or screws. Drive nails carefully to avoid splitting the wood. For added strength, drill pilot holes if using screws. Allow glue to dry fully if not using screws or sufficient nails to hold it firmly. Use C-clamps to hold the frame squarely while the glue sets, if available.
5. Finishing the Frame: Once dry and secure, sand all surfaces and edges of the frame to remove splinters and create a smooth finish. This prevents damage to the mesh and allows for comfortable handling.
H. Step-by-Step Process for Attaching the Mesh to the Frame
1. Preparation of Mesh: Cut a piece of mesh that is larger than the outer dimensions of the wooden frame (e.g., 5-10 cm overlap on all sides). This allows for proper stretching and handling.
2. Positioning the Frame and Mesh: Place the wooden frame on a flat, clean surface. Lay the mesh over the frame, ensuring it is centred and evenly spread with equal overlap on all sides. The mesh should be smooth, with no wrinkles.
3. Stretching and Fastening the Mesh: Start with one long side: Place the first staple/nail in the exact middle of one long side of the frame, about 1-2 cm from the outer edge.
Opposite long side: Pull the mesh taut across the frame towards the opposite long side. Place the second staple/nail in the middle of this opposite side. The tension should be firm but not overly tight initially.
Work outwards from the middle: Return to the first long side. Place staples/nails outwards from the middle towards one corner, then repeat towards the other corner. Maintain consistent tension. Leave about 2-3 cm gap at the corners.
Repeat for the opposite long side: Repeat the stapling process for the opposite long side, continuously pulling the mesh taut before each staple, ensuring even tension across the width of the frame.
Short sides:** Turn the frame to the short sides. Starting from the middle, pull the mesh very taut and staple towards the corners on both short Frame Making Term: 2nd Term Week: 14 ---
1. Overview and Learning Objectives This topic introduces students to the fundamental skill of constructing a screen printing frame, an essential component in the screen printing process. Frame making is a foundational practical skill that equips students with an understanding of craftsmanship, material selection, and precision, critical for success in printing craft and related vocational fields in Nigeria. It connects directly to various entrepreneurial opportunities such as T-shirt printing, signage, fabric printing, and graphic design services prevalent across Nigerian communities. Upon completion of this lesson, students will be able to: Construct a basic wooden frame suitable for screen printing. Accurately attach a screen printing mesh (e.g., silk or polyester) to a wooden frame using appropriate fastening techniques. These objectives link to real-world applications by enabling students to: Create frames for various screen printing projects, contributing to personal or commercial production of printed materials (e.g., custom apparel for businesses, campaign posters, branded merchandise for local events). Understand the structural integrity required for functional printing equipment, a transferable skill for other vocational tasks. Develop precision and attention to detail, which are valuable traits for artisans and technicians in the Nigerian creative and manufacturing sectors.
2. Key Concepts and Explanations A. Introduction to Screen Printing Frames A screen printing frame is a rigid structure, usually rectangular, onto which a mesh is stretched and securely attached. It forms the foundation for the stencil and provides the necessary tension for effective ink transfer during screen printing. The quality of the frame directly impacts the quality and consistency of the print.
B. Types of Frames
1. Wooden Frames: These are traditionally used, cost-effective, and suitable for manual screen printing. They are often made from readily available timber (e.g., mahogany, obeche, iroko) and are easily constructed and repaired. Their disadvantage is susceptibility to warping and solvent absorption over time. This lesson focuses exclusively on wooden frame construction.
2. Aluminium Frames: Lighter, more durable, resistant to warping and solvents. Preferred for large-scale and automated printing due to their stability and longevity, but they are more expensive and require specialized equipment for fabrication and re-meshing. C. Components of a Wooden Frame A wooden frame typically consists of four wooden strips (side rails) joined at the corners to form a rigid rectangular or square structure.
D. Materials for Wooden Frame Construction Wood: Straight-grained, seasoned timber, free from knots, cracks, or warps. Common types in Nigeria include mahogany, obeche, or iroko, typically 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5 cm) wide and 0.75 to 1 inch (1.9 to 2.5 cm) thick. The choice of wood impacts the frame's durability and weight.
Wood Glue: Strong adhesive (e.g., PVA wood glue) for reinforcing joints.
Fasteners: Panel pins, nails, screws, or staples for securing joints and the mesh. Staples are generally preferred for mesh attachment due to ease of use and firm grip. E. Types of Mesh (Silk) The term "silk" is often used colloquially in Nigeria to refer to the screen printing mesh, even though most modern meshes are made from synthetic materials like polyester or nylon.
Polyester Mesh: Most common due to durability, resistance to chemicals, and dimensional stability.
Mesh Count: Refers to the number of threads per inch (or cm). A higher mesh count means finer threads and tighter weave, allowing for more detailed prints. Common mesh counts for general printing in Nigeria range from 80-120 (for textiles) to 150-200 (for paper/plastics). For this practical lesson, any available mesh count can be used to demonstrate the attachment process.
F. Tools for Frame Making and Meshing Measuring Tools: Steel rule or measuring tape, try square (for ensuring right angles), pencil.
Cutting Tools: Hand saw (e.g., tenon saw, coping saw), mitre box (optional, for precise angle cuts).
Joining Tools: Hammer, nail punch (if using nails), C-clamps (for holding joints while glue dries), sanding block/sandpaper.
Mesh Attachment Tools: Heavy-duty staple gun (manual or electric) with appropriate staples, or small panel pins/tacks and a hammer.
Safety Gear: Safety goggles, gloves.
G. Step-by-Step Process for Making a Wooden Frame
1. Preparation and Planning: Determine