Chicago BYOT Screen Printing Workshop: Make Your Own Art Tee

Print your own tee in 90 minutes. This Chicago BYOT screen printing workshop teaches the basics and gets you out the door with wearable art made from a shirt you already own. You’ll work with professional equipment and inks, guided step by step, while choosing from premade modular designs.

What I like most is how beginner-friendly it feels without turning into a watered-down demo. You can mix and match from 20+ screen designs, and the class is set up for first timers with no experience or special art skills. One thing to consider: you must bring your own t-shirt or sweatshirt, and custom artwork requests are not handled inside the standard class.

Quick Hits If You Want the Good Stuff

• Beginner-friendly screen printing with expert instruction, no experience needed
• 20+ premade modular screens to mix and match for bold, playful results
• BYOT upcycled tee means you leave with a finished garment using your own shirt
• Small group limit (max 10) for hands-on coaching
• English instruction and a mobile ticket for simple entry
• Custom designs are separate, so plan to choose from the premade options during class

Making Your Own Wearable Art With BYOT Shirts

This experience is built around a simple idea: take a shirt you already have, then turn it into something you actually want to wear again. You’ll learn screen printing fundamentals and use a guided process to pull ink and transfer a design onto your garment. The payoff is instant and physical, not theoretical, which is why this kind of class is such a good reset while you’re traveling.

Because it’s BYOT, the workshop also feels practical. You’re not buying materials on top of the ticket. Instead, you arrive with a t-shirt or sweatshirt, you print on it, and you walk out with a one-of-a-kind piece. That upcycled angle matters, especially if you like bringing home something personal rather than a souvenir that collects dust.

There’s also a nice honesty in how it’s framed. You’ll get coaching on the printing basics and the ink-pulling process, and you’ll talk about design and screen prep if questions come up. But the class does not promise custom screen prep or bespoke design creation. You’re learning how screen printing works through doing, not through building every step from scratch.

Meeting at Remade in Chicago on N Western Ave

You’ll start at Remade in Chicago, 2336 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647. It’s an easy setup for a quick creative stop in the city because it’s near public transportation, and that helps if you’re mixing this with other Chicago plans.

The location also signals the vibe: this isn’t a random pop-up counter. It’s a dedicated screen printing workshop setting, and that matters because screen printing needs space and equipment. You’ll be able to move, print, and get instruction without the class feeling squeezed.

Plan to arrive a few minutes early. The workshop runs about 1 hour 30 minutes, and with a small group, you want to be ready to go when it starts. Also, confirmation comes at booking, and you use a mobile ticket, which keeps things smooth once you’re there.

The 90-Minute Class Flow: Learn Basics, Then Print

The total time is about 1 hour 30 minutes, so the workshop is structured to give you real momentum. You’re not waiting around for a long lecture. You start with introductions and screen printing basics, then move into the ink-pulling and transfer portion with coaching.

Here’s what that means for your experience on the ground. You’ll be shown how the process works, then you’ll practice using professional equipment and inks. Since the class is designed for beginners, the pace is meant to be doable even if you’ve never held printing tools before.

A key point: you’re not expected to prep or design screens from scratch during this session. If you’re curious about how screens are designed and prepped, you can ask questions and get a walkthrough of the concept. But the practical work you’re doing here is the printing side, the part that ends with ink going onto fabric.

At the end, the class ends back at the meeting point, and you leave with your printed, wearable art. That direct “do it, then take it” structure is a big part of the appeal, especially if your schedule is tight.

Choosing From 20+ Premade Modular Screens

One of the best ways this workshop saves you time is by removing the hardest step: starting from a blank design. Instead, you pick from 20+ premade screen designs. The class even describes the screens as bold and playful, and they’re modular, which means you can combine elements for a more custom look without needing design skills.

This setup is great if you:

• Want a result that looks intentional, not random
• Are traveling and don’t want to spend time sketching
• Like the idea of remixing a style by choosing parts

It’s also a smarter option for beginners. When you’re learning a hands-on craft, design complexity can overwhelm the basics. By giving you a menu of options, the class keeps your focus on learning screen printing technique, not drawing.

If you have a custom design request, you’ll need to contact the provider directly to make arrangements. So treat this as a “use the premade toolkit to create your own tee” class. You’ll still get variety, because picking screens and combining modular elements can produce plenty of different looks.

Equipment, Inks, and What Your $60 Covers

At $60 per person for about 1 hour 30 minutes, you’re paying for guided instruction plus the tools you need to print. The workshop includes:

• 20+ screen designs to choose from
• Use of professional screen printing equipment and inks
• Expert instruction

BYOT is required, so the ticket is not meant to cover a shirt. That price structure is often better value for travelers because you can bring a shirt from home or pick one up before you go, rather than paying for an additional garment at the venue.

The “professional equipment and inks” line is important. Screen printing is messy if you don’t have the right setup. Here, you get access to the gear that makes the process work, without you needing to figure it out on your own.

The expert instruction is the safety net for first timers. When a class is hands-on but short, the guidance quality matters. You’re not just left with instructions on a wall. You’re coached through the ink-pulling process so you know what you’re aiming for.

Also, the group size is capped at 10 travelers. Smaller groups tend to mean more attention while you’re learning a physical skill. It’s the difference between feeling like you’re watching and feeling like you’re actually doing.

What I’d Bring to Get the Best Result

This workshop is refreshingly simple: bring a t-shirt or sweatshirt you’re willing to print on. That’s the main item. Since the class is BYOT, you should think about fabric and condition in a practical way.

Here are smart, low-stress choices:

• Bring a shirt you actually like enough to wear after it gets printed
• Choose something in good condition, since you’ll be applying ink over the fabric
• If your shirt is very faded, stretched, or has heavy wear, you might find the final look less crisp than you want

You’ll be using professional equipment and inks during the session, so you don’t need to pack screen printing supplies. The class also runs in English, so plan to follow instruction in that language and ask questions as needed.

One more planning note: this class is on mobile ticket entry and offers confirmation at booking. You’ll want the ticket ready on your phone so you can check in smoothly.

Who Should Book This Chicago Screen Printing Workshop?

This is ideal if you want a creative Chicago experience that feels hands-on and satisfying. It also fits well for short trips because you get a finished wearable item without needing a full day.

It’s especially good for:

• First-timers who want to learn by doing
• Girls trips, friends trips, and groups that want a shared activity
• Travelers who like bringing home something personal and practical

In the feedback, this kind of workshop consistently lands well as a first project. The class is set up for people with zero experience, and the instructor is described as friendly and resourceful, which matters when you’re trying something new under time pressure.

Who might not love it?

• If you want a fully custom art session, you’ll likely be happier arranging custom design requests directly, since the standard class uses premade screens
• If you’re hoping the shirt is provided, you’ll need to plan around BYOT
• If you want a long, slow craft day, the timing is closer to quick and focused than relaxed and open-ended

Value Check: Is $60 a Good Deal Here?

For many travelers, $60 can feel like a decision point. Here’s why it’s easier to justify.

You’re paying for three things you’d otherwise have to figure out separately:

1) Guided instruction for a hands-on skill

2) Access to professional screen printing equipment and inks

3) Premade designs so you can focus on printing, not starting from scratch

You’re also taking home a tangible product made during the class: your printed t-shirt or sweatshirt. That turns the cost into something concrete rather than just an activity you attended.

The “instant gratification” angle is real here because you’re leaving with a finished wearable art item. And the small group size helps protect that value, since you’re not competing with a crowd for attention while you learn technique.

One practical value tip: bring a shirt you’re excited to wear. That way, even if your first print is more you-learning-than-perfect, you still end up with something fun and personal.

Should You Book This Chicago BYOT Screen Printing Class?

I think you should book if you want a beginner-friendly, hands-on creative experience that ends with a garment you’ll actually use. The combination of BYOT practicality, premade 20+ modular screens, and expert coaching makes it a strong use of a small chunk of time in Chicago.

Book it if:

• You’re traveling with friends and want a shared activity that produces real results
• You like the idea of remixing a design rather than building one from scratch
• You want to learn the basics of screen printing without the intimidation

Skip it if:

• You need custom artwork as part of the standard session
• You don’t want to bring a shirt with you
• Your schedule can’t handle about 1.5 hours for a focused workshop

If you do book, plan for it. This experience is often booked around 7 days in advance, so earlier is safer if your trip dates are fixed.

FAQ

What is the price for the Chicago BYOT Screen Printing Workshop?

The price is $60.00 per person.

How long does the screen printing workshop last?

It lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Do I need to bring a shirt?

Yes. BYOT is required, meaning you must bring your own t-shirt or sweatshirt.

What’s included in the workshop fee?

You get use of professional screen printing equipment and inks, expert instruction, and 20+ screen designs.

Does the class include custom design printing?

Custom design requests are not part of the standard workshop. If you want something custom, you’ll need to contact the provider directly to arrange it.

Where does the workshop meet?

The start location is Remade in Chicago, 2336 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What language is the workshop offered in?

The workshop is offered in English.

How big is the group?

The workshop has a maximum of 10 travelers.

Is it possible to cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Cancellation cut-off is based on the experience’s local time.

Is this near public transportation, and are service animals allowed?

The meeting point is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed.