What's Silk Screen ?

Silk screen prints, also known as serigraphs, are a type of fine art printmaking where ink is forced through a stenciled mesh screen onto a substrate, most commonly paper or fabric. This process creates vibrant, often bold, and durable images.

Here's a breakdown of key aspects of silk screen prints:

The Process:

  1. Design Creation: The artwork is prepared, often separated into layers for each color.
  2. Screen Preparation: A fine mesh screen (originally silk, now often synthetic materials) is stretched tightly over a frame.
  3. Stencil Creation: A stencil is created on the screen, blocking off areas where ink should not pass. Various methods exist:
    • Hand-cut stencils: Paper or film is cut and adhered to the screen.
    • Photo emulsion: A light-sensitive emulsion is applied to the screen. A film positive of the design is placed on the screen and exposed to light. The unexposed emulsion is washed away, leaving the stencil.
  4. Printing: The screen is placed over the substrate. Ink is spread across the top of the screen, and a squeegee is used to pull the ink evenly across the screen, forcing it through the open areas of the stencil onto the material below.
  5. Drying and Curing: The print is then dried, and often heat-cured, to set the ink.
  6. Multiple Colors: For multi-colored prints, a separate screen and stencil are required for each color, and the substrate is printed layer by layer, requiring careful registration (alignment).

Key Characteristics of Silk Screen Prints:

  • Bold Colors: Silk screening allows for thick ink deposits, resulting in vibrant and opaque colors.
  • Durability: The prints are often very durable and long-lasting.
  • Versatility: It can be used on a wide range of materials, including paper, fabric, wood, plastic, and metal.
  • Layering: Colors are built up in layers, creating depth and complexity.
  • Hand-Pulled Quality: Each print has a unique, hand-crafted feel.
  • Limited Editions: Fine art silk screen prints are often produced in limited editions.

History:

  • Early Origins: The roots of screen printing can be traced back to ancient China during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD), where stencils were used to transfer designs onto fabric. Japan also developed sophisticated stencil techniques.
  • Introduction to the West: The process arrived in Western Europe in the 18th century but didn't gain widespread use until the early 20th century.
  • Modern Development: Samuel Simon in England patented a modern screen printing process in 1907. John Pilsworth in the US later patented multi-color screen printing in 1914.
  • Commercial Popularity: Screen printing became commercially popular in the early 20th century, particularly for printing flags, banners, and advertisements.
  • Artistic Medium (Serigraphy): In the 1930s, artists in the US began to explore the artistic potential of screen printing, coining the term "serigraphy" to distinguish it from industrial applications.
  • Pop Art Era: Artists like Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Robert Rauschenberg in the 1960s embraced screen printing, elevating it to a significant fine art form. Warhol's iconic Marilyn Monroe and Campbell's Soup prints are prime examples.

Why Artists Choose Silk Screen Printing:

  • Directness and Control: Artists have direct control over the application of ink and the layering of colors.
  • Bold Visual Impact: The process allows for strong, graphic imagery and vibrant color combinations.
  • Reproducibility with Variation: While editions are produced, subtle variations can occur in hand-pulled prints, giving each one a unique character.
  • Scale: Screen printing can be used to create both small and very large-scale prints.