Screen Printing, also known as serigraphy, is a versatile and widely used printmaking technique that involves forcing ink through a mesh screen onto a substrate. The process leverages stencils to block ink in specific areas, allowing the ink to pass through the open areas and create a defined image on the printing surface. This method is celebrated for its ability to produce vibrant colors and bold designs on a variety of materials, from paper and fabric to wood and plastic.
Understanding the Screen Printing Process and Materials
At the heart of screen printing is the screen itself. This crucial tool consists of a fine mesh, traditionally made of silk but now more commonly from synthetic fabrics like terylene, stretched tightly over a frame, typically constructed from metal or wood. This taut mesh acts as the support for the stencil and the conduit for the ink.
The creation of stencils is a key step in screen printing, determining the final image. Stencils can be made from diverse materials including fabric, greasy paints, or designs on transparent films. These stencils are applied to the screen through various methods. Direct application involves placing or painting the stencil directly onto the screen. A popular modern technique utilizes photo-sensitive emulsion to transfer designs from transparencies or Mylar film onto the screen. These designs can originate from hand-drawn artwork using opaque ink, prints on transparency film, or cuts from UV-masking films like rubylith.
Preparing the Screen with Photo Emulsion
To prepare a screen using the photo-sensitive emulsion method, the screen is first coated evenly with a thin layer of the emulsion. This is achieved using a scoop coater, a specialized metal tool with a smooth, even edge that ensures consistent application.
Once the photo emulsion is completely dry, the design, pre-printed on a transparency, is carefully placed in direct contact against the emulsion-coated screen.
Exposing the Design and Creating the Stencil
The screen with the transparency design is then placed in an exposure unit, which emits ultraviolet (UV) light. During the exposure process, the areas of the emulsion not covered by the opaque design on the transparency are hardened by the UV light. Conversely, the emulsion underneath the design remains soft and unexposed.
Following exposure, the unhardened emulsion is washed away, typically with water. This crucial step reveals the design on the screen, effectively creating the stencil. The areas where the emulsion was washed out are now open mesh, ready for ink to pass through, while the hardened emulsion areas block the ink.
The Printing Stage: Inking and Squeegee Technique
With the screen stencil prepared, it is then mounted onto a printing setup. This often involves hinges attached to a board or a dedicated screen printing table. These tables may include a vacuum system to secure paper firmly during the printing process, ensuring precision. A bead of screen printing ink is applied along one edge of the screen. Using a squeegee, the ink is drawn evenly across the screen in a motion known as “flooding the screen,” ensuring the stencil is fully covered with ink.
Next, the material to be printed on, such as paper or fabric, is placed beneath the screen. With a firm, controlled stroke of the squeegee, the ink is forced through the open areas of the stencil and onto the material below, transferring the design. The printed impression faithfully mirrors the stencil design.
For multi-colored screen prints, the process is repeated for each color, requiring a separate stencil for each. Precise registration is essential to align colors accurately and maintain the integrity of the final image. Printmakers employ meticulous registration techniques to ensure each color layer aligns perfectly with the others.
Screen printing stands as a dynamic and adaptable printmaking method, valued for its capacity to create bold, durable prints across numerous applications, from fine art to commercial products.
Liz Zanis (American, born 1980). Memory Sticks, from APS Certificate, 2018. Screenprint and screen. Courtesy of the artist
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Marquee image: Derrick Adams (American, born 1970). Game Changing (detail), 2015. Screenprint, gold leaf, sheet (each): 30 x 22 in. (76.2 x 55.9 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, John B. Turner Fund, 2015 (2015.404.1–.4). © Derrick Adams
