Articles about Printing
Silk Screens for Printing Purposes
Even the most avid historian may not be aware that silk screens were once used for printing purposes. Prior to the invention of the printing press, the written word was copied on numerous variations of products that provided durability and assurance that the words would not be destroyed. Originally discovered in Asia, silk screens were utilized in printing through a form of fine fabric that was comprised of silk. Using multi-colored prints, writers were able to use silk screens to write any form of text or conceptual drawing while many still exist today. This article will explore the art of screen printing and how silk screens became the common source for being able to perform this wonderful craft.
• Screen printing
Screen printing, often referred to as silk screening or serigraphy, is a form of printing that creates a sharp edged and single colored image using a stencil and porous fabric. An imaged created while using this technique is often referred to as a serigraph. In fact, screen printing is often used today in the form of silk screens in the electrical field. In the electrical field, silk screens are used to screen print writing on a printed circuit board. Also, this process is commonly used for etching the copper wiring necessary on a circuit board.
The technology behind using silk screens for screen printing evolved in the 1960’s into a much more accepted and perfected craft from our ancestors. Increasingly growing in popularity, this method is often used in the fine arts and creation of various small-scale commercial printing for a more refined appearance of official documents. During World War 1, screen printing with the use of silk screens was extremely popular as paper to write letters and other forms of correspondence was very difficult to locate. In fact, as a result of screen printing being used during the war, most countries’ flags are created and designed from silk screens and the screen printing process.
• Creating a pattern
There are actually several methods in screen printing and creating a pattern using silk screens. The most efficient and easiest method is by using your two hands. Simply cut a piece of paper into the shape of your desire and fasten it to a silk screen. After being heat-sealed, most silk screens take the format and design of the particular shape you are creating. Numerous other artistic methods are used with silk screens to create impressionistic designs while creating the illusion of space and dimension.
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