Screenprinting

Screen printing, also known as screen printing or silkscreen printing, is a technique in which ink is transferred to a substrate through a mesh stencil. A screen is prepared with a design blocked out by a stencil, and a squeegee forces ink through the open mesh onto the surface below. Areas blocked by the stencil remain ink-free, producing the desired image.

The process typically begins with creating a stencil on the screen, often by coating the mesh with a photosensitive emulsion and exposing it to UV light through a film positive of the design. After washing away unexposed emulsion, the screen is mounted in a frame. The substrate is placed beneath the screen, ink is spread across the top, and a squeegee passes over the screen to push ink through the open areas. The print is then cured or dried to set the ink. In textile work, multiple passes with different screens enable multicolor designs.

Materials and equipment include screen frames with mesh, emulsion or stencil materials, an exposure unit, squeegees, and various inks such as plastisol or water-based inks. Substrates range from textiles (notably t-shirts) to paper, plastics, glass, and ceramics.

History and uses: screen printing has ancient roots in silk and other fabrics, with modern practice developing in the 20th century for posters, garments, and signage. It remains popular for its versatility, durability, and ability to print on irregular surfaces and large formats. Considerations include color opacity, registration for multi-color designs, cleanup, and environmental handling of inks and solvents.