potisk

Potisk is a Czech noun that denotes an imprint, impression, or printing on a surface, created by pressing or applying ink, paint, or pigment. The word derives from tisk (to press or print) with the prefix po-, indicating the resulting mark. In everyday usage, potisk can refer to any finished marking produced by printing processes, regardless of the substrate.

In printing on paper and other flat surfaces, potisk designates the activity of applying ink to transfer an image or text onto a material, including commercial printing, stamping, and embossing. It can also describe the visible result—the printed image, text, or pattern.

In textiles and apparel, potisk is the decorative printing of patterns or motifs on fabric or garments. Common techniques include screen printing, digital direct-to-garment printing, and heat-transfer methods. The choice of technique affects colorfastness, feel, and durability.

In ceramics, pottery, and metalwork, potisk can refer to an impression or relief created by pressing a stamp or roller into the surface, or by applying a glaze or pigment that remains as a pattern after firing or firing. It is used for decoration as well as for branding or identification marks.

Durability and care depend on the method, substrate, and inks or glazes used. Potisk techniques vary across industries and historical periods, reflecting local technologies and aesthetics.