serigraphs

Serigraphy, also known as screen printing or silk screen printing, is a printmaking process that uses a woven mesh screen to transfer ink onto a substrate, except where blocked by a stencil. The technique can be used on paper, canvas, fabric, and other materials, and is renowned for its ability to produce vivid colors and flat, uniform areas of ink.

Operation involves stretching a screen, applying a light-sensitive emulsion, and exposing a design through a positive to create a stencil on the mesh. Ink is then pressed through the open areas with a squeegee onto the substrate. For multi-color images, separate screens are prepared for each color, and successive passes create the final composite. After printing, the prints are dried, and editioned with signatures and numbers.

History and usage: The technique has earlier roots in Asia, but it was developed as a fine-art process in the 20th century. In the United States, serigraphy gained prominence in the 1960s, with Andy Warhol popularizing large-scale, color-rich screen prints. Since then, serigraphy has remained a major medium for contemporary art and for limited-edition posters and commercial graphics.

Characteristics and comparison: Serigraphy provides strong color saturation, opaque blacks, and the ability to print on unconventional substrates. It is distinct from lithography, which relies on the immiscibility of oil and water on a flat plate. Limitations include registration challenges, ink drying times, and screen wear. Modern practice often combines serigraphy with photography, digital image preparation, and multiple ink layers.

Examples and artists: Notable practitioners include Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and Robert Rauschenberg, with contemporary artists such as Shepard Fairey continuing to use serigraphy for posters and fine-art prints. Serigraphy remains widely used for posters, limited-edition fine art, and fabric printing.