serigraphy

Serigraphy, also known as screen printing or silk screen printing, is a printmaking technique in which ink is applied to a substrate through a fine mesh screen that has a stencil blocking certain areas. Ink is forced through the open mesh with a squeegee, while areas blocked by the stencil remain ink-free. The technique can produce bold areas of color and is used on paper, fabric, plastic, metal, and glass. The term serigraphy derives from sericum, meaning silk, referring to the original silk meshes used in early methods; modern practice uses synthetic meshes.

Process: A stencil is created on a screen by blocking areas of the mesh. The screen is positioned over the substrate, ink is placed at the top, and a squeegee is drawn across to push ink through the open areas. For multiple colors, separate stencils and color layers are used with careful registration. Modern serigraphy often uses photo-emulsion or other stencil methods to create detailed images. Printing can be manual or automated; inks can be water-based or solvent-based; heat setting or curing steps may be required depending on substrate and ink.

History and scope: Serigraphy gained prominence as a fine art printmaking method in the 20th century, emphasizing art reproduction, color control, and large formats. The term "serigraphy" is used in fine arts contexts to reflect artistic intent and to avoid the word "silk." It evolved with advances in stencil-making, screen meshes, and inks, and later with photographic and digital prepress techniques.

Applications and characteristics: Advantages include high color density, versatility for large formats, and relatively low setup costs for multiple impressions. Limitations include challenges with ink buildup, stencil wear, and registration accuracy. It remains widely used for posters, fine art prints, textiles, and various commercial graphics.