siiditrükk

Siiditrükk, also known as silkscreen printing or serigraphy, is a printmaking technique in which ink is transferred onto a substrate through a mesh screen that has a stencil blocking certain areas. The ink passes only through the open parts of the screen, creating the image on the receiving surface, which can be paper, fabric, plastic, metal or other materials. Modern screens are typically made of polyester rather than silk.

History and development: The method has roots in East Asia, where silk screens were used for decorating fabrics as early as the Song dynasty. In Europe and North America, silk screen printing gained prominence in the 20th century for posters, textiles, and fine art. The term serigraphy emerged in the 1920s–1930s to distinguish the artistic use of the technique from commercial screen printing. The approach became especially influential in the art world during the 1960s, with artists such as Andy Warhol popularizing large-scale, multicolor screen prints.

Technique and variants: The process generally involves preparing a screen (traditionally silk, now often polyester), creating a stencil on the screen, and using a squeegee to force ink through the open mesh onto the substrate. Stencils can be made by blocking the mesh, applying emulsion and exposing it to light, or using cut films. Inks vary from plastisol and solvent-based inks to water-based and UV-curable inks, chosen according to substrate and desired finish. Registration techniques allow multiple colors to be printed in precise alignment.

Applications and significance: Siiditrükk is widely used in fine art printing, posters, textiles, signage and commercial labeling. It offers high color opacity, durability, and cost-effectiveness for both limited and large-scale production, while enabling printing on diverse surfaces and uneven geometries.