Screen printing is an ancient process for printing on any material. It is also possible to print on cylinders with the help of new machinery, which would be impossible with traditional screen printing methods. Today's original silk used for a screen has been replaced by nylon material with a very tight mesh. It still has the feel and looks of silk, though.
The screen material is laid out on a frame, often made of wood. It is like a screen window in your home, although the screen mesh is tight, which means that the weave is very close to each other. The screen is coated on both sides with emulsion. The emulsion is photosensitive material that covers the nylon mesh. When exposed to light, the emulsion screen is hardened and bonds with the mesh. Nothing happens to the emulsion where light is prevented from reaching it, washed away later. There are three main steps involved in this process. One is to create artwork, image, or text and turn it into a film. The film is transparent with art or black text. The second is to place the film on top of the screen and place it in front of a light source for a predetermined time. Next, you will place your screen on top of the material to be printed and drag the ink over it with a squeegee. If we want to print the letters "XYZ," we will start by making a film with three characters, perhaps in the center. The three characters in this film will be black, and the rest will be transparent. This piece of film is laid flat on the screen, and a piece of glass is spread out over it not to move. When exposed to light, the transparent parts of the film harden the emulsion and make it permanent on the screen. After exposure, the screen is washed under running water, and the parts of the emulsion that did not come in contact with light are washed off. In this scenario, our screen will have the letters "XYZ," where the ink will pass, and it will print whatever material is underneath because the unexposed emulsion will wash off. If we want to print each letter in a different color, we will need a separate screen for each of the three letters, but we have to keep each letter in the correct position so that they are not printed on top of each other or out of position. Screen printing is a great way to print on fabric and paper, among many other things. Screenprints make great display pieces in your home and if you are looking for some inspiring art, check out the works of Ricardo Pimentel, an artist in Norfolk who specializes in screen prints and photographic media. His works will provoke your thinking and actions, as the artist aims to achieve with his work. Whether you appreciate the art of need conversation starters in your home, you should have a look at Ricardo's collection over at his website.