Screen Process Printing
Another printing method is to print by forcing ink through openings or holes in a stencil. Stencil controls what is to be printed. Basically a stencil is nothing more than a thin sheet paper, film, or other nonporous material with lettering or a design cut through. The lettering or design is right reading, not reversed. Stencils for screen process printing may be hand cut from paper or film, prepared photographically, or painted directly on the screen.
A stencil with open areas representing the desired image must be adhered to a screen. A screen is a piece of woven material, such as silk, nylon, dacron or stainless steel mesh, stretched tightly over a wooden or metal frame. The frame serves as the printing press in screen process printing.
Screen process printing is easy to understand. After paper is placed under the printing screen, ink with a paint like consistency is applied to the top of the screen. Finally, the ink is spread and forced through stencil openings onto the paper below the screen. This is done by pulling a rubber squeegee over the screen.
The idea of applying decorations to objects by stencilling is very old. Evidence shows that stenciling techniques were widely used in China to decorate pottery and other objects. Screen process printing developed rapidly during the early twentieth century. A wide variety of stencil materials has been developed over the years. Today just about any surface of any shape or size can be printed using screen process methods.
Edity by Vikas
4 April, 2012
