Silk-Screen Printing for Artists and Craftsmen

Book excerpt: Screen printing is simple enough for a child or beginner, but it is also a favorite printing process of experienced artists and craftspeople. It allows for a wide range of creative possibilities. It is less inhibiting than other printing processes. And, contrary to most other methods of printing, it does not require the user to make the mental translations of a reversed image. The extreme versatility of the medium has opened completely new possibilities for design and expression in both serigraphy (art prints) and textile designs. The Schwalbachs' book clearly explains how to employ silk-screen printing in both of these areas: producing a serigraph and making a fabric print. It also sets down all of the steps involved in constructing a printing board and frame, keying the screen, preparing inks or dyes, and printing the color runs — plus a list of various problems that might turn up and their solutions. Other facets discussed include the best ways of cleaning up, handling the completed print, and working with different resists — paper, blockout, washout, photo-emulsion. There is even a special print project for the beginner, using a cardboard frame and school tempera paint. Nearly 200 diagrams and photographs, including 19 in full color, make a clear text even clearer and offer examples of completed prints. The Schwalbachs taught silk-screen printing for many years at the University of Wisconsin. They know how to communicate the essence of this craft in the best manner possible. With their book as a guide, anyone can quickly master the techniques of silk-screening printing.