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Screen printing is basically a stencil printing process in which ink is forced through a screen of fine mesh to create a printed image. Although it is a relatively straightforward method of printing, a screen print undergoes a number of complex processes before it is finally completed .
Initially I design a screen print, experimenting with many different drawings and layouts. After hours of contemplation a final master plan of a proposed print is drawn. Each colour of the planned image is then painstakingly redrawn in Indian ink onto separate pieces of clear film. When all these pieces of film are overlayed on top of each other they fit together to form the complete image.
This separated artwork now has to be transferred onto screens. A fine mesh fabric such as nylon or silk is stretched taut over a wooden or metal frame, it is then permanently fixed to the frame. This is a screen. Transposing the artwork to the screens , stencils are now made. Each piece of artwork has its own stencil and screen.
When all these lengthy processes have been undertaken the image is finally ready to print. Using a rubber bladed squeegee, ink is pulled across the stencil forcing it through the screen onto the art paper underneath.Gradually, by printing each colour in this way, on top of each other, the image fuses together in layers of printed colour and a screen print is created.
dh 1993
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