In a few words we can say that Silk-Screen or Serigraphy is the technique of applying a design, art or figure on a surface with ink through a screen.
If we talk about the custom or personalized t-shirts printing, Silk-Screen is the most used methods.
T-shirts printed with silk screen printing in Dallas technique can be used on:
- fairs,
- events,
- companies,
- ceremonies,
- parties.
They can also be fun, themed or seasonal t-shirts.
To know the silk screen printing it in a broader way ands its history, we need to go back in time a little more and know what a Stencil is.
As a result, this method serves as the foundation for the serigraphy we use today.
Screen printing is a more sophisticated technique than stenciling.
What is Stencil or Stencil?
The stencil can be described as a clipping mask.
Technique of applying designs to surfaces through a cut or perforation, that is, a plate with a leaked design through which the paint passes.
In China, the stencil was widely used as a mask to print fabrics, known as cut-papers.
In Japan, this process gained prominence because the armor of the samurai and their horses received emblems using the Stencil.
There are reports that many indigenous peoples used this technique with leaves and plant extracts.
Even today we can see art using this technique, many graffiti artists use these hollow molds.
History of Silk-Screen
Around 9000 BC, Egyptian tombs were decorated using the Stencil technique, the principle of screen printing.
The Greeks also made mosaics at that time using the same technique.
In order to transmit patterns onto textiles, screen printing was invented in China during the Song Dynasty (960–1279).
It arrived in Europe in the 17th century, in the meantime France already used this technique to print fabrics.
Due to demand for more elaborate work, combed silk took the place of ancient Japanese masks, and was patented and used by Samuel Simon .
So he used this technique to print wallpapers.
In the 20th century the squeegee was introduced in order to facilitate the process of transferring paint to the surface.
During World War II the military produced propaganda posters, aircraft decals and even the first circuits.
They realized that Screen Printing is a very versatile technique to use on signage, cups, bottles and textiles.
In the 1930s, plastic artists began to use this technique for their works of art on paper, hence the term serigraphy.
It certainly became very popular in the 60’s with Pop Art.
Where does the term serigraphy come from?
The term Serigraphy is the combination of two words: serigraph (in English), from the Greek sericos (silk), and graphos (write) credited to Anthony Velonis, to modify the commercial aspects associated with the process of the artists of the time.
National Serigraphic Society was created from the group of artists who at that time used silkscreen as an art.
Where does the name Silk-Screen come from?
Finally, the term Silk-Screen came when the technique spread in the USA.