Screenprinting

Screenprinting is the medium that was used prolifically by the likes of Andy Warhol and Roy Lichenstein and is a very popular printmaking technique whereby a mesh screen and light-sensitive emulsion is used to create a stencil that enables transfer of ink onto fabric or paper.

Process one

The artwork consists of either a drawing done on transparent film or a photograph digitally printed onto transparent film. The image is laid onto the exposure unit and a fine mesh screen coated with light sensitive emulsion is laid on top.

A man writing with a fountain pen on an illustration of a man's head
Screenprinting process where the emulsion ink is washed off where it hasn't been dried due to the illustration blocking light
Process two

The emulsion hardens where the light hits it and remains soft where it is blocked by the drawing. This soft emulsion is washed out to create a stencil.

Process three

The screen is fixed onto a print bed and a rubber squeegee is used to push the ink through the screen stencil to transfer the image onto the paper below.

Screenprinting technique, a person has the stencil above the paper and uses a rubber squeegee to push the ink through onto the paper

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