Screen Printing is absolutely perfect to provide the high quality, durable finish that many of our customers desire. Did you know though that this process is far from new? In fact, Screen Printing was first documented as being used in China during the period 960–1279 AD!!
It is truly amazing to see how the process has evolved over time to be able to produce the stunning results now possible but we thought that it might be interesting to take a look at at how things have moved on.
Early Introduction
Screen printing was largely introduced to Western Europe from Asia sometime in the late 18th century, but did not gain large acceptance or use in Europe until silk mesh was more available for trade from the east and a profitable outlet for the medium discovered.
Early in the 1910s, several printers experimenting with photo-reactive chemicals used the well-known actinic light–activated cross linking or hardening traits of potassium, sodium or ammonium chromate and dichromate chemicals with glues and gelatin compounds.
Roy Beck, Charles Peter and Edward Owens studied and experimented with chromic acid salt sensitized emulsions for photo-reactive stencils. This trio of developers would prove to revolutionize the commercial screen printing industry by introducing photo-imaged stencils to the industry, though the acceptance of this method would take many years.
1960s to Present Day
Moving things to modern day, credit is generally given to the artist Andy Warhol for popularising screen printing as an artistic technique, identified as serigraphy, in the United States. Warhol was supported in his production by master Screen Printer Michel Caza, a founding member of Fespa, and is particularly identified with his 1962 depiction of actress Marilyn Monroe, screen printed in garish colours.
Screen printing lends itself well to printing on canvas. Andy Warhol, Arthur Okamura, Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Lichtenstein, Harry Gottlieb and many other artists have used screen printing as an expression of creativity and artistic vision.
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Key Screen Printing Materials
To achieve the best possible results, screen printing materials have also grown and evolved and some of the key screen printing material currently available include:
- Caviar beads
- Cracking ink
- Discharge inks
- Expanding ink
- Flocking
- Foil
- Glitter/Shimmer
- Gloss
- Metallic
- Mirrored silver
- Nylobond
- Plastisol
- PVC and Phthalate Free
- Suede Ink
- Water-Based inks
- High Build
For more information about our screen printing services, please visit the dedicated area of our website by clicking here. Alternatively we will be happy to answer any of your questions, simply contact us via e-mail – [email protected] or via Tel. No. 020 8330 3040.
Currently Browsing: The History of Screen Printing
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