Esperanto Textiles, In Depth

Silkscreen prints can be as simple as a single colored, simplistic shape to a very complex multi-colored, intricate design, but the process to produce each is basically the same. The ability of the designer to think dimensionally is key as the design is laid out in color sections, with each color requiring its own screen and each screen aligning to achieve the desired design.

Once, a design has been separated into color elements, a film positive of each element of the design is transferred to a special film and cut out. The film is positioned in the correct location on a screen prepared with an emulsion coating. The screen is then burned with a focused bright light – almost like a

camera taking a picture. The film is removed and the unburned emulsion under is washed away, which allows the ink to penetrate the screen in that area.

Though the design and the preparation of the screen play a vital part in getting to a quality piece the printing itself requires great skill and artistry. The amount of ink, the pressure applied, and the flow of the squeegee, especially when printing large screens with two people is key. The positioning of the screens on the fabric also require much practice and patience, but the results of a finely crafted silkscreen print is much to be admired in this age of computer generated design and automated execution.