| What image comes to mind when you think about | | | | saw the development of stenciling into the early |
| screen printers or see t-shirts with screen printing? Is | | | | forms of screen printing as tar was painted on cloth |
| your only mental picture that of a custom screen | | | | stretched and dried to produce a sort of negative |
| printed t-shirt with a logo or a cute saying of some | | | | stencil. Once the tar was dry, paint was forced |
| sort? If so, you are not alone; but, you may be | | | | through the sections of cloth free from tar to |
| surprised to learn that screen printing has a very long | | | | decorate banners and uniforms for the Crusaders. |
| and illustrious history. | | | | In the nineteenth century, the use of Japanese |
| You have probably heard of Andy Warhol, a | | | | wooden frames in the West allowed mesh material |
| distinguished artist who was known for his screen | | | | to be used. This fine, mesh fabric allowed more |
| prints. He was famous for a wide range of effects | | | | intricate designs to be accurately reproduced. In the |
| and artistic achievements in this medium. He was | | | | early twentieth century, there were additional |
| arguably a significant influence on what developed | | | | patents issued which blended the use of stencil |
| into the current decorative clothing industry. Today, | | | | technique with ink and fabric techniques. |
| screen printers may specialize in decorating apparel | | | | The more recent and final developments were |
| and other items; or, a screen printer may utilize the | | | | societal in nature. Today's screen printers can thank |
| screen printing medium for his or her artistic outlet. | | | | the era of free speech and individualism in the mid |
| Be honest now. What do you know about the origins | | | | and late twentieth century which encouraged the use |
| of screen printing? Very few people are aware that | | | | of clothing as a media for personal expression. |
| the development of screen printing in the West can | | | | Go ahead and take a stroll through a casual clothing |
| be traced back to two very early sources in history. | | | | store. When you do, you will find literally thousands |
| One source is rooted in the origins of what we know | | | | of choices to express yourself with the words or |
| today as stencil making. The other was the | | | | graphics on any number of items of clothing. And, of |
| development of ink and fabrics through the centuries. | | | | course, if you cannot find the right expression or |
| Early stencil use has been discovered dating back to | | | | design, commercial screen printers can produce a |
| the period of around 10,000 B.C. The Middle Ages | | | | custom screen printing design just as you envision it. |