Screen printing is very quickly reemerging as an everyday technique—from concert posters to eco-friendly custom tees, it’s a beloved and versatile art form. But this technique has roots that reach back over a thousand years. As Printed by US is very passionate about the art of screen printing, we wanted to look back at the journey of screen printing. We can gain insight into not only the technical evolution of the craft but also its impact on creativity, community, and mental well-being.
First things first - What is Screen Printing?
Screen printing is a printing technique where a mesh is used to transfer ink or dye onto a base, such as a t-shirt or piece of card, except in areas that are blocked out. A squeegee is moved across the screen to fill the open mesh with ink, and a reverse stroke then causes the screen to touch the base in order to transfer the ink. One colour is printed at a time, so several screens can be used to produce a multi-coloured image or design.
A Thousand-Year Legacy: From Ancient China to Modern Art
Screen printing originated in China during the Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD) as a way to transfer intricate designs onto fabric. Early practitioners would use a simple, hand-cut stencil method, allowing them to create detailed patterns on textiles. Shortly after, Japanese crafters adopted similar techniques, using woven human hair as mesh to produce delicate imagery on fabric.
By the 18th century, the craft spread to Europe, where silk imported from Asia began to be stretched over wooden frames to support stencils. This adaptation allowed for more intricate designs and faster printing processes, and the medium quickly grew in popularity across Europe.
It wasn't until 1907 that an Englishman named Samuel Simon took screen printing one step further by patenting the first modern screen printing system. Simon’s innovation involved drawing a stencil onto bolting cloth stretched across a wooden frame. Though this method made the art of screen printing more efficient, the process was still primarily limited to luxury items available only to the wealthy.
The Rise of Modern Screen Printing
The early 20th century saw further innovations that would bring screen printing into the mainstream. A group of three American entrepreneurs, often called the ‘Fathers of screen printing’, along with Samuel Simon, revolutionised the industry by introducing photo-imaged stencils, and introducing the iconic screen printing tool, the squeegee! These men were Roy Beck, Charles Peter, and Edward Owens. Their new technique used light-reactive chemicals to create precise designs. This technique allowed screen printing to be used for commercial purposes on a larger scale, from wallpaper to advertising posters. It’s a testament to their ingenuity that similar techniques, albeit with safer chemicals, are still in use today.
Furthermore, in 1938, a group of artists formed the National Serigraph Society, which included artists such as Max Arthur Cohn and Anthony Velonis. This society coined the term Serigraphy (a term meaning “seri” silk in Latin and “graphein” to draw in Greek) as a way to differentiate their own artistic application of screen printing on to paper from the growing, industrial, commercial use of the process.
In 1960, American entrepreneur, artist and inventor Michael Vasilantone created, developed, used, and sold a rotatable multi-color garment screen printing machine, which we now know as the carousel! This equipment is still widely used today, including by us at Printed by Us.
By the late 1960s, screen printing became a favourite of iconic artists like Andy Warhol, Peter Blake and Robert Rauschenberg, who used it to create iconic works that embraced bold colours and striking aesthetics. Warhol’s famous print of Marilyn Monroe is one of the most recognizable examples, proving how screen printing could blur the line between commercial art and fine art.
Screen Printing in Modern Design: Versatility and Technique
Today, screen printing is one of the most versatile of all printing processes. As of 2014 it was the second most profitable form of apparel decorating in the US, surpassed only by embroidery. It allows artists to transfer designs onto a multitude of surfaces, from paper to fabric to wood.
At Printed by Us, we use screen printing to help us create ethical, long wear clothing and prints that are not only vibrant and intricate, but also extremely high quality and eco-friendly. We use the ‘Spot Colour’ method, but there are many different techniques to utilise.
One of the most popular variations of screen printing for industrial use is the CMYK method (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black), which allows for rich colour blending and is widely used for creating posters, fine art, and other large-format prints.
At its core, the process hasn’t changed much since Samuel Simon’s time, but its applications have broadened, making it accessible to everyone from high-end artists to independent t-shirt designers.
Screen Printing and Wellbeing: The Art of Slowing Down
While screen printing is undeniably a technical process, it also has therapeutic benefits. Art and mental health have many intersections. Creating a screen-printed piece is a process-heavy, hands-on activity that requires patience and focus, as you can only print one colour at a time, and the ink has to dry. By focusing on each careful pull of the squeegee, you’re invited to be fully engaged in the act of creation, which can serve as a mental break and a way to recharge. This, in turn, can enhance focus and productivity when returning to professional work. Creative hobbies also provide a healthy balance between work and personal life. This balance is essential for our wellbeing, reducing stress and promoting a positive mindset. Any form of art will release dopamine - nature's antidepressant - and help focus your mind.
Becca Gurney of Art & Design faculty at Saint Michael’s College notes, “It takes patience. You have to slow down with it. There is no way for it to be instant. A piece of taking care of your mental health is slowing down and being in the moment. Screen printing allows you to do that.”
Studies show that engaging in creative activities can reduce anxiety, depression, and stress. It can even be used as a tool to process trauma. Artistic processes—even ones as technique-focused as screen printing—offer a productive way to process emotions, whether through visual expression or simply by providing a calming routine. Art therapy often involves hands-on activities like printmaking, as these can encourage a meditative state that helps individuals work through difficult emotions. Screen printing is not just about the final product; it’s about the act of creation itself, which can be uplifting and emotionally fulfilling.
Screen printing’s accessibility and adaptability make it an ideal medium for collaborative projects and community art, as well as for individual wellbeing. Today, artists and community groups alike use screen printing to spread messages, raise awareness, and spark conversations, just like Printed by Us. As a form of engagement, art can be a powerful tool. Whenever art or any creative piece is out in the world, it can spark engagement and conversations in a community. As early as 1938, we saw the National Serigraph Society formed to engage like minded artists!
In Conclusion: The Lasting Legacy of Screen Printing
Screen printing has come a long way since its early days in China, evolving through centuries of innovation to become one of the most versatile and accessible forms of art-making. Today, it’s a practice that bridges fine art and commercial design, a tool for personal expression, and a pathway to connect with others. It has left its mark on everything from fashion to fine art and continues to be a source of inspiration for creatives around the world.
At its heart, screen printing is a celebration of patience, creativity, and community. Whether you’re an artist creating a one-of-a-kind print or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of a well-designed t-shirt, screen printing invites us all to slow down, create, and connect. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful things take time—and that art, in all its forms, has the power to bring us closer to ourselves and to each other, which is something we strongly believe in at Printed by Us.
*References
- https://wnybookarts.org/a-brief-history-of-screenprinting/#:~:text=Screenprinting%20originated%20in%20China%20during,to%20create%20imagery%20on%20fabric.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screen_printing
- https://magazine.artland.com/agents-of-change-silk-screen/ https://www.smcvt.edu/about-smc/news/2023/april/printmaking-class-joins-in-spreading-positive-mental-health-message/
