Screen printing is an ancient method amid an upsurge in popularity in the modern era. This may initially seem at odds with current trends, as after all, we are living in a fast-paced and digital world where soulless products fill our shelves. This is the exact reason why older methods are making a comeback.
Many of us are exhausted by low-effort products and methods that lack craftsmanship, craving items and designs that embody a more human spirit. People recognise the value of vibrant, bold and enduring screen-printed items, and modern companies are working hard to supply this demand.
In this article, we break down the factors motivating the resurgence in popularity of this printing method. We define exactly what this method is and how it works, provide a brief history, its initial decline in popularity, what its appeal is in the modern age, introduce who is driving the comeback, and describe how modern methods are helping the process.
At Screen Image, we are a South African screen printing company that prides itself on superb products driven by a heavy investment in cutting-edge equipment and highly trained staff, as well as a deep dedication to quality and individual attention to all of our clients.
What Is Screen Printing And How Does It Work?
Screen printing is an age-old method of producing bold and vibrant designs. It begins with the creation of a design, which forms the basis of a stencil. This stencil is then placed across a screen (traditionally made from silk, but now from polyester) before the entire thing is treated with a light-sensitive emulsion and placed in a dark room.
Once dried, it is exposed to light and hardened, except for where the stencil sits. At this point, the screen bearing the stencilled design can be carefully placed over the desired material, whether that be self-adhesive vinyl, PVC plastic, fibreboard, or any other suitable material. Ink is poured over the screen, but it only moves through the stencilled area, the rest having been made impermeable by the emulsion.
Using some sort of squeegee by hand or machine, the ink is pressed through the screen, penetrating into the material below. Once this has been completed, the screen is removed and the treated item left to dry and cure, to prevent smudging and guarantee the best vibrancy and durability for the final product.
A Brief History
Screen printing is a method that’s been with us for hundreds of years, first developed around the Song Dynasty (960 AD) in China. It reigned as one of the most popular printing methods of the area and quickly spread to nearby Japan, where it gained similar popularity and was adapted to local styles and materials. In both of these regions, the printing method was most often used to create visually striking designs.
These early forms used screens made from silk, and products made this way were often considered luxury items. It only reached the Western world much later, skyrocketing in popularity during the 20th century. This is because in the occident, the printing method was adapted to larger industrial use, leader to larger commercial use overall.
The golden age of screen printing was during the period between 1960 and 1990, becoming a staple image of pop culture and fashion staples like band merch. It was at the end of this era that this centuries-old printing method saw a slight decline in popularity.
Why Screen Printing Briefly Fell Out of Favour
The primary driver behind screen printing’s initial decline in popularity came with the arrival of new competitive printing methods, such as digital printing. Digital printing differed because of its convenience and efficiency. Digital printing can also produce more detailed images than previously possible, as it works by placing each drop of ink individually, rather than in larger stencils.
Digital printing proved to be more efficient for producing short runs or one-off designs, which coincided with a shift toward an on-demand style of production and an increase in custom orders for personalised designs. While digital printing methods are incredibly useful, they are not suitable for everything, and businesses soon realised the value of screen printing for creative commercial branding purposes.
The Revival: Why Screen Printing Remains So Popular Today
This desire for durability and authenticity in designs has sparked a move towards more artisanal methods of production, including the ever-reliable screen printing. The process for screen printing is also relatively low-cost for high-volume orders, and maintains a consistent standard of quality across the prints. From the automotive industry to packaging, durable screen prints are the preferred method.
And more than simply looking for screen-printed products in the market, an upsurge in DIY culture has seen many enthusiastic crafters involve themselves in the creation process of screen-printed items, rather than simply purchasing the finished product.
Irrespective of whether the prints are on PVC plastic, vinyl, plastic floor coverings, or fibreboard, people are being reminded of the appeal of high-quality prints that hold incredible vibrancy and boldness, not to mention artistic value. You may have also noticed a recent upsurge in more retro printing trends, which rely heavily on older design methods like screen printing to create dynamic and durable products.
Screen Printing’s Unique Appeal in a Digital Age
A big part of the appeal of screen printing is creating particularly vibrant and bold designs that immediately stand out and catch the eye. Moreover, screen printing leaves these designs incredibly durable, holding their vibrancy for long, even after many washes and exposure to elements, an important factor when producing for outdoor advertising, such as in the form of billboards or posters.
This method also stands out due to its versatility. Screen-printed materials are widespread, and include a range of options, such as PVC plastic, self-adhesive vinyl, Chromadek, Perspex, corrugated board, ABS, foam board, and a lot more. This makes it viable for creating a broad range of products across multiple industries
One of the other major appeals of the method is its ability to work with speciality inks such as metallic or glow-in-the-dark ink, opening up a new host of creative possibilities for both individuals and businesses alike. Although on a small scale, methods such as digital printing are cheaper to employ, screen printing remains an affordable choice when producing larger batches of product, and the range of materials that can be printed on is much wider.
Digital Meets Analogue: The Hybrid Future
Today, businesses are marrying the best of both worlds by refining this ancient printing method with the most modern machinery and digital tools. The production of screen-printed products has been heavily aided by modern innovations such as design software, which allows for the initial process of creation to be done with efficiency and precision.
In terms of production, laser-cut stencils allow us to work faster and more precisely without sacrificing the quality or feel that the products are so sought-after for. Most screen-printing companies also won’t shy away from more modern methods of digital printing when it comes to producing prototype designs for clients to evaluate, helping give a clearer image of the final product before large-scale production kicks into place, allowing them to request any changes if needed.
Modern methods also come into play after production, with social media tools such as Instagram and TikTok being powerful marketing tools. Ironically, the trend towards more retro and vintage products and lifestyle is at its biggest on these modern social media platforms, where you can gain plenty of traction with the right visual aesthetic. Any savvy business should be able to use social media to promote high-quality products that look good, helping make their business a living part of this growing trend.
Screen Image And The Future of Printing
Many people and businesses around the world are fuelling the demand for screen-printed products and artworks. The more individual elements include independent artists, printmakers and musicians. Larger groups and businesses, such as industrial companies, are driving a major demand.
At Screen Image, we’re committed to providing creative branding solutions for local and international businesses. As a South African company founded in 1984, we have spent many decades honing our craft while working for small and big brands alike, the latter including international household names such as Nestlé, Red Bull and Old Spice. Why are we favoured by these colossal brand names? Our superb quality across all of our services.
We run our business with pride, investing heavily in the most cutting-edge machinery and highly trained staff. These methods together allow us to produce prints of nigh unparalleled quality, even when applied to large-scale production. On top of working for big brands at a large scale, we also have the capacity to work on one-off custom designs or using speciality methods that require the most knowledgeable experts and advanced modern-day machinery.
Outside of our screen printing services, we also have digital printing services. We can produce high-resolution, photorealistic, large-format digital prints for all of your needs. In addition, we also have services for label printing and overprinting, making us one of the most reliable full-service printing businesses in the country.
Although we run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and produce a massive capacity of screen-printed products, we still consider ourselves to be a small business. This means treating every client with the utmost priority, promising to deliver service of unparalleled quality. We can adapt to your needs as flexibly as possible, react and redirect as you require, and respond to any queries or issues you may have whenever you need.
Conclusion
In conclusion, screen printing is making a long-awaited resurgence in popularity after decades of comparative silence. For centuries, this artisanal process of creating vibrant and enduring designs was a cherished means of creating valuable objects, only falling out of favour once modern methods proved to be more convenient, inexpensive and flexible.
These same modern methods have flooded our markets with products that lack personality and soul, making the general populace fatigued. This has awakened a desire for more retro and vintage lifestyle, which screen-printed products have played a major part in. Artists, small businesses, musicians and large industrial businesses are among the many parties driving the demand for screen-printed products, and Screen Image is working to supply it, using the best of the old and modern world to do so.
At Screen Image, we’re dedicated to providing commercial and creative branding solutions for businesses across the country, as well as overseas. To learn more about what we do or to book your next print, give us a call at +27 21 510 0488 today!