About Silk Screen Frames
Silk screen frames are used to support the process of silk screening--a printing technique that involves the use of wire mesh to transfer paint or ink to a desired material. A stencil is applied to the wire mesh, and the paint or ink is pressed through the mesh using a roller, leaving a print in the shape of the stencil. The purpose of the rectangular frame is to keep an even strain on the mesh while ink is being forced through the gaps, allowing for a neat result. This process also is referred to as screen printing and serigraph, as silk is no longer used.
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History
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Silk screening, though developed in China in the Middle Ages and brought to Western Europe in the16th century, did not become popular until the early 20th century. Originally, silk screening involved stretching human hair across a frame made of wood and applying a leaf stencil. The modern process was heavily influenced by Samuel Simon of Manchester, who used silk stretched on wood frames in order to support his hand-painted stencils. Later frames supported the reusable wire mesh artists employ today.
Types
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Frames are most often made of wood or hollow aluminum tubing, and can be bought pre-made or are put together by the artist himself. A frame can also be made with hollow plastic tubing. Differences in frame type are usually seen in terms of screen tension, or how tightly an artist can affix a screen to the frame. Some frames include tension adjusters and locks to hold the screen firmly in place.
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Size
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A frame can be made in almost any size imaginable, so long as the frame can still support a good screen tension. Some easy frames come equipped with size adjusters, though most projects will require a new frame done in permanent dimensions for the greatest stability. Frame dimensions are determined by the desired size of the printed image.
Considerations
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There are advantages and disadvantages to each existing type of silk screen frame. The ideal frame is durable and lightweight, but still strong enough to hold the mesh taut. Aluminum frames are often too heavy due to the welding at the sides. Wooden frames, though common, do not always stand up to the rigor of multiple washings. Plastic frames are both light and low in cost, but often are not strong enough to hold the screen tension without some modifications.
Benefits
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Bad screen tension leads to uneven image printing, and is a direct result of the type of frame used. Without a strong frame, ink and paint could not be accurately applied to an artist's selected materials. In both the art world and the commercial world, silk screening frames are used to apply inked designs in many colors to posters, t-shirts and other fabrics, metals, wood, and any type of paper.
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