what is the difference between the old way you do silk screen and when you use those silkscreen machines?

Answer 1

Luci I must disagree in part... I believe there is a lot of merit in learning the skill of hand-printing, and I also believe there is a market out there (albeit a small one) for hand-pulled prints. It's our duty as artists to educate the public on the value of serigraphy and other printing techniques.

Asker - if you want to learn how it's done, and you only need to make a few prints, by all means invest $60 in a small printing kit (Speedball makes 'em). It's an important part of the art process to get your hands dirty! It isn't all that difficult with modern fast-drying water-based inks, though it does require a number of steps - and clean-up is one of the most important ones.

The physical process is pretty much the same for both, though mass-production uses photo emulsion rather than hand-painted or hand-cut stencils to save time.

Answer 2

Cute nickname wonderwom...some day I'll get one! The OLD way was labourious at best, much physical labour, visocity of ink, etc., dependent on humdity & so on, but each print was unique. Thus, "original Print" definition. New methods are tempting, especially since few care about the "meaning" of ORIGINAL PRINT editions anymore. Think about it! Editions of 70,000 are now defined as "original prints" & we're supposed to believe each one has been signed by the artist. HAR. Once, limited original print edtions were valued. The "IMP" signed on the print, meaning the artist had pulled the screens was also relevant. Your investment in your edition had to be "recovered." Now you can get an image on computer, & only produce (pay) when orders come in. Times they are a changin'. That is the only difference I can see, & my choice is to go with the flow--never mind a "purist" attitude. I would have to say that because my income is only from my art work, the choice is up to me. Many upsides, & only subjective downsides. In retrospect, nothing will ever replace the incredible sharing of working with a "master printmaker" but personally, I choose the pragmatic. Cut your losses. Does anyone really "care" anymore? NOPE. I'm not bashing new technology, it can serve you, depending on your goals. Evaluate what is "lost" of YOURSELF by realtistic considerations of "survival." You can still be yourself, but there's a control OUTSIDE of yourself in "machines." & every print is exactly the same. Your choice.

Answer 3

The machine controls the sqeegie

Answer 4

the old way when u use profilm u got to cut it b4 u print now we can use photosilkscreen we can print wateva dsign dat come to your brain