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PrintingPrinting techniques

Printing is the process of making images that can be transferred onto other surfaces. It can be used to make one or more identical images or to create repeating patterns on papers and textiles.

Part of Art and DesignAreas of art and design

Printing techniques

Student horse print on fabric with paper and thread
Printing can involve working with textiles and other surfaces as well as using different techniques
Cut-out printed bird images on bamboo print textile background
Experiment with placing prints on contrasting backgrounds

Printing allows an image to be accurately reproduced a number of times. This process developed to enable of information and images (magazines, posters, fine art pictures), along with the ability to print repeated patterns for fabrics and wallpapers.

Printing techniques include:

  • silkscreen printing
  • block printing
  • monoprinting
  • etching

Each printing technique involves specific and material; for example silkscreen designs can be printed onto fabric or paper using an ink, and block printing is used in a similar manner.

It is worth experimenting with different techniques and surfaces. For example:

  • combine different printing techniques in the same piece
  • print onto different textures and colours of paper, board or fabric
  • try placing your prints onto contrasting, patterned backgrounds, other images or text
  • to further develop your work, you could draw or paint into your prints
  • attach textiles and other materials and objects to add texture and variety
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Silkscreen printing

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