A LOOK BACK IN TIME: THE HISTORY OF SCREEN PRINTING

Though a variety of different term have been used throughout time, the concept of screen printing has been around since 1200 AD. First development in China during the Song dynasty before expanding to other countries in Asian including Japan. It wasn’t until the late 18th century that screen printing was introduced to western europe when silk was widely available for trade resulting in it becoming a profitable option.

Roy Beck, Charles Peter and Edward Owens, three developments would change the screen printing as it’s known today when they introduced photo-imaged stenciling. While the supplies used today are far less toxic than years past, the methods used remain true to form.

Fast forward to the 1960’s and screen printing entered the scene in the United States thanks to Andy Warhol who popularized it as an artistic technique. Many artists have been successful with turning screen printing into an artform since then including Arthur Okamura and Robert Rauschenberg.

Michael Vasilantone, an american-artist and entrepreneur developed and patented the first rotable multi-color garment screen printing machine in 1960. He’s considered to be the godfather of embroidery as we know it today. The original machine was created to print logos and team information on bowling garments but it was soon expanded to t-shirts. If you’re a lover of screen printing and to purchase a vintage bowling shirt, click here.

Screen printing on garments account for over half of the screen printing work done in the United States today making it one of the most popular and vertistile of printing processes according to PNEAC (Printers National Environmental Assistance Center).  Today, graphic printing is widely used to create large-batch wholesale products such as t-shirts, uniforms and even masks.
If you’re a history buff and are interested in learning more about the background of screen printing and how it’s evolved over time, give us a shout.  It’s a great topic to discuss over a burger and beer.

Yours in business,

RJ
Co-owner, Embroidery Factory