What characteristic feature does screen printing utilize when applying colors?

Screen printing is characterized by utilizing a stencil that is attached to a fabric, which serves as the basis for the printing process. This technique involves creating a design on a mesh screen, where areas of the screen that are not part of the design are blocked out, allowing the ink to pass only through the open areas. When ink is pushed through these openings onto the material beneath, it directly transfers the design onto the substrate, resulting in a layered effect if multiple colors are applied, each through separate stencils.

This method is distinct from others mentioned. Layering pigments is a characteristic of various painting techniques but does not specifically define screen printing. Using a digital projector pertains to digital art or projection techniques rather than traditional printmaking methods like screen printing. Manipulating clay forms is related to sculpture and ceramics, which falls outside the realm of printing processes. Therefore, the nature of screen printing relies fundamentally on the use of stencils fixed to a fabric, making it an essential element of this printing technique.