What is the key characteristic of screen printing?

Screen printing, also known as silk screening or serigraphy, is distinguished primarily by the method in which ink is applied to a substrate. The key characteristic of screen printing lies in the process where ink is pushed through a fine mesh screen. This screen is typically made of fine threads of fabric, and the areas that do not allow ink to pass through are blocked, creating a stencil effect. This technique allows for the production of vibrant prints on various materials, including paper, fabric, and plastic.

The use of a fine screen enables precise control over the application of ink, allowing for fine details and various layering techniques. This method is widely utilized in various fields, such as textile printing, poster making, and graphic arts, owing to its versatility and the vivid colors it can produce.

Other processes described, such as using a grooved plate, pressing paper onto limestone, or etching with a needle into metal, pertain to different printmaking techniques like relief printing, lithography, and intaglio, respectively. Each of these techniques has its unique characteristics and methods of ink application, but they do not define screen printing specifically.