ZACC Print Shop

The ZACC Print Shop supports screen, intaglio, relief, monotype, collograph, mixed media, and letterpress printing practices. Addtionally, the ZACC Printshop offers multi-week beginner/intermediate and Advanced Relief and Screen-printing classes and specialty workshops. We also host Printmaking Parties in The ZACC gallery were you can eat, drink and make t-shirts! Having an outdoor event? We can come to you and print t-shirts LIVE! Are you an artist who want to use The ZACC Print Shop to create art? The ZACC Print-shop can be reserved by individuals who have taken a multi-week class, or have equivalent experience.

WHAT IS PRINTMAKING?

A print is any image which can be reproduced. Traditionally, prints are viewed as images produced from plates, blocks, screens, or stones. Plates, blocks, screens, and stones are intermediary surfaces. The picture, design, or message is carved, incised, or etched into these surfaces - then different techniques are used to apply the design onto a surface. 

In screen printing different techniques are used to create, what is basically, a large stencil. The image receives ink and the inked image is transferred to paper using pressure. Pressure is applied using a printing press, through hand burnishing or, in the case of screen printing, with a squeegee. These basic printmaking processes can be repeated, producing nearly exact copies.

HISTORY OF SCREENPRINTING

The screen printing technique has been a vehicle for personal expression since the beginning of recorded time. Artists have used screen-printing to protest during times of social unrest. Early artists used screen-printing methods in China as early as 960 AD during the Song Dynasty; however, early forms of stenciling—a printing method required for screen-printing—were found in caves and date back to the prehistoric period. Screen printing requires the use of several tools, materials and techniques to create the varied and interesting visual results. Today, artists, uniformed services, and printing professionals use the screen-printing method to create posters, stencil graffiti, t-shirts and signs.

SCREEN PRINTING 1960s TO PRESENT

In the 1960s, the United States and other countries experienced a number of social activities, including the Civil Rights era, women’s rights and antiwar movements. Sharing the ideas that motivate movements requires media, and silkscreen printing provided a method to create stunning graphics. Students and artists alike learned how screen-printing techniques could help them produce strong, colorful images faster than other techniques, such as painting. Consequently, screen-printed posters, screen printed t-shirts and other media became an important tool used for artistic expression.