Humans have been dying fabric ever since times started. It
is no secret that there are countless of techniques, industrial and DIY
involved in the process of putting color and prints into woven surfaces. Some
of the most artisanal techniques are Batik, which is based on wax to create
patters, the most well known tie-dye, woodblock printing, which is an Indian
specialized technique, and one of the most common, yet sophisticated techniques
– silk screening.
This technique can be practiced at home, at the same time
that the most high-end labels also use it to print unique motives into their
fabrics. A silk Hermès scarf can be silk screened with more than 40 different
patterns – one for each color – at the same time that someone at home can make
a cool t-shirt or a canvas tote out of one and only screen. The possibilities
are endless, and the process is pretty much 100% manual.
In order to work with silk screens, the specialized textiles
designer or artisan uses a woven mesh that acts as a blocking stencil. The
fabric has to be placed on a flat surface. After the screen in located in the
right place on top of the fabric, ink is poured horizontally on the screen, and
a blade is then slid across the length of the screen, and back. This enables the
ink to flow uniformly within the mesh pattern on the screen, and no residues
are left behind. Only the open mesh areas can transfer ink into the materials,
and it’s possible to see the result instantaneously.
Also, any kind of flat surface can be printed, starting with
natural fiber fabrics to canvases, and even knits.
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| Erica Tanov's totes being silk-screened |
Take a look from the Hermès demonstrations in San Francisco,
and Erica Tanov’s unique tote designs and production.
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| Final Tote |
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| Hermès printing demonstration |
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