Screenprinting: The Ultimate Studio Guide
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Author: Print Club London
Publisher: Princeton Architectural Press
Year Published: 2018
Dimensions: 8.5in. x 11.5in.
Pages: 281
Screenprinting: The Ultimate Studio Guide from Sketchbook to Squeegee is the Holy Grail of screen printing manuals. Written by Print Club London, this manual guides screen printing novices through the field from creating an idea to final production. Filled with advice, step-by-step tutorials, artists profiles, and countless examples of screen printed work, this book is the go-to guide.
This book begins with a concise history of analogous printing that lead to the invention of screen printing. It continues with the needed tools and materials, printing substrates, and inks one may need to begin printing. After that begins the tutorials, which walk readers through various types of screen printing processes like creating a stencil, exposing the screen, printing, and cleaning the screen.
There is tutorial after tutorial to work through any problem a novice [and pro] may face. This book also delves into various screen printing methods like monoprinting, stenciling, foilstamping, and using halftone. Just when I think this book can’t go on anymore, it continues by including the business advice of presenting prints in galleries, selling prints through a self-run business, and curating a collection. This is a true manual that walks readers through the, literal, entire process.
Although this book covers a large range of information, it is important to note that it does not gloss over any subject. All of the tutorials feature detailed explanations. There is also photographic diagrams alongside the written instructions to help visual learners.
One of my favorite parts of this book is how Print Club London selected the artists for the artists spotlight. Each artist focuses on different types of screen printing processes, allowing each one the opportunity to write about their processes that push the boundaries of printing. This creates diversity in the types of work being showcased, helping novices gain a well-rounded perspective of what can be produced.
Although the main purpose of this book is to serve as a manual, it is designed exceptionally well. Don’t get me wrong, the layouts aren’t experimental and they aren’t visually inspiring. But, the layout is perfect. It is consistent, modular, and it doesn’t provide usability issues. Matter of fact, the design is perfect for the intention of the book; to present vast amounts of information in an efficient and easy to comprehend manner. Physically, this book is large in order to accommodate all of the information. It is thick, making it feel substantial. The paper used is an uncoated, matte stock that is a comfortable weight that is neither thick or thin.
Although most of the book is designed to be utilitarian, there are playful moments where swashes of ink are included. These swashes not only build some dimension and interest in the layout, but they also take the stress away of keeping this book pristine. Because at the end of the day, if this book is being used alongside a novice in the print studio, it’s going to get messy.
