| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| • A screen print is made by pushing ink through a fine mesh stencil onto paper • The method is prized for flat, even colour and crisp edges • One screen can produce many near-identical prints • It suits bold, graphic art for the home |
What Is a Screen Print?
A screen print is a picture made by pushing ink through a fine mesh screen onto paper or fabric, using a stencil to block out the parts that should stay blank. Because each colour is laid down through its own stencil, the result has flat, even colour and clean edges — the graphic look you see in a lot of modern art. It is sometimes called silkscreen or serigraphy, but the idea is the same: a reusable stencil that lets an artist print the same image again and again.
Think of it as a refined stencil. The artist pushes ink across the screen with a squeegee, and ink only reaches the paper where the stencil is open. It is closer to careful stamping than to painting — but far more precise, and easy to repeat.
Why Artists Use Screen Printing
- Bold colour: The ink sits thick and even, so each colour reads clearly.
- Precise designs: Stencils hold crisp, detailed shapes.
- Repeatable: One set of screens produces many matching prints.
- Layering: Colours print one over another for depth and effect.
Screen Prints in Your Home
The flat colour and graphic edges of screen printing translate beautifully to wall art. Here are prints with that same bold, modern feel:
Bold, Colourful Abstract Prints
These prints lean on strong colour and clean shapes — the same qualities that make screen prints so striking. They work well as a graphic focal point in a modern room.
Contemporary Abstract Minmod 1 Art Print
from R 349.00
Sage Serenity Blend Art Print
from R 395.00
Abstract Reunion Brushstrokes Art Print
from R 395.00
Browse the full range of bold and colourful abstract prints for more in this graphic style.
Vintage Florals and Botanicals
For a softer take on the printmaking tradition, these detailed botanical prints bring a classic, layered look to a wall.
Pink Rose Vintage Botanical Art Print
from R 349.00
Crinum giganteum by Pierre-Joseph Redouté Art Print
from R 349.00
See more in the vintage florals and succulents collection.
Contemporary Landscape Prints
These prints capture nature with a modern, graphic edge — an easy way to bring a sense of the outdoors inside.
Horizon Serenity Art Print
from R 395.00
Whimsical Dancing Trees Art Print
from R 395.00
Rolling Green Views Art Print
from R 395.00
How Screen Printing Works
- Design: The artist creates a design on a computer or by hand.
- Screen prep: A light-sensitive coating goes onto a mesh screen.
- Exposure: The design is placed on the screen and exposed to light, which hardens the coating everywhere the design doesn't block it.
- Washing: The soft, unexposed coating washes away, leaving open areas in the shape of the design.
- Printing: Ink is pushed through those open areas onto the paper below.
- Drying: The print is left to dry, and the image is complete.
Well-Known Screen Print Artists
- Andy Warhol: Made colourful prints of soup cans and famous faces.
- Roy Lichtenstein: His prints echoed the look of comic-book panels.
- Corita Kent: Made bright prints combining words and images.
"Screen printing is the American process par excellence. It's as American as apple pie." - Andy Warhol
Why Screen Prints Suit the Home
- Accessible: Prints make original-feeling art affordable.
- Distinctive: Many are produced in limited runs.
- Easy to frame: Standard sizes fit common frames.
- Variety: From abstract to landscape to pop art, there's a style for every room.
In Short
Screen printing lets an artist lay down bold, even colour and repeat an image with precision — which is exactly why it has shaped so much modern graphic art. Whether you lean toward abstract shapes, botanicals or landscapes, there's a print to suit your wall.
Have a look through the abstract art print collection to find a piece for your space. Every print is made to order in Cape Town, with free shipping nationwide.
