Media

10/30/2011

In the area of Printmaking, media refers to the means in which the artwork was created.

Stencil
A stencil is a thin sheet of paper, plastic, steel, or other material that has a design that is cut out of it. The stencil is then placed over a surface and by using another medium, such as paint, the cut out design is transferred over to the surface. Stencils have mainly been used for letters, symbols, and artwork as well.

The Barack Obama HOPE poster (2008) by Shepard Fairey is an example of artwork that was done using a stencil. The original image from which the color design was stenciled on was an Associated Press photograph from 2006.

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Screen printing

Media

In screen printing, a woven mesh is used along with a stencil. The stencil then pushes the intended image through the screen. The ink is then applied over the stencil and screen, and the image is transferred through the open areas of the mesh. Screen printing is also called silkscreen when the design is already on the woven mesh, or silk, and the ink is transferred to the surface through the design.

Details of Renaissance Paintings (Sandro Botticelli, Birth of Venus, 1482) (1984) by Andy Warhol is an example of silk screening. The media used in this piece of artwork in particular are acrylic and silkscreen on linen.

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Digital illustration

10/30/2011

This media is used by means of a digital computer illustration/drawing program and commonly with a graphics tablet or a computer mouse. Digital illustrations are created directly by the artist and the image is not generated by the computer itself. Examples of digital illustration programs are Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Paint, GIMP, and various online web applications.

Dots on the Is (2009) by Angel Luis Arambilet Alvarez (ARAMBILET) is an example of a digital illustration.

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Offset printing
Offset printing is a form of printing in which an image is contained on a plate and then passes through a rubber blanket, and then the intended printing surface. The water and ink are delivered from separate rollers to the plate cylinder.

Media

This sample printing of a calendar is an example of offset printing. The benefits of offset printing are high quality resolutions, more paper options, and it is cost efficient for large amounts as well.

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Digital printing

10/30/2011

Digital printing is a form of printing in which an image is commonly printed using laser and inkjet printers. An image printed with a laser printer is done so by using monochrome and/or colored toner that is charged, developed, transferred, and then fused onto the surface. Images that are printed with an inkjet printer are done so by using ink cartridges that propel droplets of ink onto the surface to form an image.

This is an example of a print from an industrial ink printer. The advantages of digital printing are cost efficiency for low quantities, no hassle of preparing an image plate, and instant proofing. However, there are noticeable differences between offset and digital printing, such as pixilation in digital prints.

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Courtesy to Universal Printing