Imprenta de Mindanao

Home grown clothing lines are now emerging as expressions on shirt among locals. These clothing lines uses mostly use screen printing to print graphic designs that are contemporary in aesthetics and have attitude expressions. Screen printing process is done first by placing a fine mesh screen, which is stretched tightly over a wooden frame, above a piece of paper. Then textile paint is forced through the screen with a squeegee or a rubber blade. *About 1900 Screen printing was first developed and used in advertising.

Eventually it was popularised by American Pop artists like Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg, and Andy Warhol, as well as other contemporary art movements. Using modern technology with UV sensitive photo emulsions, images can be created on transparent film and then replicated exactly on a nylon screen coated with light sensitive (UV) emulsion. The latter is applied to the whole screen which is then overlaid with the film upon which the artist has drawn his design, and both are exposed to UV light.

The light passes through the transparent film, except where the artist’s design prevents it. On those parts of the screen exposed to the light, the emulsion hardens. When the screen is then washed, all the emulsion is removed except for the hardened areas, thus creating a stencil on the screen that exactly matches the design down to the smallest detail. (Sources at visualartscork.com)

Imprenta de Mindanao is a two days screen printing workshop on Spot Color, Halftone process, CMYK Process, special effects, simulated process, screen stretching and simulated process. This activity was held last June 8-9, 2019 at the Sonrisa Vista Beach Resort in Bayabas, Cagayan de Oro City. More than 20 participants joined the screen printing workshops and the participants came from all over Mindanao as far as Surigao City and Digos City.

This activity was organized by Mr. Charles Putis of Isle of Ophir Clothing to further promote unity among screen printing artists all over Mindanao and with the camaraderie can further share ideas on how to improve the silkscreen industry in the region. Guest instructor and founder of Imprenta de Filipinas Mr. Joel Gariando who are now on its second round of trainings here in Cagayan de Oro are very enthusiastic in seeing the development of local screen printing artists in these areas.

It is the passion of Imprenta de Filipinas to really reach out colleagues in the industry to upgrade its craft and be competitive not just locally but also internationally. After Cagayan de Oro Imprenta de Filipinas will go to Butane City, Koranadal City and the team is hoping to reach out local printmakers in Marawi City and help in developing their livelihood.

(Rhyan Casiño, feature writer, is a member of the Rotary Club of West Cagayan de Oro and Chairman of Dire Husi Initiatives, Inc. recipient of the national award Ten Accomplished Youth Organization or TAYO. For comments/suggestions please send to direhusi.rhyan@gmail.com)