Screen Printing is Here to Stay
Not too long ago, in the middle of the 20th century, screen printing was a integral part of art education. Students were proud of making their own designs, selecting colors and distributing their prints.
Then digital printing led to a creative dark age. Art teachers watched in dismay as students outsourced the printing process, and lost touch with handcrafting.
Luckily, a whole new era of school screen printing has begun. Screen printing is making its great comeback.
We are at the forefront of this evolution. Our founder Erbil Sivaslıoğlu is using his engineering skills to design a new generation of screen printing equipment - which is extremely student friendly.
About the Robert College
Founded in 1863, Robert College is the oldest continuously operating American school outside the United States.
Robert College's Leap of Faith
After learning about our improvements - the Robert College art team decided to experiment with the technique.
In celebration of sustainable design, the school hosted Bitti Gitti Design Studio for a week long creative arts residency. Over one third of the school body tried screen printing for the first time.
After seeing the positive impact on students and clubs, the art department decided to set up a permanent screen printing workshop.
We provided all the equipment, and continue to advise on the design to print process.
Stories of Screen Printing at Robert College
In a world where information is available to all, we believe students can use design to filter and present this information in the best way possible.
That is why learning design skills is vital for every student, no matter which major they plan on studying at university.
Screen printing is an excellent way to combine design with the instant positive feedback of making a long-lasting durable print.
Below are some student screen printing stories:
Prep classes designing their own class logos
Freshman classes in Robert College are composed of first year students. To help them bond with each other, it was decided that each class would design their own class logo.
The designs were made using a mix of sketching on paper, AI software like Midjourney, and vector design programs.
Using the Bitti Gitti Exposure Unit, the designs were transferred onto lightweight wooden frames. Students printed their designs together using water based inks.
These t-shirts were worn throughout the school year, proof of how effective they were in bringing students together.
School clubs printing their own merch
Robert College has about 100 student activity clubs as of 2015. Over 20 of these clubs decided to switch their merch from digital printing to screen printing.
This accelerated the school's goal of lowering carbon emissions, as printing in-house led to a considerable reduction in carbon footprint compared to outsourcing production.
Printing their own merch, students also learned about how each material reacted differently to the inks - cotton being the most absorbent and synthetic textiles like polyester being less. This led them to become more aware with their consumption.
Peer learning and collaboration
As students experimented with screen printing techniques, their confidence grew. Live demonstrations allowed classmates to observe and learn from each other.
Students began helping each other during their free time. Cooperation was evident at every stage, from cleaning screens, to drying their prints and sharing design tips.
This spirit of collaboration strengthened the learning experience and created a supportive community.
Enthusiastic and Curious Teachers
Teachers showed great interest in the program and directed a wide range of questions to Sivaslıoğlu.
This intense participation revealed the program's broad appeal and inspiring power within the institution.
Impact: Learning by Doing at Robert College
Screen printing's hands-on approach had a significant impact on both students and staff, demonstrating the benefits of experiential learning and sustainable practices. Some benefits below:
Strategic Design Approach
Students learned to adapt their designs for printing, beginning to think critically about color limitations and printing techniques.
Resource Management
Decisions to conserve white paint due to environmental concerns, and prefer more sustainable inks provided valuable lessons in sustainability and prioritization.
Skill Acquisition
Participants gained practical skills such as screen printing, color mixing, and design adaptation.
Peer Education
With increasing confidence, students supported each other to reinforce their own learning and leadership abilities.
Inter-Club Collaboration
Cooperation between different clubs and classes strengthened the sense of unity around a common purpose.
Faculty-Student Interaction
Enthusiastic participation by teachers improved relationships between academic staff and students and increased mutual respect.
Community Engagement
Such programs strengthen institutional bonds and support a culture of collaboration.
