Repeat Color at www.japanese-home-gardens.com

Another variable to be aware of when calculating quantities is the pattern repeat color. The larger the repeat color, the more likely it is that extra rolls will be required. Free-match papers are printed with nondirectional designs that do not require pattern matching, and so involve little wastage. Set-match papers have motifs that repeat color in a straight line across the paper. They, too, can be matched with little wastage, although the overall size of the pattern repeat color will affect the amount of paper required.

Stencil and screen printing. Textiles are sometimes printed by means of stencils. The stencils are made of paper or metal with a hole cut in them to fit a certain portion of the pattern. When they are placed on the cloth in the proper position in relation to the pattern, the dye is pressed through the opening by means of a rubber strip called a "squeegee." The stencil is then moved to the same position in the next repeat color. If the pattern is elaborate, many stencils are required, making the process very slow and costly. As a substitute for this, screen-printing was invented in the early years of the 20th century. In this process the stencil consists of a large sheet of fine silk stretched and mounted on a frame that is the same dimension as the whole repeat color and width of the fabric. The yardage is laid flat on a long table. The number of frames required is the same as the number of colors in the pattern. The complete pattern is drawn on each framed stretch. Each stretch is completely varnished except for the portions of the pattern that are of the same color. The complete series of frames produce stencils for every color for an entire repeat color of the pattern. These frames are then carefully and consecutively placed over each repeat color and the dye is brushed or squeezed through the unvarnished portion of the pattern. When all the frames have been used for the full length of the fabric, the stencilling or screen printing is complete. Some of the most charming silk and cotton fabrics are made in this manner. The process permits longer repeat colors than cylinder printing and a more Flexible use of color resembling that of the former hand-blocked processes.

If an owner has selected a painting as an important decorative feature, it is advantageous to repeat color the colors of the painting in the color scheme of the room. Small pictures can not be used for this purpose, and unless they are unusually inharmonious with the selected color scheme they may be considered as color accents or disregarded. It is agreeable'to relate the subject matter of pictures to the character and use of the room as well as to the interests of the owner.