A master scribe or artist could cut the stencil a multiple images could be applied rapidly by less skilled artists. This was the first known attempt at the duplication process that some say is the most versatile of all the methods of applying ink. It is a process of several names. While it is basically a process of stencil printing, this doesn't fully describe the process. Screen printing is one of the five major printing process classifications as defined by the type of plate.
Screen printing is the fifth of all the processes.
The Egyptian process was limited in use as was an early Asian version of stencil printing using large leaves. Holes were cut in the leaves to create the stencil. Early attempts in China and Japan incorporated the use of silk threads to hold delicate center images or voids in place. Later, images were painted on silk cloth to block out the non-printing areas. Ink could then be pressed through the stenciled-silk openings.